Forage Quality of Western Wheatgrass Exposed to Sulfur Dioxide

Abstract

Effects of three exposure levels of SO2 (55, 100, and 170 micrograms m-3) on the nutritive value of western wheatgrass were investigated. Significant increases in plant sulfur content were observed, both with time and level of SO2 exposure. Plant ash content paralleled the trends observed for sulfur concentrations. Nitrogen concentrations in western wheatgrass were not affected by SO2 treatments. The increased plant sulfur content and decreased N:S ratios across treatments did not significantly affect forage digestibility as measured by in vitro digestible dry matter.