Determinación de la edad y hora de corte óptima sobre la concentración de carbohidratos solubles en un Rye grass tetraploide.

Abstract

In the Toacaso Town, northwest of Latacunga City, Cotopaxi province, the optimal age and cutting time on the concentration of soluble carbohydrates in a REMINGTON Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was established in situ by using a digital refractometer. The investigation used 48 experimental units with an area of 16 m2 (4 m x 4 m), in a total area of 768 m2. The experimental work lasted 60 days in which the highest concentration of carbohydrates was evaluated in relation to the age of the pasture 45 and 60 days (factor A), and the cutting time 08H00, 10H00, 12H00, 14H00, 16H00 and 18H00 hours (factor B), for which a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) was applied under a bifactorial arrangement with four repetitions per treatment. The results reported that the highest concentration of soluble carbohydrates was obtained at 60 days of age with 13.15 degrees Brix (°Bx), related to the optimal cut-off time, which was at 2:00 p.m. with a concentration of 16.33 °Bx. It was concluded that the older, and according to the time of day, the higher the concentration of soluble carbohydrates will be. The highest cost benefit was obtained at 4:00 p.m. presenting a benefit/cost of $ 1.44 USD which means that for every dollar invested a profit of 44 cents was obtained. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest the REMINGTON Ryegrass at 60 days of age at 2:00 p.m.