Effects of increasing nitrogen levels in Mombasa grass on pasture characteristics, chemical composition, and beef cattle performance in the humid tropics of the Amazon

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing nitrogen levels (150, 300, and 450  kg ha−1 of N  year−1) inMegathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa in the humid tropics of the Amazon. The following parameters were evaluated: pasture agronomic characteristics, herbage chemical composition, and beef cattle performance. A total of 24 nine-month-old Nellore bulls with initial mean weight of 173  ± 1.95 kg were used for the performance test. The experimental design was a randomized block with three treatments. Herbage mass and leaf mass contents were increased by the highest nitrogen level (P <  0.05). Nitrogen levels elevated the forage accumulation rate, final leaf blade length, and pre-grazing canopy height(P <  0.05). The crude protein content increased at the highest N level (P <  0.05). The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents decreased with increasing N levels. The stocking rate and total weight gain per hectare were higher in bulls grazing pastures fertilized with 450 compared with 150 kg ha−1 of N  year−1(P <  0.05). The average daily gain was influenced by N levels (P <  0.05). Nitrogen levels at 300 and 450 kg increased animal weight gain and productivity per area by increasing forage yield and improving the chemical composition of Mombasa grass.
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research