Author : Farida Zulkarnaen

Summary : Rice herbage from 24 cultivars consisting of lowland and deepwater rice varietis were cut at 40 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) at height approximating the collar of the last fully developed leaf. The rice herbage samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD). The herbage yield obtained from lowland rice cultivars were higher than those of the deepwater rice cultivars. Significantly higher herbage yields (P<0.05) were obtained at 60 DAT. The mean herbage yields among cultivars were significantly different (P<0.05) at 40 and 60 DAT cutting interval. Lower DM content (P<0.05) was obtained at 40 DAT. However, DM content were similar among cultivars. Deepwater rice cultivars had generally higher CP contents than the lower rice cultivars. Crude protein content was significantly affected (P<0.05) by cultivars and cutting interval. Higher CP content (P<0.05) was obtained at 40 DAT. Similar levels of NDF contents was observed among cultivars, but a significant (P<0.05) difference was observed between the pruning stages. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in ADF contents among cultivars and pruning stages. Hemicellulose contents were significantly (P<0.05) different between pruning stages but not among cultivars. The in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD) was significantly different (P<0.05) among cultivars and pruning stages. IVTDMD was negatively correlated with DM, NDF, and ADF. CP, however, was negatively correlated with DM and NDF. Rice herbage cut at 40 or 60 DAT have high IVTDMD coupled with high levels of CP and low NDF. Rice herbage is similar to legumes and would serve as good supplement to enhance the feeding value of the low quality roughages.