Amostras simulando o pastejo de capim Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq.) irrigado sob três resíduo pós-pastejo (T1= baixo; T2= médio; T3= alto) foram coletadas durante um ano e analisadas para a determinação da composição protéica e dos carboidratos, e das frações protéicas e carboidratos (CNCPS). O teor de NDT também foi estimado. Nos períodos de verão, outono e primavera, foi avaliado a degradação ruminal da MS, FDN, FDA, PB e nFDN das amostras de pastejo simulado. Nestes períodos, também foi estimado o consumo de forragem usando-se o óxido de cromo como marcador. Não houve diferença de qualidade nutricional entre os tratamentos. Os maiores teores de FDN (68,3 a 64,5%) e FDA (34,89 a 33,18%) ocorreram no período de primavera/verão. A lignina apresentou maiores proporções no inverno (4,68 a 4,10), provocando variação na fração C dos carboidratos (14,14 a 23,21 %CT). O NDT variou entre 55,26 e 59,31%. O teor de PB teve tendência de aumento ao longo do ano, variando de 11,29 a 14,61%. Os teores de NnP variaram entre 18,23 e 28,77 %PB, sendo menores durante a primavera/verão. O Nsol variou de 24,97 a 35,97 %PB. A fração nFDN foi, em média, de 49,11 %PB. Para o nFDA, a variação foi de 6,48 e 11,94 %PB. A avaliação da degradação ruminal indica que as maiores taxas de degradações e menores frações indisponíveis ocorreram no período de verão. O T1 foi o tratamento que apresentou maior redução de digestibilidade entre o verão (81,41%) e a primavera (74,96%). A fração prontamente solúvel da proteína pode ser maior que 40% da PDR, que variou entre 76,36 %PB (verão) e 62,05 %PB (primavera). A fração indigestível da FDN (C) é maior que a estimada pelo CNCPS a partir dos teores de lignina/FDN multiplicados por 2,4. Os resultados deste trabalho indicam que o fator de multiplicação deve estar entre 2,91 e 3,35. A fração C do nFDN (12,11 a 17,08%) é maior que a calculada em laboratório como sendo nFDA (6,48 a 10,7%). Quanto maior o teor de PB e de nFDN, pior foi a digestibilidade da PB. A menor qualidade da planta no período entre julho e setembro pode estar relacionada à menor renovação de tecidos durante o período de inverno e ao acúmulo de perfilhos florescidos. O consumo de forragem foi menor para o T1 (65,8 g/kg PM) e para o período de primavera (61,3 g/kg PM). Em média, o consumo de FDN foi de 1,34% do peso animal. A altura do resíduo póspastejo, a oferta de folhas e a MSD explicaram, em média, 50% do consumo de forragem nas três estações do ano. No período do verão, houve aumento no consumo de forragem com o aumento da altura de pastejo e da oferta de folhas. Ainda no período de verão, o consumo máximo de forragem (82,98 g/kg PM) foi obtido com um resíduo de 2833 kg MSV/ha. A relação PDR/MDOR foi, entre 15,02 e 19,18%, gerando um excesso de N ruminal entre 4 e 29%. / The objective of this work was to: determine the chemical composition; study DM, NDF, CP and nNDF ruminal kinectics; estimate forage intake by Nellore growing steers of irrigated Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.); and validate the Cornell system. Simulated-grazed samples were collected on three periods of the year (spring, summer and fall, totaling 10 grazing cycles) on irrigated paddocks, rotationally grazed to three post grazing green dry matter residues (T1 = low, T2 = medium and T3 = high). Three rumen cannulated animals were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design to determine the in situ degradability up to 96 hours of incubation. NDF, CP and nNDF were determined through NIRS in the residue remaining in the bags. Although there were no statistical differences imposed by the treatments during the year, the NDF and ADF showed higher values (P <.05) in the spring/summer, and lignin in the winter (P <.05) grazing cycles. Along the year the carbohydrate C fraction, TDN and CP varied from 14.14 to 23.21%, 55.26 to 59.31% and 11.29 to 14.61%, respectively. The Nsol, NNP and nADF (as CP%) varied from 18.23 to 28.77%, 24.97 to 35.97% and 6.48% to 11.94%, respectively. The average nFDN (as CP%) was 49.11%. From July to September forage quality was the lowest, probably due to the slowest tissue replenishment and flowering tillers’ accumulation. The N largest proportion (average of 40% of the CP fraction) was recovered in the cell wall, specifically in the B3 