Theme 02: Grass-Legume Mixtures

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The objective of the present study was to determine dry matter intake (DMI) and the forage yield of green dry matter (GDM) of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) alone and associated with Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú grazed by sheep. The experimental treatments were: Systems T1) Star grass alone, and T2) Star grass + L. leucocephala. These treatments were evaluated during three seasons (i.e. Late-rainy, Dry and Rainy seasons). The availability of forage was lower (P < 0.0001) in T1, 2543 kg GDM/ha, than with T2, 3092 kg GDM/ha. Green dry matter in the rainy season was greater (P < 0.0001), with 3910 kg GDM/ha, than in the late-rainy and dry seasons, 2492 and 2052 kg GDM/ha, respectively. DMI was 5.9 and 7.6 g DM/kg of LW 0.75/hour for the T1 and T2, respectively (P < 0.0001). DMI during the rainy season was lower (P < 0.01) than that of the dry and late-rainy seasons, 6.2, 6.4 and 7.5 g DM/kg LW0.75/hour, respectively. The association C. nlemfuensis-L. leucocephala increased the availability of forage and the voluntary intake.

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Intake and Yield of Cynodon nlemfuensis Alone and Associated with Leucaena leucocephala Grazed by Sheep

The objective of the present study was to determine dry matter intake (DMI) and the forage yield of green dry matter (GDM) of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) alone and associated with Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú grazed by sheep. The experimental treatments were: Systems T1) Star grass alone, and T2) Star grass + L. leucocephala. These treatments were evaluated during three seasons (i.e. Late-rainy, Dry and Rainy seasons). The availability of forage was lower (P < 0.0001) in T1, 2543 kg GDM/ha, than with T2, 3092 kg GDM/ha. Green dry matter in the rainy season was greater (P < 0.0001), with 3910 kg GDM/ha, than in the late-rainy and dry seasons, 2492 and 2052 kg GDM/ha, respectively. DMI was 5.9 and 7.6 g DM/kg of LW 0.75/hour for the T1 and T2, respectively (P < 0.0001). DMI during the rainy season was lower (P < 0.01) than that of the dry and late-rainy seasons, 6.2, 6.4 and 7.5 g DM/kg LW0.75/hour, respectively. The association C. nlemfuensis-L. leucocephala increased the availability of forage and the voluntary intake.