Produção e composição bromatológica do capim-Marandu em diferentes épocas de diferimento e utilização

Abstract

The effect of the stockpiled period on the production and chemical composition of the forage of Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), during the dry season, was evaluated in an experiment conducted in Parnaiba, Piauí. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a factorial 3 × 4, three times stockpiled (March 23, April 19 and May 17) and four utilization times (July 12, August 9, September 6 and October 4) with three replications. The stockpiled in March or April, with pasture utilization in July to October provides greater production of green dry matter, however, the use of stockpiled in May and in July showed better relationship a live material/dead material. The forage with higher leaf/stem ratio, crude protein and ash, and lower levels of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were verified with pasture utilization in the months of July and August, regardless of the stockpiled time. Seeking to reconcile yield and chemical composition of the Marandu grass is recommended stockpiled in April or May for pasture use in July or August, respectively.