fraction, which should be the most important fraction on ruminal fermentation kinetics studies. Forage quality was the highest in the summer. The low post grazing residue treatment showed the largest increase in digestibility in all fractions from spring (74.96%) to summer (81.41%). The soluble protein fraction showed values up to 40% of the RDP, which varied from 62 to 76% of the CP. The NDF C fraction was underestimated by the CNCPS; our data suggests the %lignin/% NDF should be multiplied by a factor between 2.91 and 3.35. The CNCPS overestimated the nNDF C fraction (12.11 to 17.08%) as compared to the wet lab analysis value, as regarded to be the nADF fraction (6.48 to 10.7%). In general our results showed that the CP digestibility decreased as the CP and nNDF contents increased. The low post grazing residue and the spring time showed the lowest forage intake (65.8 and 61.3 g/kg PM, respectively). On the average the NDF intake was 1.34% of live weight. The post grazing height, leaf allowance and digestible dry matter explained 50% of forage intake. The forage intake increased as both the post grazing and leaf allowance increased during the summer. The estimated maximum forage intake (82.98 g/kg PM) during the summer was obtained with a post-grazing residue of 2,833 kg/ha of GDMR. The estimated range of RDP/RDOM ratio was from 15.02 to 19.18, which indicates an excess of rumen nitrogen of 4 to 29%. Overall the forage intake was overestimated in 3.8 to 55% by the CNCPS.

Prairie bromegrass is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass with potential as a valuable forage crop in the southeastern USA. The objective of this study was to compare dry matter production, persistence, nutritive value, and beef cattle grazing preference of two experimental lines and a commercial species (cv. Matua) of prairie bromegrass. Plots were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. When each plot accumulated at least 20 cm of growth, plots were grazed with Hereford x Angus steers at a stocking rate of 8400 kg/ha until the first plot was grazed down to 7 cm in height. Pre- and post-grazing quadrats were taken for DM and animal preference estimation and nutrient analyses. No differences in nutritive value or grazing preference were seen among species. Treatment interactions were observed for DM production and persistence. The results suggest that there are differences in growth traits among the bromegrass species observed.

Submitted by Leonardo Cavalcante (leo.ocavalcante@gmail.com) on 2018-04-23T23:19:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 1967881 bytes, checksum: 7ca8d86d26370955fcc5937ad9344abc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-23T23:19:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 1967881 bytes, checksum: 7ca8d86d26370955fcc5937ad9344abc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Sesbania virgata is a shrub belonging to a family Leguminosae whose fruit presents seeds with high protein content. Considering the potential of use of this species as a biotechnological tool, the objective this paper was to characterize the seeds of S. virgata (Cav.) Pers., as well as evaluate extracts and fractions for a presence of some biological activities of medical and pharmacological interest. For this, S. virgata seeds were collected in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, and had their morpho-physical-chemical characteristics determined. Afterwards, the seeds were delipidated, processed and solubilized in extractive solutions, obtaining 30 extracts and 10 protein fractions, allowing a characterization of the antinutritional factors; protein and amino acid profile; and biological activities. The nutritional characteristics of the seed flour emphasize its high protein content. The optimization of the production of extracts and fractions allowed obtaining the total crude extract (EBT), purification of the protein fraction with lectin activity (FPAL) and the determination of several antinutritional factors. The protein analyzes revealed 60.79% of total protein for the fine flour (FF), 49.34% for EBT and 55.84% for FPAL. With molecular weights between 31-225 kDa, FF, EBT and FPAL presented antioxidant activity. However, they did not present antibacterial activity against the strains investigated, but promoted the