Suchergebnisse

This study aimed at evaluating the morphogenic and structural characteristics of Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Aruana, as well as its chemical composition after submitting it to different nitrogen levels. The experiment was performed by adopting a randomized block design which included four treatments (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1 of N) and three replications, in 100 m2 plots. Twice a week, for the 63 days of regrowth, the morphogenic characteristics were determined and estimated, after which the chemical composition was assessed. The aruana grass revealed a quadratic and positive response to the nitrogen fertilization, and showed a remarkable rise in the elongation rates, leaf appearance and senescence, besides the number of live leaves per tiller and final leaf length. However, the nitrogen fertilization reduced the phyllochron and leaf life in the aruana grass, implying the direct effect of nitrogen on the flow of tissues. A quadratic and positive effect of the nitrogen fertilization was observed for the dry mass production, from 5,840.80 kg ha-1 for plants lacking the nitrogen fertilization to 8,862.55 kg ha-1 for those fertilized with 225 kg ha-1 of N. Thus, while the nitrogen fertilization positively affected both tillering and morphogenesis, the N doses used in this study were insufficient to induce any change in the chemical composition of the aruana grass.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Gliricidia fodder salt on intake, nutrient digestibility, and feeding behavior of lambs. Twenty-five Santa Inês crossbred male sheep at approximately 180 days of age, with an average live weight of 25 kg, were confined in individual 1-m2 stalls and distributed in a randomized complete design with five treatments and five replications. Treatments consisted of 0 (1,000 g/kg?1 NaCl), 930, 950, 970, and 990 g/kg?1 inclusion of Gliricidia hay (70, 50, 30, and 10 g/kg?1 NaCl in the formulation of the fodder salt, respectively). The animals were fed ground Tifton-85 (Cynodon spp.) hay, ground fodder salt and or mineral salt, and water ad libitum, at 07h00 and 17h00. Intakes of dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber were influenced (P<0.05) by supplementation with Gliricidia fodder salt. Crude protein intake increased linearly (P<0.01), while mineral-salt intake decreased linearly (P<0.01) as the levels of Gliricidia hay in the fodder salt were increased. There was no difference (P>0.05) in nutrient digestibility due to supplementation. Rumination time and number of cuds ruminated per day decreased (P<0.05), whereas rumination chews per cud increased (P<0.05). Feed and rumination efficiencies (g DM and NDF h?1) increased (P<0.01) with supplementation, and so did the rumination efficiency (P<0.01) expressed in g DM and NDF cud?1. Supplementation with Gliricidia fodder salt increases nutrient intake and positively changes the feeding behavior of lambs.