In vitro evaluation of wheat straw varieties for chemical composition, gas production and digestibility

Straws of five wheat varieties viz, Raj3077, PBW373, PBW154, Raj3765 and LOK1 were evaluated for their chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and gas production. It was found that IVDMD and IVOMD content were higher in varieties PBW154 and Raj 3077 as compared to other varieties. The gas production/gm DM and gas production/gm digestible DM were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in variety PBW 154. The gas production at 6^th and 12^th hrs of incubation did not vary significantly among the varieties where as, the gas production at 24^th and 48^th hrs were significantly (P< 0.05) different. It was found to be highest for variety PBW 154 (21.75 and 37.33 ml at 24^th and 48^th hours respectively). For the wheat straw variety PBW 154, their exists a positive relation between the gas production and digestibility.