inhibition of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum. In addition to the high protein content and biological activities, it is important to incorporate new analyzes into the products so that, in the future, they will be viable in the food or pharmaceutical industry, by creating of topical drugs to control fungal contamination or reduction of the damage caused to human health by free radicals and other oxidants. / Sesbania virgata é um arbusto pertencente a família Leguminosae, cujo fruto apresenta sementes com elevados teores proteicos. Considerando o potencial de uso dessa espécie como ferramenta biotecnológica, objetivou-se caracterizar nutricional, antinutricional e bioquimicamente as sementes de Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers., bem como avaliar extratos e frações proteicas quanto a presença de algumas atividades biológicas de interesse médico e farmacológico. Para tal, sementes de Sesbania virgata foram coletadas na cidade de João Pessoa, Paraíba, e tiveram suas características morfo-físico-químicas determinadas. Posteriormente, as sementes foram delipidadas, processadas e solubilizadas em soluções extratoras, obtendo-se 30 extratos e 10 frações proteicas, permitindo a caracterização dos fatores antinutricionais, do perfil proteico e aminoacídico, e atividades biológicas. As características nutricionais da farinha enfatizaram seu elevado teor protéico. A otimização da produção dos extratos e frações permitiu a obtenção do extrato bruto total (EBT), a purificação da fração proteica com atividade lectínica (FPAL) e a determinação de fatores antinutricionais diversos. As análises proteicas revelaram 60,79% de proteína total para a farinha fina (FF), 49,34% para EBT e 55,84% para FPAL. Com massas moleculares entre 31-225 kDa, FF, EBT e FPAL apresentaram atividade antioxidante. Contudo, não apresentaram atividade antibacteriana contra as cepas investigadas, mas promoveram a inibição de Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Aspergillus flavus e Penicillium citrinum. Ressalta-se, além do elevado teor proteico e atividades biológicas apresentados, a importância em incorporar novas análises aos produtos para que, futuramente, apresentem viabilidade de implementação na alimentação ou na indústria farmacêutica, mediante criação de fármacos tópicos para controle da contaminação fúngica ou redução dos danos causados à saúde humana pelos radicais livres e outros oxidantes.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ruminants have a compound stomach system that enables them to utilize forages more efficiently than monogastric animals. However, forages alone do not contain sufficient nutrients to meet the requirements of high producing dairy cows. Forages are high in fibre and their nutrient availability depends on the degree of cell wall degradability. Improvements in forage fermentation would increase energy intake and subsequently milk production and performance by dairy cows. It is therefore important to find ways to improve forage degradation and utilization in the rumen. The use of different non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) sources has different effects on animal performance. Supplementing forage based diets with energy sources containing sugar, starch or pectin results in variation in performance measurements such as milk yield, milk composition and dry matter intake (DMI). This thesis reports on two studies in which the effect of energy supplementation on forage fermentation and digestion parameters was investigated. In the first study an in vitro gas production protocol was used to determine the effect of sugar (molasses), starch (maize meal) and pectin (citrus pulp) on total gas production and rate of gas production of different forages. The forage substrates included wheat straw (WS), oat hay, (OH) lucerne hay (LUC), ryegrass (RYE) and kikuyu grass (KIK). The three energy sources, as well as a control (no energy source) were incubated in vitro with each of the above mentioned forages. Rumen fluid was collected from two lactating Holstein cows receiving a diet consisting of oat hay, lucerne, wheat straw and a concentrate mix. Forages alone (0.25 g DM) and/or together (0.125 g DM) with either molasses (0.1412 g DM), citrus pulp (0.1425 g DM) or maize meal (0.125 g DM) were weighed into