Zootecnia Tropical

Influence of the sex in the performance of lambari silver (Astyanax scabripinnis, Jenyns, 1842)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência do sexo no desempenho de lambari. Foram utilizados 300 alevinos de Lambari prata (Astyanax scabripinnis), com peso médio inicial 5,07 ± 0,14 g e comprimento médio de 5,88 ± 0,033 cm para machos e as fêmeas com peso inicial 6,67 ± 0,07g e comprimento médio de 6,28 ± 0,08 cm, em um experimento inteiramente casualizado, com 3 tratamentos: T1: macho separado da fêmea; T2: fêmea sem a presença do macho e T3: macho e fêmea junto, com 3 repetições e 30 alevinos que foram alojados por caixa de amianto de 1.000 l. A temperatura da manhã ficou em média em 24,0 ± 3,46 oC e da tarde ficou em média de 30,0 ± 0,67 oC. Os resultados obtidos demostram que os machos cultivados sozinhos obtiveram desempenho inferior aos machos cultivados juntos a fêmeas. As fêmeas cultivadas sozinhas obtiveram melhor desempenho em relação a fêmeas na presença de machos, mas para o comprimento total não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas. O comprimento total foi significativo no T3 em relação aos animais do T1. O índice viscerossomático obteve resultado significativo nos animais cultivados separados em relação aos animais cultivados juntos. Para rendimento de carcaça dos animais do T1 obtiveram resultado superior e significativo aos demais tratamentos. A taxa de crescimento específico dos animais do tratamento 2 foi superior e a sobrevivência foi estaticamente significativa nos animais do tratamento 1. Para a produção de Lambari, é recomendado cultivar machos de lambaris separados das fêmeas.

Summary The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of sex in the lambari performance. Fingerlings (300) of Lambari silver (Astyanax scabripinnis) were used with initial mean weight 5.07 ± 0.14 g and an average length of 5.88 ± 0.033 cm for males and the females had an initial weight of 6.67 ± 0.07g and a mean length of 6.28 ± 0.08 cm. A complete randomized experimental design was used with 3 treatments: T1: male separated from the female; T2: female separated from males presence, and T3: male and female together, with 3 repetition and 30 fingerlings in each aquarium, maintained in a aquarium of 1,000 l. The temperature of the morning had a mean of 24.0 ± 3.46 and 30.0 ± 0.67 ºC in the afternoon. The results demonstrate that the male cultivated alone obtained an inferior performance to the male and female together cultivated. The females cultivated alone showed a better performance in relation to the females in the presence of males, but for the total length there were no significant differences. The total length was significant in the T3 in relation to the T1.The viscerossomatic index obtained a significant result in the animals cultivated separated in relation to the animals cultivated together. For the carcass yield, the animals of the T1 resulted in higher and significant differences than the other treatments. The rate of specific growth of the animals in T2 treatment was the highest and the survival was significant higher for the T1 treatment. For the production of Lambari is recommended to cultivate lambaris males separated from the females.

Selectivity of the gillnet on the river curvinata, lagioscionn squamosissimus, in the middle Orinoco

Se hizo un estudio de la selectividad de la red de enmalle sobre la curvinata de río, Plagioscion squamosissimus, en la región del Orinoco Medio, encontrándose en el canal principal tallas óptimas de captura de 43,5 cm de longitud total para redes 10 cm de luz de malla y de 30,4 cm de longitud total para redes de 7 cm de luz de malla, mientras que en una laguna de inundación, las tallas óptimas de captura para redes de 10 cm de luz de malla, fue de 35,2 cm de longitud total y 24,64 cm de longitud total para redes de 7 cm de luz de malla. Tomando en cuenta la talla de primera madurez de P. squamosissimus en la región, el uso de redes de enmalle de 10 cm o más de luz de malla, no constituyen ningún peligro para la captura de peces inmaduros, al contrario del uso de redes de 7 cm de luz de malla.

