Transverse sections of alfalfa, rye and corn stems before and after degradation.

<p><i>a</i>. the anatomic structure of alfalfa stem (the cross-section of the seventh internode); <i>b</i>. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded alfalfa stem subjected to sole cropping; <i>c</i>. the anatomic structure of intercropping alfalfa stem degraded together with rye and corn stem in rumen; <i>d</i>. the anatomic structure of rye stem (the cross-section of the fourth internode); <i>e</i>. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded rye stem subjected to sole cropping; <i>f</i>. the anatomic structure of intercropping rye stem degraded with alfalfa and corn stem in rumen; <i>g</i>. the anatomic structure of corn stalk (the cross-section of the fourth internode); <i>h</i>. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded corn stalk subjected to sole cropping; <i>i</i>. the anatomic structure of intercropping corn stalk degraded with rye and alfalfa stem in rumen.