The genus Adesmia DC. has 17 species native to Brazil, distributed in the Southern states, whose importance is linked to its adaptation to the soils and climatic conditions of the region, besides being an active winter-growing species (temperate). This work aimed to compare the patterns of dry matter (DM) accumulation and nutritive value of A. latifolia, A. punctata and A. tristis, using Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) and L. uliginosus (big trefoil), as checks. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse for 210 days (4000 degrees-day). The forage availability (FA) was similar for A. latifolia (276 g DM/m²) and birdsfoot trefoil (275 g DM/m²), as well as for A. tristis (201 g DM/m²) and big trefoil (192 g DM/m²), while A. punctata showed the smallest FD (155 g DM/m²). A. latifolia was characterized by an early FA, due to its fast growth when compared to other species, pointing to its potential utilization during the cold season. In relation to the quality analysis, the crude protein (CP) in A. latifolia leaves was up to 21.6% and the organic matter in vitro digestibility (OMIVD) was up to 72.3%. The highest CP and OMIVD was found in the birdsfoot trefoil leaves, 30.3 and 75.8%, respectively. A. tristis presented a very low OMIVD in the stems, from 34.9 to 44.7%, which could limit its intake by cattle. It is concluded that, among the Adesmia species studied, A. latifolia holds the greatest forage potential and deserves further study.
Adesmia; Lotus; crude protein; digestibility; forage; leguminous
