Evaluation of the balance between proteins and carbohydrates of forage species at different cutting ages

Abstract

Pastures and forages are the main food for livestock farming nationwide, due to their nutritional contributions necessary to satisfy their nutritional requirements. The objective of the research was to evaluate the appropriate balance between protein and soluble carbohydrates of three forage species of oats, vetch and Ray grass at different ages and cutting times, to determine the age and appropriate cutting time for each of the species where there is a higher concentration of nutrients. The research was carried out in the San Martin neighborhood, kilometer 1 1/2 via Baños, located in the Riobamba canton, Maldonado parish, with 3 treatments and 5 repetitions, at the age of 60, 75 and 90 days and at different cut-off times. 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, with a total of 75 experimental units. The methodology used was a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement, with reference to the species oats, vetch and Ray grass, (Factor A), cutting age 60.75, and 90 days, (Factor B) and cutting hours 07: 00,10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, (Factor C). In the results, it was known that legume species have a higher concentration of protein than grasses, this concentration depends on the age of the plant and time of cutting; Regarding fiber, Ray grass and Vicia sativa presented the best results, in this case, as age increases the fiber content increases; The highest carbohydrate content was from Avena sativa, confirming that increasing the age of the plant reduces this nutrient, with the best cutting time being 12 and 16 pm; It was known that the height of the plant depends on genetic, physiological, environmental and management factors.