HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Romero, F. Articles by French, E. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Romero, F. Articles by French, E. C.

Effect of Cutting Interval upon Yield, Composition and Digestibility of Florida 77 Alfalfa and Florigraze Rhizoma Peanut¹

University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

Abstract

Florida 77 alfalfa was harvested at 3, 4 and 5 regrowth weeks and Florigraze rhizoma peanut at 6, 9 and 12 wk in summer and fall. Alfalfa dry matter (DM) yield increased and leaf percent of DM decreased from 3 to 5 wk. Neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF) fiber contents were higher for stems than leaves but did not change with maturity. Average crude protein (CP) was 27% in leaves and 11% in stems. Peanut DM yield was higher in summer than fall and increased with maturity. In summer, leaf percent decreased with maturity but not in fall. Leaf NDF and ADF were higher in summer than fall. Maturity had no effect on leaf NDF or ADF during summer but did in fall. Stem NDF and ADF increased with maturity in summer. Average CP was 19% in leaves and 9.2% in stems. In vivo digestibilities of DM, NDF and ADF decreased in alfalfa from wk 4 to 5, were higher in peanut fall forage vs summer, and decreased with maturity in summer but not in fall. In vitro organic matter digestibility ranked hays similar to in vivo; comparatively, digestibility estimates with acid insoluble ash were not acceptable. Ruminal DM and CP degradation in situ were higher for alfalfa than peanut. Alfalfa leaves were more degradable than peanut leaves but peanut stems were more degradable than alfalfa stems. In situ forage DM degradation was lower in cows fed 70% concentrate diet than in those that were fed peanut hay. The results are interpreted to indicate that although CP of peanut was lower than alfalfa, similar digestibility and slower rate of CP degradability suggest nearly equal overall nutritive value.

¹ Florida Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Ser. No. 7763.

² Dept. Prod. Anim., CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

³ Dairy Sci. Dept.

⁴ Agron. Dept.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. C. Newman, L. E. Sollenberger, K. J. Boote, L. H. Allen Jr., J. C. V. Vu, and M. B. Hall Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Effects on Nutritive Value of Rhizoma Peanut Herbage Crop Sci., January 1, 2005; 45(1): 316 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Garay, L. E. Sollenberger, C. R. Staples, and C. G. S. Pedreira 'Florigraze' and 'Arbrook' Rhizoma Peanut as Pasture for Growing Holstein Heifers Crop Sci., July 1, 2004; 44(4): 1355 - 1360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. D. Redfearn, B. C. Venuto, and W.D. Pitman Nutritive Value Responses of Rhizoma Peanut to Nitrogen and Harvest Frequency Agron. J., January 1, 2001; 93(1): 107 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text]