Volatile Constituents of Tall Fescue Varieties in Relation to Palatability

The chemical composition of the essential oil of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb,), a poorly palatable species, was analysed by GC and GC-MS. The major components identified were alcohols, aldehydes and esters. The qualitative and quantitative differences detected among 6 cultivars of different geographical origin suggest the most abundant compounds may play a role in the grazing preference exhibited by animals.