Summary A study of the gillnet selectivity on the curvinata of river, Plagioscion squamosissimus, was made in the region of the Half Orinoco, being in the main channel, a good size of capture of 43.5 cm of total longitude for nets of 10 cm of mesh light and of 30.4 cm of total longitude for nets of 7 cm of mesh light, while in a flood lagoon these good sizes of capture for nets of 10 cm of mesh light it was of 35.2 cm of total longitude and 24.6 cm of total longitude for nets of 7 cm of mesh light. Taking into account the size of first maturity of P. squamosissimus in the region, the use of nets of gillnets of 10 cm or more than mesh light, it doesn't constitute danger some for the capture of immature fish, on the contrary of the use of nets of 7 cm of mesh light

Valuation of cottonseed meal in food of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) fingerlings

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho dos alevinos de tilápia do Nilo submetidas a diferentes níveis de inclusão do farelo de algodão (FA) (00; 20; 40; 60 e 80%) com correção de fibra e aminoácidos. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Aquicultura da Universidade Estadual de Maringá, utilizando-se 250 alevinos, com peso médio inicial de 0,35 ± 0,07g, comprimento inicial médio de 2,95 ± 0,20cm e idade aproximada de 35 dias, distribuídos em 25 tanques de 250L, num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram ganhas de peso (GP), conversão alimentar (CA), taxa de eficiência protéica (TEP), sobrevivência (SO), índice hepato-somático (IHS), fator de condição (FC), percentagem de proteína na carcaça (PC) e percentagem de gordura na carcaça (GC). O GP e a TEP apresentaram redução linear na medida em que o FA foi incluído nas rações, porém não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os com 20 e 40% de inclusão. A CA e o IHS apresentaram aumento linear, e também não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os com 20 e 40% de inclusão. A SO, MS, PC, GC e FC não apresentaram diferenças (P>0,05) significativas entre os diferentes tratamentos. Conclui-se que quando a dieta é suplementada com aminoácidos sintéticos é possível utilizar até 40% de inclusão de FA sem alterar de forma significativa o desempenho dos animais nesta fase de desenvolvimento.

Summary The experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the Nile tilapia fingerlings performance under different levels of cottonseed meal (CM) inclusion (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) with fiber and aminoacids correction. The experiment was carried out in the Laboratório de Aquicultura da Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Two hundred fifty fingerlings were used with an initial medium weight of 0.35 ± 0.07g, medium initial length of 2.95 ± 0.20cm, and an approximated age of 35 days. Fingerlings were divided in 25 tanks of 250 lt, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications. The evaluated variables were weight gain (WG), feed gain (FG) , protein efficiency rate (PER), survival (S), hepatic-somatic index (HSI), condition factor (CF), protein in the carcass (PC), and fat in the carcass (FP). The WG and PER presented a linear decrease when the CM was included in the ration, as well FG and HSI. The S, DM, FC and CF did not show significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatments. It was concluded that cottonseed meal influenced in a negative way the fingerlings performance when the rations were supplemented with synthetic aminoacids.

Effect of cutting and grazing on biomass production of Giricidia sepìum

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar el efecto de la poda y el pastoreo sobre la producción de biomasa de Gliricidia sepium. La Gliricidia sepium se sembró en un área que ocupó el 25% del potrero a una densidad de 3.333 plantas/ha. La zona tiene un promedio de precipitación anual de 942 mm y temperatura de 25,5 ºC. Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado con treinta repeticiones por tratamiento y cuatro tratamientos: T1: pastoreo + poda después de cada pastoreo, T2: pastoreo + poda cada dos pastoreos, T3: pastoreo + poda cada tres pastoreos y T4: pastoreo + poda cuando la planta alcanzó una altura de 160 cm. El potrero fue pastoreado por hembras en crecimiento, mestizas Holstein, cada tres meses. Se realizaron muestreos destructivos y no destructivos antes de cada pastoreo. Se detectaron diferencias significativas (P<0,05) en las variables materia seca de hojas, materia seca de tallos con Ø < 8 mm y materia seca de tallos Ø > 8 mm. El tratamiento más desfavorable desde el punto de vista de producción de biomasa fue el tratamiento 1 y el que mayor producción obtuvo fue el 4, resultando los tratamientos 2 y 3, con valores intermedios entre los dos primeros. Se observó una mayor mortalidad de plantas de tratamiento 1 con respecto al resto. En términos de acumulación de biomasa comestible y no comestible y persistencia de las plantas, los tratamientos 2 y 3 resultaron mejores que el 1 y el 4. Se recomienda, para fines de manejo del cultivo en condiciones similares, utilizar frecuencias de poda cada dos o tres pastoreos, considerando de vital importancia el comportamiento de la precipitación y su efecto directo sobre el cultivo.

