N. Ramos et al., A STUDY ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF TEMPERATE GRASSES EVALUATED IN CUBA, Cuban journal of agricultural science, 29(1), 1995, pp. 107-111
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.