Abstract

Dry matter digestibility (DDM) was determined the in vivo nylon bag technique on two cuttings of low- and high-tannin sericea plants (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont] G. Don). Low-tannin sericea was higher in DDM than normal or high-tannin sericea. Differences in DDM were indicated among low- and high-tannin genotypes. Low-tannin plants increased in tannin content relatively little from the first to the second cutting compared to high-tannin plants. The second cutting of low- and high-tannin plants averaged as high in DDM as the first cutting. Tannin and DDM were negatively correlated only when low- and high-tannin plants were combined except for the second cutting of low-tannin plants. Data indicate a tannin threshold in sericea which is critical in relation to DDM.

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