Publication Date
1989
Description
Livestock production in the tropics is highly dependent on forages to meet the nutritional requirements of grazing cattle. However, seasonal fluctuations on dry matter production and nutritive value are limiting factors affecting animal performance and production. Stargrass Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis is a highly productive grass recommended for intensive management in the humid tropics of Puerto Rico (Vicente-Chandler et al., 1974). Bermuda Cynodon dactylon and Stargrass produced high yields of quality forage and persisted under intensive grazing in the humid northern coastal plains of Puerto Rico; however, the average production of both grasses was related to rainfall distribution, decreasing during the dry months (Tergas et al., 1988a). Bermuda Tifton 79-16 C. dactylon is a hybrid developed by USDA-ARS at Tifton, Georgia, and it is characterized by the production of high quality forage during the cool seasons in the southeastern coastal plains of the USA. The objectives of the present investigation were to determine the seasonal forage production and nutritive value of Stargrass C. nlemfuensis and Bermuda Tifton 79-16 C. dactylon with different fertilizer rates, grazed in small plots in the northern coastal plains.
Citation
Tergas, L E.; Cabrera, Y Q.; and Sotomayor Rios, A, "Forage Production and Nutritive Value of Cynodon spp. Under Grazing in Puerto Rico" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 26.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session7/26
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Forage Production and Nutritive Value of Cynodon spp. Under Grazing in Puerto Rico
Livestock production in the tropics is highly dependent on forages to meet the nutritional requirements of grazing cattle. However, seasonal fluctuations on dry matter production and nutritive value are limiting factors affecting animal performance and production. Stargrass Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis is a highly productive grass recommended for intensive management in the humid tropics of Puerto Rico (Vicente-Chandler et al., 1974). Bermuda Cynodon dactylon and Stargrass produced high yields of quality forage and persisted under intensive grazing in the humid northern coastal plains of Puerto Rico; however, the average production of both grasses was related to rainfall distribution, decreasing during the dry months (Tergas et al., 1988a). Bermuda Tifton 79-16 C. dactylon is a hybrid developed by USDA-ARS at Tifton, Georgia, and it is characterized by the production of high quality forage during the cool seasons in the southeastern coastal plains of the USA. The objectives of the present investigation were to determine the seasonal forage production and nutritive value of Stargrass C. nlemfuensis and Bermuda Tifton 79-16 C. dactylon with different fertilizer rates, grazed in small plots in the northern coastal plains.
