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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223161
Title: Reduced ferulate cross link concentration is associated with improved fiber digestibility of corn stover at silage maturity

Author
item Jung, Hans Joachim
item PHILLIPS, RONALD - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Joint Abstracts of the American Dairy Science and Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2008
Publication Date: 7/7/2008
Citation: Jung, H.G., Phillips, R.L. 2008. Reduced ferulate cross link concentration is associated with improved fiber digestibility of corn stover at silage maturity [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 91(E-Supplement 1):170.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ferulate cross linking of lignin to arabinoxylan is correlated with fiber digestibility in perennial cool-season grasses; however, similar data have not been reported for warm-season grasses. Our objective was to determine if ferulate cross links are associated with fiber digestibility in corn stover. Four corn lines selected for low ferulate ester concentration in seedling leaves, parental control line, and backcross lines were evaluated for NDF, ADL, and ferulate cross links, and in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) of leaf blades, sheaths, and stems at silage maturity. Low ferulate corn lines had lower concentrations of NDF, and less ADL and ferulate cross links as a proportion of NDF, and higher 24- and 96-h IVNDFD than did the control line. Backcross lines were intermediate. Ferulate cross links were negatively correlated with 24- and 96-h IVNDFD for leaves (r = -0.52 and -0.92), sheaths (r = -0.47 and -0.52), and stems (r = -0.71 and -0.78). NDF concentration was always correlated with IVNDFD (r = -0.38 to -0.95) and ADL was correlated with IVNDFD except for leaves. Ferulate cross links were correlated with NDF (r = 0.81, 0.68, and 0.75 for leave, sheath, and stem) and ADL (r = 0.41 and 0.84 for sheath and stem) concentration. Correlations of NDF and ADL with ferulate cross links indicate the inter-relatedness of quality traits, and preclude concluding that ferulate cross links are a mechanism that controls IVNDFD. However, because ferulate esters are required for cross link formation and the corn lines selected for low seedling ferulate esters had reduced ferulate cross links as predicted, our data support the hypothesis that ferulate cross links modify cell wall structure such that digestibility is altered.