Forage Production and Nutritional Quality of Angleton climacuna (Dichanthium annulatum-Forssk-Stapf) for Hay, in La Dorada (Caldas)

Resumen

This study was made on the Rancho Claro Farm, municipality of Doradas (Caldas). The aim was to determine the effects of cutting age on forage production and nutritional quality of angleton climacuna (Dichanthium annulatum) used for hay production. The study was made in previously chosen grassland; 21 lots of 100 m² were prepared, and the cutting ages were set at random (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 days). A completely randomized design was used with three replications per treatment. The age effect on production and quality was analyzed through analysis of variance and the Tukey´s test. Regression analysis and the Pearson test were made to determine correlation. Forage production was observed to vary between 5.8 and 23.6 T Ha^-1 of FM. The highest protein value was observed 40 days later (7.9%), and it was higher than 5% until the 70^th day. The dry matter (DM) percent and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased with age; the highest contents were observed after 80 days. The crude energy (CE) values were similar in all the ages. Quality decreased with age, but forage production increased. It was concluded that forage production and quality can be determined at any age, provided that height and forage production values per m² are known at initial growth stages.