The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of leaf/stem ratio (L/S) in the in situ dry matter degradability (ISDMD) of elephantgrass clones. The experiment was carried out at IPA Experimental Station, in Vitória de Stº. Antão, PE. Two groups of elephantgrass clones were studied: GROUP I (Cameroon, Mercker México, Três Rios, Elefante de Pinda and Guaçu/IZ), characterized by its high L/S ratio, and GROUP II (CE 08 A.D., Taiwan A-25, Goiano, CE 03 A.D. and Merc.), with low L/S ratio. Samples of whole plant harvested in the 60th day of growth in the dry period were dried and milled and incubated in the rumen of the two crossbred bovines for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 hours to determine the ISDMD and ruminal fermentation parameters. The experimental design was randomized blocks in split-plot arrangement. There wasn't any significant difference between groups of elephantgrass as defined by their ISDMD. The degradation characteristics averaged 79.40, 69.10, 26.90, 52.60, 20.60%, and 5.50%/h for potential degradability, effective degradability, soluble fraction, potentially degradable fraction, no degraded fraction, and degradation rate, respectively. The leaf/stem ratio did not influence the ISDMD of elephantgrass clones.
dry period; in situ degradability; morphology
