Ethanol-Soluble Carbohydrates of Cool-Season Grasses: Prediction of Concentration by Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Evaluation of Effects of Cultivar and Management

Ethanol-soluble carbohydrates (ESCs) of cool-season grasses include mono- and disaccharides sometimes short-chain fructans, which may exacerbate the risk pasture-associated laminitis. A calibration for prediction ESC concentrations by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was developed from 323 samples four grass species (orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass) across 10 cultivars collected in central morning afternoon over two growing seasons. The calibration, had accuracy above 95%, used to predict 1,532 second season. increased compared all cultivars. In majority samples, were not affected nitrogen application plots. Use NIRS has potential evaluate management cultivar effects on pastures.