In vitro CHEMICAL AND FERMENTATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL PASTURES AT DIFFERENT AGES OF REGROWTH

The low nutritive value of pastures in tropical regions represents a limitation in the productivity of grazing ruminants. The objective was to determine the in vitro chemical and fermentative characteristics of nine tropical grasses (Aruana [Panicum maximun Jacq. cv. Aruana], Bermuda [Cynodon dactylon L.], Estrella de África [Cynodon Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst], Insurgente [Brachiaria brizantha Hochst. Stapf.], Llanero [Andropogon gayanus Kunth], Mombaza [Panicum maximun Jacq. cv. Mombaza], Pará [Brachiaria mutica Stapf], Pangola [Digitaria eriantha Steud.], and Tanzania [Panicum maximun Jacq. cv. Tanzania]) at three regrowth ages (30, 45, and 60 days). The chemical analysis was used to determine the concentrations of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ash (Ce). The in vitro trial measured partial (24, 48, and 72 h) and cumulative biogas and methane production, fermentation kinetics estimators (A, b, and k), dry matter degradation (DMD) and detergent neutral fiber degradation (NDFD), pH, and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3). The experimental design was completely randomized at each regrowth age. In conclusion, based on chemical analysis and fermentative characteristics, Pangola and Estrella pastures performed better at each regrowth age.