Establishment and evaluation of Guinea grass Panicum maximum cv. Massai in the Guachicono del Bordo Farm, Patía (Cauca)

Abstract

The articles aims to evaluate the adaptation and production of Panicum maximum cv. Massai in the region of Bordo (Cauca, Colombia). To the effect, seed imported from Brazil was planted in one hectare with a density of 5 kg/ha. Once the grassland was established, samples were collected and variables were measured in three stages: at 30, 60, and 90 days. The variables measured were: yield per square meter, production per hectare and per year, plant height, and root length. Finally, forage samples were collected for nutritional quality analysis, in order to assess the nutrient content in each of the ages, as well as to observe their tendencies. Regarding productivity, the grass was consistent with previously reported data, calculating a production of dry matter per year of 24.16 t. Similarly, the nutritional content of the grass also showed consistency in some data, such as dry matter on day 30, giving a content of 22.8%. The average height was of 74.50 cm at day 90, coinciding with the height range reported for Panicum maximum cv. Massai, while the crude protein value was the most distant from what has been reported, since the closest value was 11.8 at day 90. In conclusion, the grass showed good behavior, development, and resistance to conditions in the Colombian low tropics.
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Keywords

Grasses
forages
nutritional quality
Panicum maximum cv. Massai.