Resumo

FARIA MARMOL, Jesús  e  SANCHEZ, Alexander. Effect of deferment of utilization on the nutrient content and organic matter digestibility of buffel - leucaena association. INCI [online]. 2007, vol.32, n.3, pp.185-187. ISSN 0378-1844.

An experiment was conducted in a semi-arid region of the Zulia State, Venezuela (10º32’N, 71º42’W), with a 600mm average annual rainfall, where the soil is a sandy-loam Aridisol, pH 5.5 and average Ca, Mg, Na, K and P content of 0.6, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.17mg/100g soil and 6 ppm, respectively. The purpose was to evaluate in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), crude protein (CP) and macroelement concentration of a buffel (Cenchrus Ciliaris) - leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) association as affected by deferment at four utilization ages (42, 84, 126, and 168 days). A randomized block experimental design with three replicates was used. Samples consisting of leaf and stems of buffel grass and fine fraction (pinnae, petioles and stems <5mm in diameter) of leucaena were analyzed for CP, IVOMD, Ca, P, Mg, and Na content. In buffel, CP (8,66%) and K (3,65%) contents were considered adequate for grazing ruminants, while Ca, P, Mg, and Na were deficient. In leucaena CP, Ca, Mg, and K were adequate, while P and Na were below the critical deficiency level. Only Na concentration increased (P<0,05) with increasing maturity.

Palavras-chave : Buffel; Leucaena; Macroelementos; Proteína; Rumiantes.