TITLE:
Nutritional Characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha Cultivars Subjected to Different Intensities Cutting
AUTHORS:
Kátia Aparecida de Pinho Costa, Eduardo da Costa Severiano, Gustavo André Simon, Patrícia Soares Epifanio, Alessandro Guerra da Silva, Raoni Ribeiro Guedes Fonseca Costa, Charles Barbosa Santos, Carlos Ribeiro Rodrigues
KEYWORDS:
Marandu Palisadegrass, Piata Palisadegrass, Sward Height, Xaraes Palisadegrass
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.13,
June
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the nutritional
characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cultivars subjected to three cutting intensities in the course of one year. The
experiment was conducted at the University of Rio Verde. The
experiment was performed as a randomized 3 × 3 factorial in complete block design
with three replications and repeated measures in the time. Three Brachiaria brizantha cultivars (Marandu
palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass, and Piata palisadegrass), were tested at
three cutting intensities (10, 20, and 30 cm sward height). The evaluations were
conducted on the same plots throughout one year and during all four seasons
(autumn, winter, spring, and summer). The results showed that the Piata palisadegrass had the best chemical composition compared to the Marandu
palisadegrass and Xaraes palisadegrass. The management of Brachiaria brizantha cultivars at the lowest residual height (10 cm) affected the
nutritional value of these feed grasses. Seasonality also influenced the
nutritional value of these forages.