Chemical composition and in sacco digestibility of Indian and Japanese barnyard millet stovers

Two genotypes of Indian barnyard millet (VL 181 and VL 207) and Japanese barnyard millet (PRJ 1 and PRB 903) and a local cultivar (Hawalbagh) were compared for chemical composition and digestibility attributes of stovers. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for various stover quality attributes. Crude protein was highest in Hawalbagh local cultivar, while VL 207 had the highest crude fibre and ash contents. Nitrogen free extract was highest for PRJ 1. The mean in sacco digestibility of the barnyard millet genotypes on dry matter basis after 72 h was 61.3 per cent. In sacco digestibility of Hawalbagh local and PRJ 1 was at par and higher than the other genotypes. There were no species-specific differences between India and Japanese barnyard millet genotypes with respect to chemical composition and dry matter digestibility.