African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6855

Full Length Research Paper

Pasture quality of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania subjected to different rest periods for milk production

Alberto Chambela Neto
  • Alberto Chambela Neto
  • Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo, Santa Teresa-ES, Brazil.
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Jose Fernando Coelho da Silva
  • Jose Fernando Coelho da Silva
  • Laboratory of Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, State University of Northern Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brazil.
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Bruno Borges Deminicis
  • Bruno Borges Deminicis
  • Center of Agroforestry Technologies, Federal University of Southern Bahia, Ilhéus-BA, Brazil
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Ismail Ramalho Haddade
  • Ismail Ramalho Haddade
  • Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo, Santa Teresa-ES, Brazil.
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Gustavo Haddad Souza Vieira
  • Gustavo Haddad Souza Vieira
  • Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo, Santa Teresa-ES, Brazil.
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Leonardo Barros Dobbss
  • Leonardo Barros Dobbss
  • Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Unaí-MG, Brazil.
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Thiago Lopes Rosado
  • Thiago Lopes Rosado
  • Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo, Santa Teresa-ES, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 17 May 2018
  •  Accepted: 21 August 2018
  •  Published: 04 October 2018

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two defoliation intervals on the morphological characteristics of the experimental group. Chemical composition characteristics of a Tanzania grass pasture (Panicum maximum) and the performance of crossbred cows on intermittent grazing were examined. The digestibility of the dry matter, the digestibility of the organic matter fibrous, the voluntary dry matter intake and the voluntary intake of the organic matter fibrous were also determined. Milk production of cows was obtained in two daily milks. The levels of fat, protein, lactose, liquid energy and total milk solids were also quantified. The treatments consisted of evaluations of two pasture management strategies: 95% interception of photosynthetically active radiation and pasture managed with 30 days of defoliation interval. The study thus revealed that management causes differences in the chemical composition of Tanzania grass, but does not allow individual productive increases. Management based on IL 95% leads to higher milk production per unit area.

Key words: Cattle dung, environmental sustainability, overcoming dormancy, rumen.