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6. (a) (i) Identify three characteristics which could be used to determine the merit of an individual species of grass in agriculture - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 6 - 2006
Question 6
6. (a) (i) Identify three characteristics which could be used to determine the merit of an individual species of grass in agriculture. (ii) Describe an experiment t... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6. (a) (i) Identify three characteristics which could be used to determine the merit of an individual species of grass in agriculture - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 6 - 2006
Step 1
Identify three characteristics which could be used to determine the merit of an individual species of grass in agriculture.
Answer
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Palatability: This refers to how appealing the grass is to livestock, which affects their consumption and overall productivity.
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Digestibility: This measures how easily animals can digest the grass, which impacts nutrient absorption and animal health.
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Productivity: This characteristic indicates the amount of biomass produced by the grass, which is crucial for efficient forage production.
Step 2
Describe an experiment that could be used to determine one of the characteristics mentioned in part (i).
Answer
To determine the digestibility of a specific grass species, the following experiment can be conducted:
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Sample Preparation: Collect fresh samples of the grass and chop them into uniform sizes.
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Digestive Simulation: Use an in vitro digestion method where the grass is subjected to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids for a set period.
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Measurement: Analyze the remaining solids after digestion using a method such as gravimetric analysis to determine the mass lost during digestion.
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Data Analysis: Calculate the digestibility percentage using the formula: ext{Digestibility} = rac{ ext{Mass of grass before digestion} - ext{Mass of grass after digestion}}{ ext{Mass of grass before digestion}} imes 100
This experimental setup provides insights into how efficiently the grass can be digested by livestock.