Nutritional parameters of leaf blade from different tropical forages

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the leaf blade nutritional value of different genotypes of Cynodon cultivars in four regrowth ages (28, 48, 63 and 79 days), by chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design, with treatments arranged in a split plot scheme, with the studied genotypes (cultivars) (Tifton 68, Tifton 85, Russell, Jiggs and Vaquero) parcels and the four ages cutting the subplots (28, 48, 63 and 79 days). There was an increase in dry matter content with the advance of plant age ranged from 30% to 70% at 28 and 79 days of regrowth, respectively. A reduction of 25 g kg^-1 in crude protein content of the genotypes when it was increased the regrowth age of 28 for 79 days, with a daily reduction of 1.79%.There was daily increases of 1.72% and 1.17% in the fiber neutral detergent and acid detergent fiber, respectively. The management of all genotypes at the age of 28 days of regrowth provided greater in vitro digestibility of dry matter leaf blade (79.65%). For a best nutritional value of the Cynodon cultivars, it is recommended to have a period of 28 days between the cuts.