Xanthophyll Levels in Turfgrass Clippings1

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Abstract
Xanthophylls include various plant pigments that are important in poultry diets for skin and yolk coloration. The recent use of turfgrass clippings as a source of xanthophyll for inclusion in poultry feed is a significant development since there are vast acreages of turf that could supply considerable amounts of clippings from routine mowing. The purpose of this study was to determine the xanthophyll levels in clippings from various turfgrass species and cultivars, and the effects of increasing nitrogen (N) fertilization on the xanthophyll concentration in the leaves.Clippings from 20 cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), 4 of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were analyzed for noneproxide xanthophyll (lutein). Levels ranges from 72 to 358 mg lutein per kg of clipping fresh weight depending upon species and cultivar. Increasing N fertilization resulted in significant but small lutein increases in Kentucky bluegrass clippings.

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