Summary It was carried out an experiment to evaluate the effect of cutting and grazing on the biomass production of Gliricidia sepium. Gliricidia sepium was sowed in a paddock covering 25% with a density of 3.333 plants/ha. The location has an annual precipitation mean of 942 mm, and a mean temperature of 25.5ºC. A complete random design was used with thirty repetitions by treatment and four treatments: T1: grazing + cutting after each grazing, T2: grazing + cutting after each two grazing, T3: grazing + cutting after each three grazing, and T4: grazing + cutting when the plant reaches a height of 160 cm. The paddock was grazed by female growing cattle, Holstein , every three months. Previous to each grazing was carried out a destructive and a non destructive sampling. Differences (P<0.05) were found in biomass production of leaves, biomass production of branches with Ø<8 mm, and biomass production of branches with Ø>8 mm. The most unfavorable treatment from the point of view of biomass production was the treatment 1, while treatment 4 obtained the highest production. A higher mortality of plants was observed in treatment 1. In terms of accumulation of edible and no edible biomass, and persistence of the plants, treatments 2 and 3 were better than 1 and 4. It is recommended, for crop management under similar conditions, to use cutting frequencies every two or three grazing periods, considering of vital importance the behavior of the precipitation and its direct effect on the crop.

Short and thick stakes: An agronomic option for vegetative sowing of Gliricidia sepium

Para mejorar la eficiencia agronómica en la propagación asexual de Gliricidia sepium se instalaron dos ensayos: el 24-04-98 en La Colorada y el 29-07-98 en La San Juana, ambos ubicados en Colón (Bosque húmedo pre montano), estado Táchira, Venezuela. El primero con un diseño factorial 3 x 3, completamente aleatorizado con cuatro repeticiones. Se evaluaron tres longitudes, L1=10, L2=15 y L3=20 cm y tres rangos de diámetros, D1=2,5-3,5; D2=3,6-4,5 y D3=4,6-5,5 cm. En el segundo ensayo se utilizo un diseño completamente aleatorizado con 10 repeticiones, evaluándose las longitudes M1=8 y M2=10 cm y los rangos de diámetro E1=5,0-6,0; E2=6,1-7,0 y E3=7,1-8,0 cm. En el primer ensayo, la brotación ocurrió entre 22 y 37 días. En el segundo, la brotación ocurrió entre los nueve y los 60 días. En estacas £20 cm se evidenció que el diámetro influye sobre la brotación (P<0,01). La probabilidad de rebrote de estacas cortas con diámetros <4,5 cm fue prácticamente nula. Las estacas de 10 cm de longitud con diámetros >5 cm presentaron la mayor eficiencia de brotación con valores entre 90 y 100%.

Summary To improve the agronomic efficiency in the asexual propagation of Gliricidia sepium, two essays were installed: one at La Colorada on 04-24-98 , and the other at La San Juana on 07-29-98 , both of them located in Colón ( Pre Mountainous Humid Forest ), Táchira state, Venezuela . In the first essay, a completely randomized factorial 3x3 design with three replicates was conducted, where treatments were stakes length: L1=10, L2=15, and L3=20 cm, and diameter ranges, D1=2.5-3.5, D2=3.6-4.5, and D3=4.6-5.5 cm. In the second essay, 10 replicates in a completely randomized design where treatments were stakes length: M1=8 and M2=10 cm, and diameter ranges: E1=5.0-6.0, E2=6.1-7.0, and E3=7.1-8.0 cm. In the first essay, sprouting occurred 22-37 days after sowing. In the second essay, sprouting occurred 9-60 days after sowing. In stakes £20 cm length it was evident that the diameter had a direct influence on sprouting. The probability of sprouting of short stakes with diameters <4.5 cm was practically null. Stakes of 10 cm length with diameters >5 cm showed the highest agronomic efficiency. In those stakes, sprouting ranged 90 to 100%.