glass vials and incubated for 72 hours. The weights of the energy sources were calculated on an energy equivalent basis. Blank vials, that contained no substrates, were included to correct for gas production from rumen fluid alone. The substrates were incubated in 40 ml buffered medium, 2 ml of reducing solution and 10 ml rumen fluid. Gas pressure was recorded automatically every five minutes using a pressure transducer system and the method based on the Reading Pressure Technique (Mauricio et al., 1999). Gas pressure was converted to gas volume using a predetermined regression equation. In the first gas production trial, the gas production included gas produced by the energy sources, while in the second gas production trial, the energy source gas production was deducted from the total gas production to determine the effect of energy source on gas production of respective forage substrates per se. Data were fitted to two non-linear models adapted from Ørskov and McDonald (1979). Significant forage x energy interactions were observed for the non-linear parameter gas production (b) in Model 1 and for b and lag phase (L) in Model 2 in both trials. In the first gas production trial, the higher fermentability of the energy sources supplemented to forage substrates, increased b (Model 1 & 2) of the LUC and WS. The gas production rate was affected in different ways for different forages, with the most noticeable effect on WS when it was supplemented with energy sources. All the energy sources increased c of WS irrespective of the model used. Energy sources had no effect on the L of LUC, OH or RYE, but decreased the L of WS and KIK. In the second trial, maize meal had no effect on b for any of the forages (Model 1 & 2), while molasses (Model 1 & 2) decreased b for all forage substrates, and citrus pulp (Model 1 & 2) decreased b of OH and RYE, to lower values than those of the control treatments. Gas production rate was not affected by molasses for any of the forage substrates, while citrus pulp (Model 1 & 2) increased c of OH and maize meal increased c of OH and KIK. Lag phase was only affected by energy sources in WS and KIK, where all the energy sources had lower L values than the control treatment. It was concluded that forage fermentability is affected differently by different energy sources. These observations may have important implications, in practice, on rumen health and milk production, and the data obtained can potentially be used as guidelines in feed formulations. In the second study, in vitro digestibility trials were undertaken to determine the effect of sugar (molasses and sucrose), starch (maize meal and maize starch) and pectin (citrus pulp and citrus pectin) on neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and dry matter (DM) degradability of forages. Forage substrates used included wheat straw, oat hay, lucerne hay, ryegrass and kikuyu grass. Rumen fluid was collected from two lactating Holstein cows receiving a diet consisting of oat hay, wheat straw and a concentrate mix. In vitro degradability was done with an ANKOM Daisy II incubator and forage substrates were incubated with or without the respective energy sources for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The substrates were incubated in 1076 ml buffered medium, 54 ml of reducing solution and 270 ml rumen fluid. The residues were washed, dried and analyzed for NDF. In the study with the applied energy sources (molasses, maize meal and citrus pulp) there were a forage x energy source interactions. Supplementation with the applied energy sources all improved dry matter degradability (DMD) of forages (24 and 72 hours), when compared to the control treatment, except for RYE supplemented with maize meal and citrus pulp at 24 hours. Molasses seemed to have had the biggest effect on DMD in all forage substrates. Supplementation with maize meal had no effect on neutral detergent fibre degradability (NDFD) of any forage substrate, except for an improvement in NDFD of LUC at 72 hours. Molasses improved NDFD of LUC at 24h, but had no effect on the other forage substrates. Citrus pulp improved NDFD of OH (72 hours), as well as LUC and WS (24 and 72 hours). It is postulated that the NDF of the energy sources was more digestible than that of the respective forages, and that the improved NDFD values