Effect of the waxy gene of sorghum on protein solubility and ruminal digestion

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the recessive waxy mutant gene and reconstruction on ruminal digestibility and protein solubility. Ruminal dry matter digestibility was significantly affected by trial, time and treatment. Ruminal dry matter digestibility values ranged from, 33.64 to 45.16 percent (mean 40.74 percent) at 24 hr, 62.35 to 67.82 percent (mean 66.51 percent) at 48 hr and 69.44 to 75.27 percent (mean 72.36 percent) at 72 hours. Waxy Redlan was significantly (P<.05) more digestible than nonwaxy Redlan varieties. The protein distribution in dry and reconstituted sorghum was significantly affected by reconstruction and grain variety. The percent soluble protein in fraction I, of hetero-yellow and waxy Redlan was significantly (P<.05) increased by reconstitution (18.52 vs. 19.58 percent and 16.45 vs. 19.29 percent, respectively). The percent soluble protein in fraction V of hetero-yellow, waxy Redlan and nonwaxy Redlan was significantly decreased by reconstitution (29.28 vs. 25.11 percent, 34.62 vs. 30.94 percent and 32.89 vs. 28.95 percent, respectively). ...