A STUDY ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF TEMPERATE GRASSES EVALUATED IN CUBA

The species Lollum multiflorum cv Dilana and Avena sativa cv Secale (f rom Germany), as well as their mixture at 50%, were evaluated under ir rigation conditions during the dry season using a random block design with 4 replications. The highest DM yield was obtained in the mixture (7.1 and 2.9 t/ha and the lowest (P < 0.05) for oats (4.3 and 1.3 t/ha for the 1st. and 2nd. cut, respectively Lolium showed the highest (P < 0.01) leaf percentage with values higher than 75%. Similar performan ce, but for height was presented by the oat. The lowest (P < 0.05) pho sphorus (0.33%) and potassium (2.26%) contents were obtained In the Lo lium and oat mixture, while there were no significant differences for calcium, magnesium and silica. Lolium recorded the highest (P < 0.05) protein, alcohol and total soluble carbohydrates (18.5; 22.1 and 26.7% , respectively). There were no significant differences for the cell wa ll, hemicellulose and digestibility, being A. sativa the most fibrous species (33.6%) and Lolium that of highest (P < 0.05) lignine and cell ulose contents (5.8 and 26.2%, respectively). Results evidenced that d uring the dry season and using irrigation these species and their mixt ure can be an option for covering, in part, the production deficit of tropical pastures under the climatic conditions of Cuba, although furt her studies to complement results obtained, are necessary.