Abstract

ROYO, L.S.; YANEZ, E.A.; PUEYO, J.D.  and  CAMACHO, M.B.. Nutritive value and leaf/stem ratio of Siam grass with different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Rev. vet. [online]. 2023, vol.34, n.2, pp.106-110. ISSN 1669-6840.  http://dx.doi.org/10.30972/vet.3427052.

16.

The objective of this trial was to assess the nutritive value and the leaf:stem ratio of the subtropical grass Siam grass (Brachiaria mutica ecotype Siam) under different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization and sequential cuts through spring, summer and autumn. Over already established pasture plots, four increasing levels of N fertilization were applied (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg N ha-1). The design consisted in three blocks, inside each one the treatments were assigned randomly. Six cuts were done: Oct-18, Nov-28, Jan-10, Feb-21, Apr-3 and May-15. The samples were weighed, separated in leaf and stem and dried in force-draft oven and were analyzed in the laboratory. Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), estimated digestibility (DIG) and metabolizable energy concentration (EM) were determined. Increasing levels of N fertilization have effect on dry matter yield (DM), CP, NDF, ADF. Digestibility and EM were also little affected by N fertilization. These results show that the nutritive value of this grass did not vary by the N fertilization. The major effect of the N fertilization was the high yield of DM ha-1, it increased significantly.

Keywords : Brachiaria mutica; digestibility; crude protein; date of cut.

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