Nutritional value of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids compared to other roughage sources used in the period of low availability of pastures.

摘要

The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional value of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids to roughages collected in differed pastures, reserves of forage for using in cutting regime and conserved forage as hays or silages. The sorghum-sudangrass hybrids AG2501C and BRS800 showed similar bromatological composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Compared to other roughages, theses hybrids presented a higher protein level and intermediary values of cell wall contents. The coefficients of IVDMD observed for sorghum-sudangrass hybrids were not statistically different to the results of corn silage, elephantgrass and sugarcane managed in cutting regime. However, IVDMD of those hybrids was significantly higher than of coast-cross and tifton 85 hays, sorghum silage and differed pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and signal grass. The results indicated that sorghum-sudangrass hybrids may be used as roughage of high nutritional value during the drought.