NR 03. Production, composition and in situ degradation parameters of Furachão grass (Panicum repens L.) under different cutting ages and fertilization

Abstract

The effects of fertilization and harvesting of the furachão grass (Panicum repens L.), 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days old, on the dry matter (DM) production, chemical composition and potential and effectives in situ degradations of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), were evaluated, at Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The cutting ages increased DM production (P<.05), but the fertilizer affected only after 60 days. The levels of CP decreased (P<.05) when the cutting age increased, independently of fertilization. The highest CP content was 19.81 % in DM, at 15 days of age for the fertilized grass. The levels of NDF increased (P<.05) with age of cut and were not affected (P>.05) by fertilization. The levels of acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased (P<.05) whith the age and fertilization. The levels of calcium and phosphorus were affected by age (P<.05). The degradabilities were affected by cutting age, fertilization and time of incubation. The best nutritive value and DM production , was obtained between 45 at 60 days old.