Effect of Maturity Stages on Chemical Composition, Nutritive Value and Methane Production of Chenopodium album Hay

The aim of current experiment was to determine nutritive value of Chenopodium album hay harvested at three harvest stages using chemical composition and in vitro gas production technique. Harvest stage significantly affected the chemical composition of Chenopodium album hay. ADF and NDF contents of Chenopodium album hay increased with advancing maturity while crude protein, crude ash and ether extract were decreased. ADF and NDF contents of Chenopodium album hay ranged from 23.56 to 36.82 and 40.27 to 52.64 % respectively. On the other hand, crude protein contents of Chenopodium album hay ranged from 8.44 to 19.32%. In vitro gas production of Chenopodium album hay ranged from 28.93 to 39.53ml. Potential nutritive value of Chenopodium album hay decreased with advancing maturity. Crude protein and metabolisable energy of Chenopodium album hay at first two stages were considerable well. Therefore Chenopodium album hay at first two stages can be included into ruminant diets to meet protein and metabolisable energy