Abstract

OSORIO, Fiorela Maritza Hermitaño et al. Growth dynamics and nutritional value of Pennisetum spp (cv. Maralfalfa) in three cutting ages and two seasons in the Peruvian tropics. Rev. investig. vet. Perú [online]. 2022, vol.33, n.4, e23337.  Epub Aug 31, 2022. ISSN 1609-9117.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15381/rivep.v33i4.23337.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of growth and nutritional value of Pennisetum spp (cv. Maralfalfa) at three cutting ages (45, 60 and 75 days) and at two times of the year (high and low rainfall) in the district of Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru. Plant height to flag leaf (AH), number of tillers (NT), green biomass (BV), dry matter (DM), in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DIVMS), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were evaluated in a completely randomized design with a 3x2 factorial arrangement (cut-off age and time of year). The AH did not present significant differences for age at cutting (34.27±4.00, 210.08±4.00 and 251.14±4.00 cm for 45, 60 and 75 days, respectively), nor between seasons (191.91±3.26 and 205.09±3.26 cm in low and high precipitation, respectively). The NT did not show significant differences for age at cutting (54.56±3.26, 54.61±3.26 and 55.33±3.26 tillers for 45, 60 and 75 days of age, respectively) or between seasons (51.37±2.66 and 58.30±2.66 tillers in low and high precipitation, respectively). The DM in the season of high rainfall showed its highest value (12.59±0.50%) at 60 days of regrowth, while in the season of lower rainfall it was 15.65±0.50% at 75 days of cutting (p<0.05). DIVMS recorded its highest value at 45 days with 81.2±0.51 and 83.2±0.51% in times of higher and lower precipitation, respectively. The dry biomass showed interaction (p<0.05) between the age at cutting (45, 60 and 75 days) and the season (high and low rainfall). PC had better values in both seasons at 45 days of cutting with 11.08±0.43 and 16.06±0.43% in high and low rainfall, respectively (p<0.05). The CF recorded its highest value in the season of least precipitation at 60 days (25.19±0.24%) cut-off, and lower in the season of greatest precipitation at 75 days (27.5±0.24%) (p<0.05). The content of Ca and P in the period of high precipitation was higher (0.51±01%) at 45 days, while in the period of less precipitation Ca had similar results at 45 and 60 days (0.34±01%). It is concluded that the time of year and the cutting age influence the productive performance and nutritional quality of Maralfalfa grass under tropical conditions, with the best nutritional and production value at 60 days.

Keywords : flag leaf; yield; dry biomass; protein; digestibility; time of year.

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