Harvest regimen changes sericea lespedeza condensed tannin, fiber and protein concentrations
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
AbstractSericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont de Courset] G. Don.; SL) is a perennial, warmseason legume containing condensed tannins (CT) that can play important roles in ruminant ecosystems. Our research objective was to determine seasonlong average herbage CT fractions, crude protein (CP) and fiber concentrations under three harvest regimens for SL cv. AU Grazer at five locations within the southeastern USA during 2010. Harvest regimens were regrowth every 35days (35day), previously uncut plots every 35days (ACCUM), or regrowth when height reached 40cm (40cm). We found harvest regimen by location interactions (P0.05) for all dependent variables. The ACCUM plants usually had greater (P0.05) fiber concentrations where there were differences, except for the Louisiana location. The lowest (114g kg1; P0.05) CP concentrations were measured in ACCUM plants at the driest location (Texas) while the highest (181g kg1 for North Carolina plants) came from the 35day regimen. Total CT (TCT) concentration varied (P0.05) from a low of 61.1g kg1 for ACCUM plants in Louisiana to 100.7g kg1 for Texas plants harvested from 35day plots. In summary, harvest regimen influenced SL nutrient and CT concentrations. Fiber concentration was better correlated (0.621 for acid detergent fiber; P0.05) with TCT than CP (0.014; P=0.82). Sericea lespedeza regrowth harvested every 35days had higher seasonlong average TCT concentrations in two of five locations along with greater CP and less fiber concentrations in four of five locations compared to the ACCUM regimen.
