Abstract

RODRIGUES, A.L.P. et al. In situ dry matter degradation of tropical forages harvested at different ages. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2004, vol.56, n.5, pp. 658-664. ISSN 0102-0935.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352004000500014.

The ruminal degradability of 10 tropical forages at three cutting times (21, 42 and 63 days) incubated at 6, 24 and 96 hours using the in situ technique was estimated. The forages were: Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, Brachiaria brizantha (accesses 3401, 3413, 3451 CPAC), Cenchrus ciliaris (accesses 79119, 79146, 79148, 80199 and 81302 CPATSA) and Panicum maximum (3616 CPAC). The accesses of B. brizantha, P. maximum and A. gayanus cv Planaltina presented the highest dry matter degradability values and the accesses of C. ciliaris the lowest. For all forages, increased cutting age led to dry matter reduction. The accesses of B. brizantha 3413 and 3451 presented the best effective degradabilities.

Keywords : bovine; in situ degradability; forages.