Comparison of different native barley varieties using an in vitro gas production technique using rumen fluid from fistulated and from slaughtered sheep as inocula

Introduction Different barley varieties have been shown to affect in vitro dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD), ruminal starch digestion and animal performance (Boss and Bowman, 1996). Some of these differences may be due to differences in site and extent of nutrient digestion among barley varieties. Little information is available on digestive characteristics of different barley varieties and several native varieties are cultivated in eastern Azerbaijan province, Iran. An in vitro gas production technique was used to evaluate the effects of barley variety on gas production characteristics of barley grain. The treatments compared were 1) Sahand barley, 2) Abidar barley, 3) Sararud barley, and 4) Qarah barley. Also this study was carried out to compare the use of slaughtered sheep's rumen fluid as the source of microbial enzyme for the gas production technique with that of rumen fluid collected from fistulated sheep .