Caracterización nutricional y digestibilidad in vitro de la mezcla forrajera de Setaria sphacelata (pasto miel) y Brachiaria decumbens (pasto dallys

Abstract

At Pastaza Experimental Station of Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, located in Pastaza Province - Ecuador, three cutting ages at regrowth (40, 50 and 60 days) of the forage mixture of Setaria sphacelata (honey grass, 50%) and Brachiaria decumbens (dallys grass, 50%), and its effect on nutritional quality, in vitro digestibility and mineral intake were evaluated. For nutritional intake, three replicates and a total of nine experimental units were used; for in vitro digestibility, 12 replicates and a total of 36 experimental units were used; and for ionogram, six experimental units were used, which were evaluated under a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental measurements of the nutritional intake analysis showed highly significant differences (P<0.01). In the results of the effect of cutting age on nutritional quality, the best response was obtained at 40 days with values of dry matter 20.61%; crude protein 10.13% and crude fiber 31.68%. In the in vitro digestibility, the best coefficients were found at 40 days of cutting with a CDMS 60.23%; CDMO 61.87%; CDPB 65.7%; CDFC 71.36%; CDEE 56.06%; CDELN 91.31%. In the ionogram the following results were obtained for minerals, potassium (K): 10.16; calcium (Ca): 5.11; magnesium (Mg): 0.93; sodium (Na): 175.38; phosphorus: 2.99 mg/dl. It is concluded that at 40 days of regrowth, the forage mixture of Setaria sphacelata (honey grass) and Brachiaria decumbens (dallys grass) has a higher nutritional value and is more digestible. It is recommended to use this forage mixture at 40 days of regrowth and also include a tropical legume to improve its nutritional quality.