Mineral composition of Cenchrus purpureus cv. Cuba CT-115, as biomass bank, after grazing

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Dayleni Fortes
R. S. Herrera
M. García
Ana M. Cruz
Aida Romero

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the composition of some mineral nutrients of Cenchrus purpureus cv. Cuba CT-115 after grazing when used as a biomass bank. For this, a completely randomized sampling design with 15 repetitions was used. Treatments consisted on regrowth age or grass rest from the time of departure of animals from the paddock (time zero) and in accordance with the biomass bank technology. Results indicated that contents of ash, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium had a variable performance, while nitrogen was reduced with the regrowth age for all grazing cycles of this technology. Ash contents ranged between 3.89 % and 15.41 % (P <0.01), while calcium and phosphorus were between 0.30 and 0.83 % (P <0.05) and between 0.17 and 0.43 % (P <0.05), respectively. All the studied indicators had higher values in leaves than in stems for tillers and for residue with their new growth. Phosphorus and magnesium contents found in leaves and stems for some regrowth ages were lower than those required for proper growth and development of the grass, so the use of maintenance fertilization
might be necessary. It is recommended to use these results to design other management options.

Key words: Cuba CT-115, ash, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus.

Article Details

How to Cite
Fortes, D., Herrera, R. S., García, M., Cruz, A. M., & Romero, A. (2019). Mineral composition of Cenchrus purpureus cv. Cuba CT-115, as biomass bank, after grazing. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 53(4). Retrieved from https://cjascience.com/index.php/CJAS/article/view/923
Section
Pasture Science and other Crops