could be ascribed to the contribution of the energy source NDFD. Overall, pasture grasses had a higher NDFD than the hays and straw, and appear to be more readily fermentable by rumen microbes than the low quality hays and straw explaining the higher NDFD. In the study involving the purified energy sources (sucrose, maize starch and citrus pectin), forage x energy source interactions were observed. In general, supplementation with these energy sources improved DMD at 24 and 72 hours except for RYE and KIK (72 hours). Pasture grasses (RYE and KIK) had a higher NDFD than LUC, OH and WS. At 72 hours, NDFD was 37.1% for LUC, 42.5% for OH and 40.3% for WS, compared to 70.5% for KIK and 64.9% for RYE. A possible explanation is that KIK and RYE samples came from freshly cut material, harvested after a 28d re-growth period. In general, sucrose (24 and 72 hours) and citrus pectin (72 hours) had no effect on NDFD of forage substrates. However, supplementing oat hay (24 hours) with starch and citrus pectin, and wheat straw (24 and 72 hours) with starch lowered NDFD, when compared to the control treatment. It is hypothesized that microbes fermented the easily fermentable energy sources first, before attacking forage NDF. The study suggested that forage NDFD values are not fixed, and may be altered by type of energy supplementation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meervoudige maagsisteem van herkouers stel hulle in staat om ruvoer meer effektief te benut as enkelmaagdiere. Ruvoere alleen bevat egter nie genoeg voedingstowwe om die behoeftes van hoogproduserende melkbeeste te bevredig nie. Ruvoere is ryk aan vesel en hul voedingstofbeskikbaarheid word bepaal deur die graad van selwand degradeerbaarheid. ‘n Verhoging in ruvoerfermentasie sal energieinname verhoog en gevolglik ook melkproduksie en prestasie. Dit is dus belangrik om maniere te vind om ruvoerdegradeerbaarheid en -verbruik in die rumen te verbeter. Die gebruik van verskillende nie-vesel koolhidraat (NFC) bronne het verskillende uitwerkings op die prestasie van diere. Energie-aanvullings soos suiker, stysel en pektien tot ruvoer-gebasseerde diëte, beïnvloed prestasiemaatstawwe soos melkproduksie, melksamestelling en droëmateriaalinname (DMI) op verskillende maniere. Hierdie tesis lewer verslag oor twee studies waar die invloed van energie-aanvullings op ruvoerfermentasie en verteringsmaatstawwe ondersoek is. In die eerste studie is ‘n in vitro gasproduksieprotokol gebruik om die invloed van suiker (melasse), stysel (mieliemeel) en pektien (sitruspulp) op totale gasproduksie (b) en tempo van gasproduksie (c) van verskillende ruvoersubstrate te bepaal. Ruvoersubstrate wat gebruik is, was koringstrooi (WS), hawerhooi (OH), lusernhooi (LUC), raaigras (RYE) en kikuyugras (KIK). Die drie energiebronne, sowel as ‘n kontrole (geen energiebron), is in vitro geïnkubeer saam met elk van die genoemde ruvoere. Rumenvloeistof is verkry van twee lakterende Holsteinkoeie, wat ‘n dieet ontvang het bestaande uit hawerhooi, koringstrooi en ‘n kragvoermengsel. Ruvoere is alleen en/of in kombinasie met melasse (0.1412 g DM), sitruspulp (0.1425 g DM) of mieliemeel (0.125 g DM) in glasbottels afgeweeg en vir 72 uur geïnkubeer. Die massas van die energiebronne is op ‘n energie-ekwivalente basis bereken. Leë bottels wat geen substraat bevat het nie, is ingesluit om te korrigeer vir gasproduksie afkomstig vanaf rumenvloeistof alleen. Substrate is in 40 ml van ‘n buffermedium, 2 ml reduserende oplossing en 10ml rumenvloeistof geïnkubeer. Gasdruk is elke vyf minute outomaties aangeteken deur gebruik te maak van ‘n drukmetersisteem en die metode is gebasseer op die Reading gasdruktegniek. Gasdruk is omgeskakel na gasvolume deur gebruik te maak van ‘n voorafbepaalde regressievergelyking. In die eerste proef het totale gasproduksie die gas wat deur die onderskeie energiebronne geproduseer is, ingesluit. In die tweede proef is gasproduksie afkomstig van die energiebronne afgetrek van totale gasproduksie, om sodoende die invloed van die energiebronne per se op die gasproduksie van die onderskeie ruvoersubstrate, te bepaal. Data is met behulp van twee nie-liniëre modelle gepas. Betekenisvolle ruvoer x energie-interaksies is in albei proewe waargeneem vir die nie-liniëre parameter b (gasproduksie) in Model 1, en vir b en L (sloerfase) in