Distribution of Dry Matter and Chemical Constituents in Plant Parts of Four Florida Native Grasses

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Abstract
Because of the selective nature of grazing livestock, the use of whole plant samples to estimate the nutritional potential of forages may be misleading. During this 2-yr study, the distribution of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and concentration of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were determined in the individual leaf blades, leaf sheaths, nodes plus internodes and infloresences of creeping bluestem (Schizachyrium stoloniferum), lopsided indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum), maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta) when they were in the anthesis stage of maturity. Most of the DM was in the nodes plus internodes (average 45%), while the leaf blades (average 18%) generally made up the smallest amount of the total plant DM. In a progression from the bottom to top of the plant the CP, IVOMD and most of the mineral concentration of the different leaf blades, sheaths and nodes plus internodes increased. Crude protein, IVOMD and most of the minerals of the grasses were higher in leaf blades, followed by sheaths and nodes plus internodes. When compared with other grasses, maidencane had a higher proportion of CP and minerals in the leaves and nodes plus internodes and a higher percentage of plant weight in these parts. Wiregrass was similar to creeping bluestem and indiangrass in CP and most minerals, but IVOMD of wiregrass parts were lower. Dietary requirements for dry, pregnant cows for P, N, Mg and Cu might not be met by any part of the 4 grasses, while apparently adequate levels of Fe, Mn and Zn could be provided by each part. Leaf blades and infloresences had sufficient Ca concentrations for dry pregnant cows.

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