Nutrients seasonal variability and nutritive value in the tropical forage plants

Abstract

Nine forage plant species were evaluated as to determine their nutrition values and their respective seasonal variabilities. The plants were established in 4 x 8 m-plots, each subdivided into 32 of 1 m² squares. Samples were taken from the central twelve squares. Among the grasses, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth. cv. Masaba) produced the highest yield (12,029 kg of dry matter/ha/year), followed by Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) cvs. Molopo and Biloela (ca. 6,455 kg of dry matter/ha/year). Similar results were obtained in relation to yield of hay of the same species. 'Corrente grass' (Urochloa mosambicensis) had the highest in vitro dry matter digestion rate (55,41%) and also the highest nutrient contems, except for nitrogen. The legumes had a seasonal behavior. Among those, Macroptilium sp. CPATSA 80218 was outstanding for its high yield (6,200 kg of dry matter/ha/year) and persistence in the field.