Effects of the methods of grazing on modulated savannahs. I. Succession of the pasture

El estudio fue desarrollado en el Módulo Experimental de Mantecal, Estado Apure, Venezuela (7°35 N y 69°10 O), durante el período 1984-1998, sobre sabanas hiperestacionales con 5 meses de déficit hídrico y 5 meses de exceso de humedad. La vegetación dominante en los Bancos (fisiografías altas) estuvo constituida por Panicum laxum, Paspalum chaffanjonii, Leersia hexandra y Axonopus compressus, conjuntamente con más de 80 especies; en los Bajíos (fisiografías medias) estuvo conformada por las tres primeras especies señaladas más Hymenachne amplexicaulis y 50 adicionales. En los Esteros (fisiografías bajas), la inundación anual reduce la dominancia a L. hexandra e H. amplexicaulis, y a otras 15 especies hidrófilas. Donde se asignaron 200 ha con similares proporciones altas, medias y bajas a cada tratamiento de: pastoreo continuo (PC), diferido (PD) o la utilización de las zonas altas durante las fuertes lluvias, las zonas medias en la transición lluvia-sequía y sequía-lluvia, y las zonas bajas durante el período seco; y pastoreo diferido rotativo (PDR), con similar uso al tratamiento PD, pero con tres subdivisiones en su zona media y seis en su zona baja. La modalidad de producción fue de sistema vaca-maute, con carga animal promedio de 0.50 UA/ha/año. El efecto del tratamiento de PC produjo sobre las zonas altas una disminución de la Cobertura General Aérea (CGA) y de L. hexandra y P. laxum e incremento de malezas y especies de menor deseabilidad; mientras que bajo PD existió una mayor estabilidad de la CGA y de las especies más deseables. Bajo PDR hubo incremento de la principal especie (L. hexandra). Los valores promedios de CGA resultaron en 46,7; 54,2 y 57,5% para PC, PD y PDR, respectivamente. En las zonas medias se encontró variado efecto entre tratamientos en la CGA, los promedios obtenidos fueron 48,1; 62,3 y 54,7%, en el mismo orden de tratamiento, con mayor contribución de la especie menos deseable Panicum versicolor bajo PC, y en los tratamientos PD y PDR se obtuvieron 4 y 6 veces mayor contribución de L. hexandra, respectivamente. En las zonas bajas los tratamientos PD y PDR aportaron más del doble de la cobertura de las especies deseables de esteros que PC. La CGA promedio fue 29,6; 54,1 y 48,6% para PC, PD y PDR. Similares tendencias fueron encontradas en la Materia Seca Deseable (MSD) presente para zonas y tratamientos, con claras definiciones en las zonas altas (PC =1014; PD =2418 y PDR =2004 Kg/ha) y bajas (PC =843; PD =2057 y PDR =1609 Kg/ha), no así en la media (PC =1933; PD =2153 y PDR =2087 Kg/ha). El pastizal bajo PC mostró lenta recuperación con el inicio de las lluvias, y presentó en bancos 135 días y en esteros 225 días con MSD por debajo de 1.000 kg/ha. Así, existió una sucesión regresiva bajo PC bien definida en las zonas bajas y altas del pastizal, y de menor progreso en su zona media. Mientras en PD existió el mantenimiento de los recursos de la vegetación con mejoramiento en su zona baja; y en PDR se establece una sucesión secundaria progresiva. Estos procesos justifican la condición pobre de los pastizales sometidos a PC, la obtención de una condición buena en PD y el señalamiento en PDR de una condición que tiende a ser excelente.

