Anatomia e cinética de degradação do feno de Manihot glaziovii

Abstract

This study the structural components of cell wall with its degradability, chemical composition, secondary compounds, in situ degradability, anatomy and tissue degradability of the hay of "maniçoba" (wild cassava) from plants in early fruiting, from savanna vegetation in Ibimirim, Pernambuco. The stem showed cells with varied degrees of lignification, highlighting the presence of gelatinous fibers, lignified pith parenchyma and thick cell walls inside the xylem. The leaves were highlighted by the presence of a girder structure, characterized by the great quantity of mesophyll, constituted by cells with thin walls, contributing to the degradability of dry matter. Idioblasts with druses of oxalate were observed around the vascular tissues, in the midrib. It works like defense mechanisms of plant against herbivores and can affect the availability of minerals for animals. "Maniçoba" hay, in spite of its advanced maturity stage (early fruit development), presents adequate chemical composition and low concentration of cianidric acid and tannins. The mains limits to degradability are cell wall thickness and lignification, particularly in stem tissue. Additionally, several aspects reported here induce to the continuity of studies in several focuses and aim to improve the use this specie as forage.