Journal article

Publication year: 1994

Pages: 127-135

Journal: Angewandte Botanik

Volume number: 68

Issue number: 3-4

ISSN: 0066-1759

Publisher: Vereinigung für Angewandte Botanik

Abstract: 

The present paper is part of an ecological overall analysis in the Department of Atacora in Benin (West-Africa) and covers the complex of pasture resources which consists of the detailed determination of the totality of pasture resources, the determination of the quality of natural and available pasture components as well as their utlization depending on the season.

The forage plants found in this Department - 102 kinds of natural pasture and 9 kinds of cultivated cultures, the harvest residues of which are utilized as animal pasture - were identified and sampled by animal observations in the frame of accompanying pasturage observations. The quality analysis of the samples was based on the pasture-specific parameters of raw protein, raw cellulose, raw lignine, raw ash, acid-detergent fiber, in vitro-digestibility as well as of the French pasture evaluation unit ''Unite fourragere'' and the metabolizable energy. The samples originated from both the multifunctional pasturage observations (S = 879) and from the samples taken in the frame of the phytomass determination of dominant savanna types (S = 744). Furthermore, samples (S = 97) of allochthone forage plants were analyzed, which were tested in the frame of the project ''Promotion de l'elevage dans l'Atacora'' in ''on-'' and ''off-farming'' test series. A total of 1,720 samples were analyzed for their pasture value using the near infrared-reflection spectroscopy (NIRS). Owing to this method, the number of samples to be analyzed using wet-chemistry methods could be reduced to 30 % without jeopardizing the accuracy of the analysis results.

Thus, the near infrared-reflection spectroscopy has proved its capability and practical use - like for many other application cases (PAUL, 1989) - also for the efficient analysis of the extremely heterogenous plant stocks of natural tropical pastures (grasses in different stadiums of growth, leaves, fruits, pods and blossoms of forage trees and shrubs, herbs and creepers) and of harvest residues. Beside the analytical advantages of this method, e.g. nondestructive analysis of the sample materials, its future importance is to be seen in the quick broadening of information bases of quality values of tropical forage plants at low costs, an advantage of particular significance when targe sample quantities are to be analyzed.

Harvard Citation style: JENISCH, T., PAUL, C. and KUNZE, C. (1994) APPLICATION OF THE NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE FEEDSTUFF ANALYSIS OF TROPICAL FORAGE PLANTS, Journal of applied botany = Angewandte Botanik, 68(3-4), pp. 127-135

APA Citation style: JENISCH, T., PAUL, C., & KUNZE, C. (1994). APPLICATION OF THE NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE FEEDSTUFF ANALYSIS OF TROPICAL FORAGE PLANTS. Journal of applied botany = Angewandte Botanik. 68(3-4), 127-135.