Abstract

SANTIAGO FIGUEROA, Itzel et al. Chemical and mineral composition of leucaena associated with star grass during the rainy season. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.spe16, pp.3173-3183. ISSN 2007-0934.

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical and mineral composition of the leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala Lam. de Wit) and star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) associated in an intensive silvopastoral system 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 day old sprouts during the rainy season, in the Huasteca potosina region of Mexico. The variables evaluated were the percentage of EE, PC, FDA, FDN, Ca, Mg, Na, K and P, ratio Ca:P and ppm Cu, Zn and Fe. The results showed significant differences (p< 0.05) by effect of age of suckers for the FDN and Ca which were higher at day 49 while Na and P decreased with increasing age of suckers. In contrast, the concentration of FDA, Cu and Fe increased with increasing age of the volunteers (p< 0.05). There were differences between the forage species (p< 0.05) for most of the variables studied, except for Na, K and Zn minerals. Leucaena had higher content of EE, PC, Ca, Mg, Cu and Fe; but the star grass had higher content of FDN, FDA and Ca:P ratio. The age of the volunteers interacted with forage species for content FDN, Na, K and Zn. The deficiencies Cu, Zn and P in forages studied were found. It is concluded that leucaena star grass association with improved chemical and mineral composition of edible foliage.

Keywords : age of suckers; forage species; intensive silvopastoral system; tropical forages.