Summary The research was developed in the Experimental Module of Mantecal, Apure State, Venezuela (7°35' N and 69°10' W), during the period 1984-1998, on hyperstational savannas, characterized as affected by five months of deficit hydric and five months of excess of humidity. The dominant vegetation in Bancos (high physiography) was constituted by Panicum laxum, Paspalum chaffanjonii, Leersia hexandra and Axonopus compressus grasses and more than other 80 species; in Bajíos (medium physiography), the vegetation was conformed by P. laxum, L. hexandra, P. chaffanjonii and Hymenachne amplexicaulis grasses, plus another 50 species; in the swamps or Esteros (low physiography), the annual flood rithm induces the dominance of L. hexandra and H. amplexicaulis grasses and other 15 hydrophyte species. 200 ha were assigned with similar proportions of high, medium and low physiographies to three different grazing methods: Continuous Grazing (PC), Deferred Grazing (PD) or the use of higher areas during the peak of the rainy season, the medium areas in the transition rainy-dry and dry-rainy period, and the low areas during the dry period; and Deferred-Rotary Grazing (PDR), with similar grazing management than PD, but with three subdivisions in their medium and six on low physiographies, respectively. The production system in the three treatments was a cow-steer and stocked at of 0.50 AU/ha/year. The treatments effect on the forage of the higher areas, under PC produced a decrease of the General Aerial Coverture (CGA), of L. hexandra and P. laxum grasses and an increment of weeds and species of low acceptability. Under PD a bigger stability of the CGA existed and of the most desirable species too; whereas, under PDR there was an increase of the main forage species (L. hexandra). The values of CGA were 46.7; 54.2 and 57.5% to P.C.; P.D. and P.D.R. In the medium areas there was little effect of treatments in the CGA (PC =48.1; PD =62.3 and PDR =54.7%), with a greater contribution of the least desirable species Panicum versicolor grass under PC, while in PD and PDR 4 and 6 times more contribution of L. hexandra, was detected when comparing against PC. In the low areas PD and PDR contributed more as twice as coverture of the desirable species of Esteros that PC. The CGA were 29.6; 54.1 and 48.6% to PC, P.D. and P.D.R. Similar tendencies were found in the Desirable Dry Matter (MSD) yield for areas and treatments, with clear definitions in the high (PC =1014; PD =2418; PDR =2004 kg/ha) and low areas (PC =843; PD =2057; PDR =1609 kg/ha), but not so on medium areas (PC =1933; PD =2153; PDR =2087 kg/ha). The vegetation with PC showed slow recovery at the beginning of the rainy season, and had in Bancos 135 days and in Esteros 225 days with yields below 1.000 M.S.D. kg/ha. Thus, a regressive succession existed under PC well defined in the low and high physiographies, and an smaller progress in this medium. While on PD the maintenance of the resources of the vegetation existed, with improvement in low physiography; and under PDR a progressive secondary succession occurred. These processes justify the poor condition of the pasture under PC, on behalf of a good condition for PD and a tendency to the excellent condition for PDR.

Effect of the methods of grazing on modulated savannahs. II. Protein and minerals composition in plant and soil

El estudio fue desarrollado en el Módulo Experimental de Mantecal, estado Apure, Venezuela (7°35 N y 69°10 O), durante el período 1984-1998, con el objetivo de evaluar la interacción entre la producción primaria y secundaria de sabanas hiperestacionales. La vegetación dominante en los Bancos (zona fisiográfica alta) estuvo constituida por Panicum laxum, Paspalum chaffanjonii, Leersia hexandra y Axonopus compressus, conjuntamente con más de 80 especies; en los Bajíos (zona fisiográfica media) estuvo conformada por las tres primeras especies señaladas más Hymenachne amplexicaulis y 50 adicionales; y en los Esteros (zona fisiográfica baja), la inundación anual reduce la dominancia a L. hexandra e H. amplexicaulis, y a otras 15 especies hidrófilas. Se asignaron 200 ha con similares proporciones altas, medias y bajas, por tratamiento de Pastoreo Continuo (PC), Pastoreo Diferido (PD) con utilización de las zonas altas durante las lluvias, las zonas medias en la transición lluvia-sequía y sequía-lluvia, y las zonas bajas durante el periodo seco, y Pastoreo Diferido Rotativo (PDR) con uso similar al tratamiento PD, pero con tres subdivisiones en su zona media y seis en su zona baja. La modalidad de producción para los tratamientos fue de sistema vaca-maute, con temporada de monta durante el periodo de sequía y carga animal promedio de 0,50 UA/ha/año. La concentración proteica de las pasturas resultó deficiente solo bajo PC durante el periodo seco (PC=5,8; PD=6,6 y PDR=7,3 %), con incremento al inicio de las lluvias por zona en: alta (14,1%) < media (16,3%) < baja (16,5%) y por tratamiento en: PC (13,6%) < PD (16,0%) < PDR (17,3%). Los niveles de fósforo generalizadamente deficitarios (0,15%) y de calcio deficitarios en especial bajo PC (PC=0,14; PD=0,21 y PDR=0,20%), solo cubren los niveles mínimos recomendados al inicio de las lluvias, con uso diferido (PC =0,16; PD=,24 y PDR=0,24%). Similar comportamiento indicó el nivel de magnesio durante la sequía (0,15%) y la lluvia (0,15%) con énfasis en zonas medias y bajas y de sodio en zonas altas (0,09%) y media (0,09%). El potasio sólo reporto déficit durante la sequía, con énfasis en PDR, (PC=0,56; PD =0,40 y PDR=0,25%), similarmente el cobre para zonas bajas (PC = 26; PD = 13 y PDR=9 ppm), y a su vez, el zinc en zonas bajas (26 ppm) y en esta última zona el azufre presentó déficit en todos los tratamientos (PC=0,10; PD=0,11 y PDR=0,10%). Estos tres últimos elementos elevan su disponibilidad al inicio de las lluvias. Durante la sequía, el hierro se incremento hasta 1.000 ppm en zonas medias y bajas y el manganeso hasta 300 ppm en zonas altas y medias de los tratamientos, con reducción significativa al inicio de lluvias. La especie L. hexandra se correlacionó positivamente con tenores de proteína y calcio e H. amplexicaulis con hierro y cobre, mientras que P. laxum con niveles de manganeso, potasio, zinc y cobre.

