Resumo

GARCIA-FERRERA, Lidia et al. Yield and nutritive value of forage legumes in two seasons and four regrowth stages. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.4, pp.453-468. ISSN 2448-6698.

The effect of age of regrowth (21, 42, 63 and 84 d) on the dry matter yield (DMY), leaf proportion (LP) and nutritive value of cacahuatillo (Arachis pintoi), stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), clitoria (Clitoria ternatea) and kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) was evaluated during the dry season (March-May) and rainy (June-August) of 2013. The DMY and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased with age, while the LP, protein (CP) and degradability decreased. Stylo and cacahuatillo recorded the highest DMY in both seasons; on average 5.5 and 7.5 t ha-1 at 84 d in dry and rainy season respectively. In both seasons, the highest and lowest LP were for cacahuatillo and stylo, respectively. High CP was recorded by clitoria and cacahuatillo in both seasons; greater than 14 g kg-1 DM even 84 d old. No significant variation was observed in CP from 42 d in the species. At 21 d, stylo (704.7 g kg-1 DM) in the dry season and kudzu (658.4 g kg-1 DM) in the rainy season had the largest NDF. There were no differences between species from 42 d. Cacahuatillo had the highest degradability (>700 g kg-1 DM) during its growth in both seasons. In clitoria, stylo and kudzu was just above 700 g kg-1 DM at 21 d, but from 42 d of age, degradability decreased. In conclusion, the age of regrowth that integrates DMY and better nutritional value is 42 d old in the legumes evaluated, regardless of the season of year.

Palavras-chave : Arachis pintoi; Stylosanthes guianensis; Clitoria ternatea; Pueraria phaseoloides; Protein; Degradability; Neutral detergent fiber.