Publication Date

1997

Description

Dry matter yield per cutting and total production, crude protein content and mineral composition of Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) as affected by three cutting frequencies (28, 42 and 56 days) were evaluated in a wet/dry tropical area in Venezuela. Only CP was affected (P<0.05) by the cutting frequency, decreasing (P<0.05) from 11.9 to 9.2 % as the harvest interval increased. Mean DM yield per cutting and accumulated over the 336-day experiment (661 and 5140 kg/ha) were low, probably due to low rainfall (600 mm) during the trial. Mean macro (%) and microelement (ppm) concentrations were: Ca, 0.9; P, 0.31; Mg, 0.45; K, 2,17; Na, 0.09; Cu, 11; Fe, 133 and Mn, 269, which were regarded as nutritionally adequate for grazing ruminants .

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Effect of the Cutting Frequency on Yield and Crude Protein and Mineral Contents of Panicum Maximum

Dry matter yield per cutting and total production, crude protein content and mineral composition of Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) as affected by three cutting frequencies (28, 42 and 56 days) were evaluated in a wet/dry tropical area in Venezuela. Only CP was affected (P<0.05) by the cutting frequency, decreasing (P<0.05) from 11.9 to 9.2 % as the harvest interval increased. Mean DM yield per cutting and accumulated over the 336-day experiment (661 and 5140 kg/ha) were low, probably due to low rainfall (600 mm) during the trial. Mean macro (%) and microelement (ppm) concentrations were: Ca, 0.9; P, 0.31; Mg, 0.45; K, 2,17; Na, 0.09; Cu, 11; Fe, 133 and Mn, 269, which were regarded as nutritionally adequate for grazing ruminants .