Abstract

RETA SANCHEZ, David Guadalupe et al. Forage potential of four legume species in the summer cycle of the Laguna Region. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.5, pp.659-671. ISSN 2007-0934.

An alternative to improve the quality of dairy cattle diets is the use of annual legumes. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional composition and potential yields of dry matter (DM) and nutrients of four annual legume species available during the summer cycle in the Laguna Region. The experiment was established on July 05 and 08 of2005 and 2006, respectively, in the Experimental Field La Laguna ofthe INIFAP located in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico. Two genotypes of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L.) were evaluated, one of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), four of soybean (Glycine max L.) and one of hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The yield of DM and the distribution of DM in the aerial part were determined, as well as the chemical composition of the forage. Soybean yields (7 757-9 280 kg ha^-1) were higher (p< 0.05) than those of cowpea, pigeon pea and hyacinth bean (2 200-6 132 kg ha^-1). The best results were obtained with Hutchinson soybean (p< 0.05) due to its high yields of DM, net energy for lactation (NEL) and crude protein (CP) per hectare, in addition to its good nutritional composition, measured in terms of CP content (228-242 g kg^-1), NEL (1.48-1.58 Mcal kg^-1 DM) and neutral detergent fiber (318335 g kg^-1). The low allocation of DM to the stem and the precocity of this species led to a higher proportion of pods in the forage (p< 0.05), increasing the nutrient composition during the summer cycle.

Keywords : chemical composition of forage; dry matter distribution; dry matter yield; nutrient yield.

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