Model 2. In die eerste proef het die energiebronne se hoë fermentasie gelei to ‘n verhoging in b (Model 1 & 2) van LUC en WS. Energie-aanvullings het die c-waarde van die onderskeie ruvoere verskillend beïnvloed, met WS wat die mees opvallende effek gehad het. Al die energiebronne het die c-waarde van WS verhoog, ongeag watter model gebruik is. Energiebronne het geen invloed op die L-waarde van LUC, OH of RYE gehad nie, maar het wel die L-waarde van WS en KIK verlaag. In die tweede proef het mieliemeel geen invloed op die b-waarde van enige van die ruvoere gehad nie (Model 1 & 2), terwyl melasse (Model 1 & 2) die b-waarde van alle ruvoere verlaag het, en sitruspulp (Model 1 & 2) OH en RYE se b waardes verlaag het tot laer as die kontroles. Melasse het geen invloed op die c-waarde van die onderskeie ruvoersubstrate gehad nie, terwyl sitruspulp (Model 1 & 2) die c-waarde van OH, en mieliemeel die c-waarde van OH en KIK, verhoog het. Energiebronne het slegs ‘n invloed op die sloerfase in WS en KIK gehad, waar dit L verlaag het tot laer waardes as dié van die kontroles. Daar is gevind dat ruvoer-fermenteerbaarheid verskillend beïnvloed word deur verskillende energiebronne. Bogenoemde resultate kan in die praktyk betekenisvolle invloede hê op rumengesondheid en melkproduksie en die data wat verkry is, kan potensieël gebruik word as riglyne in voerformulerings. In die tweede studie is in vitro verteerbaarheidsproewe gedoen om die effek van suiker (molasse en sukrose), stysel (mieliemeel en mieliestysel) en pektien (sitruspulp en sitrus-pektien) op neutraalonoplosbare vesel (NDF) en droë materiaal (DM) degradeerbaarheid van ruvoere, te bepaal. Ruvoersubstrate wat gebruik is, was WS, OH, LUC, RYE en KIK. Rumen vloeistof is verkry van twee lakterende Holstein koeie, wat ‘n dieet ontvang het bestaande uit hawerhooi, koringstrooi en ‘n konsentraat mengsel. Die in vitro degradeerbaarheidsproef is gedoen met ‘n ANKOM Daisy II inkubator. Ruvoersubstrate is geïnkubeer met of sonder die onderskeie energiebronne vir 24, 48 en 72 uur. Die substrate is geïnkubeer in 1076 ml buffer medium, 54 ml reduserende oplossing en 270 ml rumen vloeistof. Residue is gewas, gedroog en geanaliseer vir NDF. In die proef met toegepaste energiebronne (molasse, mieliemeel en sitruspulp), was daar ruvoer x energiebron interaksies. Toegepaste energiebron aanvullings het almal DMD van ruvoersubstrate (24 en 72 uur) verbeter, uitsluitend vir RYE wat aangevul is met mieliemeel (24 uur) en sitruspulp (24 uur). Van al die ruvoersubstrate het molasse die grootste effek gehad op DMD. Mieliemeel aanvullings het geen effek gehad op neutraal-onoplosbare vesel degradeerbaarheid (NDFD) van ruvoersubstrate nie, behalwe vir ‘n verbetering in NDFD van LUC by 72 uur. Molasse het NDFD van lucern by 24 uur verbeter, maar geen effek gehad op ander ruvoersubstrate nie. Sitruspulp het NDFD van OH (72 uur), asook LUC en WS (24 & 72 uur) verbeter. Daar word beweer dat die NDF van energiebronne meer verteerbaar is as die van ruvoersubstrate, en dat die verbetering in NDFD waardes toegeskryf kan word aan die bydraes van energiebronne se NDFD. Weidingsgrasse (RYE & KIK) het oor die algemeen ‘n hoër NDFD as hooie en strooi gehad. Rumen mikrobes blyk ook om dié grasse vinniger te verteer as lae kwaliteit hooie en strooi, wat gevolglik die hoër NDFD verduidelik. In die proef met suiwer energiebronne (sukrose, mieliestysel en sitrus-pektien) is ruvoer x energiebron interaksies waargeneem. Energiebronaanvullings het DMD by 24 en 72 uur verbeter, buiten vir RYE en KIK (72 uur). Weidingsgrasse het hoër NDFD as LUC, OH en WS. By 72 uur was die NDFD van LUC 37.1%, OH 42.5%, WS 40.3%, in vergelyking met 70.5% vir KIK en 64.9% vir RYE. ‘n Moontlike verklaring vir die hoër NDFD van KIK en RYE, is omdat dit vars gesnyde material is, geoes na slegs 28 dae hergroei. Oor die algemeen het sukrose (24 & 72 uur) en sitrus-pektien (72 uur) geen effek gehad op NDFD van ruvoersubstrate nie, terwyl stysel en pektien aanvullings tot OH (24 uur), en stysel aanvullings tot WS (24 & 72 uur) NDFD verlaag het. Daar word hipotetieseer dat mikrobes eers die vinnig fermenteerbare energiebronne fermenteer, voordat hulle ruvoer NDF aanval. Hierdie studie beweer dat ruvoer NDFD waardes nie vas is nie, en dat dié waardes beïnvloed mag word deur energiebron aanvullings.