Summary The research was carried out in the Experimental Module of Mantecal, Apure state, Venezuela (7°35' N and 69°10' W), during the period 1984-1998, with the objective of evaluate the interaction between the primary and secondary production on hyperstational savannas. The dominant vegetation in the Bancos (high physiographic zone) was constituted by the grasses Panicum laxum, Paspalum chaffanjonii, Leersia hexandra and Axonopus compressus and more than other 80 species. In the Bajíos (medium physiographic zone) the vegetation was conformed by the grasses P. laxum, L. hexandra, P. chaffanjonii and Hymenachne amplexicaulis, plus another 50 species, while in the swamps or Esteros (low physiographic zone) the annual flood rhythm induces the dominance of L. hexandra and H. amplexicaulis grasses and other 15 hydrophyte species. Two hundred ha were assigned with similar proportions of high, medium and low physiographic zones to three different grazing methods: continuous (CG), deferred (DG) grazing as the use of higher areas during the peak of the rainy season, the medium areas in the transition rainy-dry and dry-rainy period, and the low areas during the dry period, and deferred-rotary Grazing (DRG), with similar grazing management than DG, but with three subdivisions in their medium and six on low physiographic zones, respectively. The production system in the three treatments was a cow-steer, with breeding season during the dry period, stocked at of 0.50 AU/ha/year. The DM protein concentration of the pastures were highly deficient only under CG, during the dry period (CG=5.8; DG=6.6; DRG=7.3%), with an increase at the beginning of the rainy season on: high (14.1%) < medium (16.3%) < low areas (16.5%); and for treatment on: CG (13.6%) < DG (16.0%) < DRG (17.3%). The levels of phosphorus were widespread deficient (0.15%) and for calcium was deficient especially under CG (CG=0.14; DG=0.21; DRG=0.20%), to approach minimum levels of those recommended at the beginning of the rainy period, in medium and low areas with deferred uses (CG=0.16; DG =0.24; DRG=0.24%). Similar pattern showed magnesium during the dry (0.15%) and rainy seasons (0.15%), with emphasis in medium and low areas, and for sodium in high (0.09%) and medium areas (0.09%). Potassium showed deficiency during the drought season, mainly under DRG (CG=0.56; DG=0.40; DRG=0.25%); similarly, copper for low areas (CG=26; DG=13; DRG=9 ppm), and zinc for medium and low areas (26 ppm). In this last area, sulphur showed deficit in all treatments (CG=0.10; DG=0.11; DRG=0.10%). These last three elements elevated their readiness at the beginning of the rainy season. During the dry season, iron increased up to 1.000 ppm in medium and low areas, and manganese up to 300 ppm in high and medium areas of the treatments, with significant reductions at the beginning of the rainy season. L. hexandra grass was positively correlated with the levels of DM protein concentration and calcium, as well, H. amplexicaulis grass with iron and cooper, and P. laxum grass with manganese, potassium, zinc and cooper.