Abstract

DIAZ-CESPEDES*, Medardo Antonio; HERNANDEZ-GUEVARA, José Eduard  and  GOMEZ-BRAVO, Carlos Alfredo. Impact of rainfall regime on chemical composition, digestibility, and methane production of Echinochloa polystachya (Kunth) Hitch. Scientia Agropecuaria [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.2, pp.147-155. ISSN 2077-9917.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17268/sci.agropecu.2020.02.01.

The aim in this study was to determine the chemical composition, digestibility, and methane production of Echinochloa polystachya (Kunth) Hitch in periods with different rainfall in the Peruvian rainforest region. The pasture was managed under a rotational grazing system. The nutritive quality and in vitro CH4 production of the pasture during both experimental periods was determined from a sample obtained by zigzag technique and sampling points using the method of destructive systematic sampling. Echinochloa polystachya in the period of lower than higher rainfall had a higher content of NDF (p < 0,001) and FDA (p < 0,001). While OM was higher in the period of greater rainfall (p <0,001). However, the PC content (p = 0,11), in vitro digestibility of MO (p = 0,89), corrected net gas production (p = 0,83) and in vitro CH4 output (p = 0,63) were similar for rainfall periods.

Keywords : rainfall periods; tropical pasture; German grass; nutrient quality; gas production; in vitro methane.

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