Chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of indigenous finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in Botswana

Abstract

Samples of three finger millet landraces NPGRC 3001, NPGRC 3002 and NPGRC 3003 were obtained during the vegetative stage (80 days growth) and from straw. They were analysed for ash, Cu and IVDMD. NPGRC 3001 had the highest IVDMD (62.6% DM), while NPGRC 3002 had the highest ash (15.1% DM), NDF (72.6% DM) and ADF (41.3% DM) content. CP was positively correlated to NDF-N (r = 0.57; P<0.001) and to IVDMD (r = 0.40; P<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between IVDMD and ADF (r = -0.69; P<0.001) consistent with the negative effect of ADF on energy content of forages. The amount of protein in straw was lower than that of the vegetative form, but was well above what would be expected in natural grass harvested at full maturity.