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A model describing the relationship between electrical conductivity and forage dry matter content

The correlation between dry matter (DM) content, electrical conductivity (EC) and ash content was found to be linear in grass and alfalfa during drying. While minerals in grass and alfalfa were very stable components during drying, their concentrations and EC increase accordingly; therefore, the EC value could serve as a measurement to determine DM content. Results indicated that EC measurement in grass and alfalfa during drying was simple, accurate, fast and easily repeatable, and could serve as an alternative method for DM determination.

Electrical conductivity; dry matter; rye grass; alfalfa


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