Prediction of in vitro true digestibility from fiber fraction content in kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum)-study using horse fecal inoculum

Kikuyu grass is a potential tropical forage (protein content of up to 25%). However, there is a lack of information on digestibility, especially for horses. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a regression equation to predict the IVTD (in vitro true digestibility) of kikuyu grass in the horse from the fiber fraction content. This study used kikuyu grass harvested in the period February–October 2020. Horse feces (as inoculant) were collected from Sandalwood Horses. The samples were incubated for 30 and 48 hours in the ANKOM DaisyII incubator. IVTD was calculated based on dry matter (IVTD-DM) and organic matter (IVTD-OM). The fiber fraction analysis was conducted for aNDF (neutral detergent fiber), aNDF-OM (neutral detergent fiber-organic matter), ADF (acid detergent fiber), hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Linear regressions were calculated for fiber fraction and IVTD. The correlation between IVTD (30 and 48 h incubation) and fiber fractions were significant (p