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Dentre as pragas encontradas em pastagens as cigarrinhas ocupam lugar de destaque visto aos grandes prejuízos econômicos causados. No entanto, a falta de estudos que quantifiquem respostas de plantas forrageiras ao ataque do inseto dificulta a compreensão da magnitude dos danos, impossibilitando a definição de estratégias de controle. O objetivo deste experimento foi caracterizar e quantificar respostas de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu sob níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas adultas do gênero Mahanarva sp. (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). O ensaio foi realizado em casa de vegetação na cidade de Piracicaba SP e seus tratamentos corresponderam a quatro níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas (5, 10, 20 e 40 insetos adultos vaso- 1) mais o controle (sem cigarrinhas), distribuídos nas unidades experimentais (vasos) segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O estudo compreendeu período de infestação pelo inseto e de rebrota das plantas, sendo avaliadas as seguintes variáveis-resposta: acúmulo e composição morfológica da forragem, parâmetros bromatológicos (fósforo (P), potássio (K), cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), enxofre (S), proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN)), massa de raiz, teor de reservas orgânicas em órgãos de reserva, características morfogênicas e estruturais. A elevação dos níveis de infestação proporcionou redução no acúmulo de forragem com resultados ajustando-se a modelo quadrático de regressão. A proporção de folhas, hastes e material morto também foram afetadas pelos insetos. De maneira geral, a concentração dos parâmetros bromatológicos foi elevada com aumento dos níveis de infestação, PB e S responderam linearmente, e P e Ca ajustaram-se a modelo quadrático de regressão. O número de perfilhos vivos aumentou com a elevação dos níveis de infestação de maneira quadrática. A massa do resíduo e raízes, assim como a concentração de carboidratos não estruturais nesses órgãos de acúmulo, sofreram influência apenas do período de rebrota. A concentração de nitrogênio total foi influenciada pela interação entre níveis de infestação e período de rebrota tanto na fração resíduo como nas raízes. Dentre as características morfogênicas, a taxa de alongamento e de senescência de folhas foram influenciadas com resultados ajuntando-se a modelo quadrático e linear de regressão, respectivamente. Já entre as estruturais o comprimento final da folha e comprimento médio do colmo responderam de maneira linear e quadrática respectivamente. / Among the pests found in pastures spittlebugs have a prominent place due to large economic losses. However, the lack of studies to quantify forage plants responses to insect attack difficult to understand the magnitude of the damage, preventing the definition of control strategies. The objective of this experiment was to characterize and quantify responses of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu under infestation levels of adult spittlebugs of the genus Mahanarva sp. (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, at Piracicaba SP and their treatments corresponded to four spittlebugs infestation levels (5, 10, 20 and 40 adults pot-1) plus the control (no spittlebugs), distributed in the experimental units (pots) according to a completely randomized design. The study included period of infestation by insects and regrowth of plants and evaluated the following response variables: forage accumulation and morphological composition, bromatological parameters (phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF)), root mass, organic reserves content in reserve organs, morphogenetic and structural characteristics. Increased infestation levels provided reduction in forage accumulation with results adjusted to the quadratic regression model. The proportion of leaves, stems and dead material were also affected by the insects. In general, the concentration of bromatological parameters was elevated with increasing infestation levels, CP and S responded linearly, and P and Ca were adjusted to a quadratic regression model. The number of live tillers increased with increasing infestation levels in quadratic manner. The residue and roots mass, as well as the nonstructural carbohydrates concentration in accumulation organs, was influenced only during the regrowth period. The total nitrogen concentration was influenced by the interaction between infestation levels and regrowth period both in the residue fraction as in roots. Among morphogenetic characteristics, the elongation and leaf senescence rates were affected with results adjusted to linear and quadratic regression model, respectively. Among the structural, the final leaf length and stem length responded linearly and quadratically respectively.

