The kinetics of ruminal fermentation of total carbohydrates (TC) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of false fruit from five clones of cashew tress: CP 06, CP 09, CP 76, CP 1001, BRS 189 was evaluated through semi-automated in vitro gas production technique. The pressure readings and the volume measurements were accomplished after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, 27, 33, 39, 48, 60 and 72 h. For the determination of the TC and NDF degradation, the residue was quantified after 72 h of incubation. The cumulative gas production curves were adjusted through models proposed by France and Gompertz for TC and NDF, respectively. For TC, difference between CP 09 and BRS 189 was found for potential gas production (Vf). The CP 1001 was the substrate that presented the shortest colonization time. The CP 09, CP 1001 and the CP 06 presented fermentation rates slightly higher in relation to CP 76 and BRS 189. The existence of two peaks was observed in the gas production rate, for 6 and 21 h. The BRS 189 presented lower degradation at 72 h. For the NDF, CP 09 resulted in higher Vf and the CP 06, CP 1001 and o BRS 189 presented the highest gas production rate. The CP 09 presented had higher microbial efficiency. The cumulative gas production was higher for CP 1001. The false fruit of the cashew trees clones evaluated presented potential for use in the feeding of ruminants due to their good quality, from the fermentative point of view.
degradation; neutral detergent fiber; total carbohydrates
