Abstract

RETA SANCHEZ, David Guadalupe et al. Yield and nutritional value of forage brassicas compared to traditional forages. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2023, vol.14, n.1, pp.237-247.  Epub Mar 24, 2023. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v14i1.6225.

The high nutritional value of brassicas can increase productivity in traditional forage production systems. The objective of the study was to compare the nutritional value and yield of dry matter (DM) and nutrients between forage brassicas and traditional autumn-winter species. The forage brassicas were Winfred, Hunter and Graza radish and the traditional forages were oats, triticale, barley, wheat and berseem clover. The study was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico in the 2018-2019 cycle, under a randomized complete block experimental design with four repetitions. The regrowth capacity, the nutritional composition of the forage and the yields of DM and nutrients were determined. All species showed regrowth capacity, with three cuts in berseem clover in 154 d, and with two cuts in brassicas (150-154 d) and cereals (133-144 d). The brassicas had nutritional composition similar to that of berseem clover and better than that of cereals, mainly due to their higher content of net energy of lactation (NEL; 6.57 to 7.32 MJ kg-1 DM). The DM yields of the brassicas were similar to those observed in traditional forages; however, due to their high nutritional composition, the brassicas were equal to or superior in production of crude protein (CP) (1,608 to 2,986 kg ha-1) and NEL (62,819 to 84,044 MJ ha-1) to traditional forages. In general, forage brassicas can increase nutrient yield with respect to cereals and berseem clover, especially in the production of NEL (27.5 to 47.3 %).

Keywords : Alternative crops; Dry matter; Regrowth; Crude protein; Energy.

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