This work was carried out aiming to compare lignin concentration of some grass forages through two analytical methods (acid detergent lignin - ADL and permanganate lignin - PerL) as well to verify a possible relationship of lignin concentration with fiber digestion of the following grass hays: andropogon (Andropogon gayanus); oats (Avena sativa); a good quality and another of poor quality coast-cross (Cynodon dactylon). Acid detergent and permanganate lignin values were different (p <= 0.05) among the hays, however PerL concentrations were consistently lower than ADL values. There were differences (p <= 0.05) among the digestibility of neutral and acid detergent fiber fractions, however a clear relationship between these values with lignin concentration could not be assessed. The data suggested that lignin concentration, taken individually, is not the only factor to explain a given value of digestibility.
digestibility; hay; neutral detergent fiber; acid detergent fiber
