Yield and chemical composition of CT-115 (Pennisetum purpureum) pasture established at two densities and in two sowing dates in Mar, Nuevo Le, Mexico

Abstract

The yield and content of nutrients was assessed in leaves, stems and dead material of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cuba CT-115 sown at two
densities (D1=17850 and D2=11350 plants/ha) and on two sowing seasons (late and early) in the northeast of Mexico. The sowing was conducted considering a completely random design, with factorial arrangement 2 x 2 x 3 and on July-August (early season) and September-
October (late season) of 2009. Sixteen experimental plots in a total area of 900 m2 were used. Seven sprouts per experimental unit were randomly sampled, 45 d after the regrowth during May of 2010. The variables were yield (t/ha), cell content, CP, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and in vitro organic matter digestibility. The production of leaf, stem and dead material (t/ha) had significant differences (P < 0.01) and the values were 2.65, 1.84 and 0.74, respectively. The CP content was higher (P < 0.05) in leaf and stem (11.3 and 10.04 %) compared with the dead material (6.01 %). The ash content was higher (P < 0.05) in both sowing seasons, with range between 14.5-20.9 % for the different morphological components. The digestibility was of 63.6 %. It is concluded that the pasture CT-115 (Pennisetum purpureum) had good quality and may be considered an alternative for cattle feeding in the northeast of Mexico.
Key words: Pennisetum purpureum CT 115, chemical composition, sowing density, sowing date, dry matter production.