Abstract

RETA SANCHEZ, David Guadalupe et al. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) forage yield and quality at three ages compared to corn and brown midrib sorghum x Sudangrass. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.1, pp.13-23. ISSN 2448-6698.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) shows forage potential as an alternative crop in farm production systems. In the present study, yield potential and forage quality in kenaf varieties 'Tainung 2' and 'Everglades 41' at three different ages were evaluated, and compared to corn and brown midrib sorghum x sudangrass. The present study was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico in the summers of 2003 and 2004, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Dry matter (DM) yield, forage quality and dry matter distribution among aerial plant organs were determined. Kenaf showed DM yields between 1,320 and 10,869 kg ha^-1 depending on age, significantly (P<0.05) lower than those found in corn (13,179 to 16,380 kg ha^-1) and sorghum (14,811 kg ha^-1). Crude protein concentration (CP) in kenaf (9.8 to 18.6 %) was greater (P<0.05) than in corn and sorghum (7.0 to 7.9 %), whereas acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations were similar or higher than in corn and sorghum at 66 d after sowing (das). Forage quality decreased (P<0.05) with age when DM partitioning into leaves dropped, maintaining an acceptable forage quality forage at beginning of flowering (66 to 74 das), presenting 13.5 to 15.8 % CP, 35.0 to 47.5 % ADF and 42.1 to 59.5 % NDF.

Keywords : Hibiscus cannabinus; Alternative crops; Dry matter partitioning; Chemical composition.

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