The chemical-bromatological characteristics of forage sampled for two methods, available herbage (AH) and extrusa (EXT), and green leaf (GL), green stem (GS), dead leaf (DL) and dead stem (DS) dry matter (DM) components were evaluated in the Signalgrass postponed pasture, during the dry season, from July to October 1997. Protein and carbohydrate fractions of the Cornell system were also evaluated. AH sampled was characterized as low quality, with low crude protein (CP) concentration (<2.5% DM), high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (>78% DM) and lignin (>8.7% DM) contents, and 43.7% in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Higher IVDMD and higher contents of CP, neutral detergent and acid detergent insoluble proteins, ash and phosphorus and smaller contents of fibers, total carbohydrates (TC) and magnesium were observed in the EXT, when compared to AH. Higher IVDMD and higher contents of CP, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were observed in the GL component and higher TC and NDF contents were observed in the GS, DL and DS components. High values of crude protein A fraction were observed in the GL and GS components, while low values were observed in the DL and DS components. High values of crude protein C fraction were also verified in the GS, DL and DS components. The potentially digestible CP fractions, except for B1 fraction, and NFC contents, were correlated with the CP contents in the forage components. Concerning the carbohydrates, low values of NFC (A+B1) and high values of C fraction were observed in the GS, DL and DS components.
herbage quality; signalgrass; tropical pasture
