Características produtivas, estruturais e de valor nutritivo da Brachiaria spp. cv. Mulato II

Abstract

Mulato II grass (Brachiaria spp. cv. Mulato II), a hybrid with high nutritional value, presents good agronomic performance and adaptation to different soil and climate conditions. However, its productivity can be influenced by seasonal factors, such as water availability and temperature. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the seasons — summer and autumn — on the productive, structural and nutritional value characteristics of Mulato II grass. The experiment was conducted at the Capim Branco Experimental Farm, in Uberlândia-MG, between October 2022 and June 2023, using three 16 m² plots. Fertilization with KCl, MAP and ammonium nitrate was carried out, in addition to cutting every 30 days. The samples were subjected to morphological composition and nutritional value analyses, using NIRS. The results revealed that, in the summer, the production of forage, stem and leaves was higher, while in the autumn there was an increase in the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), mineral matter and in vitro digestibility of dry matter. Plant height was also significantly reduced in the autumn. It is concluded that the time of year exerts a marked influence on the agronomic performance and nutritional value of mulato II grass, with summer being the most favorable period for biomass production and forage quality.