O manejo do pastejo, caracterizado pela freqüência e intensidade de desfolhação, determina a estrutura do dossel forrageiro. Esta, por sua vez, age como condicionadora das respostas de plantas e animais. Com a finalidade de conhecer melhor as relações de causa e efeito entre a manipulação da estrutura do dossel forrageiro e a produção animal, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o acúmulo de forragem, a composição botânica e morfológica do dossel e de amostras de forragem obtidas por meio de simulação de pastejo, bem como o valor nutritivo dessas amostras e o ganho de peso de bovinos em crescimento em pastos de Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu submetidos a regimes de lotação contínua e taxa de lotação variável. O experimento foi realizado em área do Departamento de Zootecnia da USP/ESALQ, Piracicaba, SP, entre 01 de dezembro de 2001 e 26 de dezembro de 2002. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro alturas de dossel forrageiro (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) mantidas em equilíbrio dinâmico (steady state) e alocadas às unidades experimentais segundo um delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Durante a primavera e o verão pastos mantidos mais altos (30 e 40 cm) apresentaram taxas de acúmulo de forragem mais elevadas que pastos mantidos mais baixos (10 e 20 cm) (84,2; 88,5; 133,0 e 141,5 na primavera e 116,6; 144,3; 134,4 e 135,0 kg.ha -1 .dia -1 de MS no verão para 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm, respectivamente). Nas épocas de outono e inverno esse padrão de resposta foi invertido, com os maiores valores de taxa de acúmulo registrados para pastos mantidos mais baixos (61,1; 61,7; 44,2 e 17,5 no outono e 22,4; 10,0; -2,2 e -22,5 kg.ha -1 .dia -1 de MS no inverno para 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm, respectivamente). Não houve diferença na produção total de forragem nos 13 meses de experimento (26.360 kg.ha -1 de MS em média), porém a condição do dossel forrageiro implicou em alterações significativas na distribuição estacional da produção. As proporções de folhas (21,5%) e hastes (27,8%) na massa de forragem mantiveram-se relativamente constantes para a amplitude de alturas de dossel estudada e a proporção de material morto foi menor nos pastos de 10 cm (45,3%) em relação aos demais (49,2%, em média). Nas amostras de simulação de pastejo a proporção de folhas (78,1%) foi muito superior e a de hastes (6,0%) e material morto (9,7%) muito inferiores àquelas mensuradas na massa de forragem do dossel. A forragem proveniente dos pastos de 10 cm apresentou menores proporções de folhas senescentes (2,7%) que pastos mantidos a 20, 30 e 40 cm (3,5% em média). Em termos de composição química, as maiores concentrações de matéria mineral, proteína bruta e lignina, além da digestibilidade da matéria orgânica, foram encontradas na forragem proveniente dos pastos de 10 cm (11,7; 13,7; 3,6 e 67,1%, respectivamente) relativamente às outras condições de dossel avaliadas (11,2; 12,2; 3,0 e 63,9%, respectivamente, em média). Os teores de FDN e FDA foram menores nos pastos de 10 cm (60,8 e 28,1%, respectivamente) quando comparados com os pastos mantidos a 20, 30 e 40 cm (62,0 e 29,0%, respectivamente). Na média do período experimental, a taxa de lotação decresceu com a elevação da altura do dossel forrageiro (4,1; 3,0; 2,1 e 1,2 UA.ha -1 para 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm, respectivamente), sendo que durante as épocas de crescimento mais favoráveis (primavera e verão) foram registrados os maiores valores do experimento. Apesar do valor nutritivo ligeiramente superior da forragem proveniente dos pastos mantidos a 10 cm, o desempenho animal aumentou com o aumento em altura do dossel (0,19; 0,51; 0,75 e 0,93 kg animal -1 .dia -1 para 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm, respectivamente). O controle e a manipulação da condição (estrutura) do dossel forrageiro interferiu de forma direta sobre a produção e o valor nutritivo da forragem, embora o desempenho animal deva ter sido determinado por diferenças em consumo de forragem para as condições de dossel estudadas, uma vez que as diferenças em valor nutritivo foram pequenas. / Grazing management, characterized by the frequency and intensity of defoliation, determines sward structure. This, in turn, defines plant and animal responses. Aiming at a better understanding of the cause and effect relationships between sward structure manipulation and animal production from pastures, the present experiment had the objective of evaluating herbage production, botanical and morphological composition of sward herbage mass and herbage samples harvested simulating grazing, as well as the nutritive value of these samples and animal performance of growing beef cattle heifers on Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu pastures submitted to continuous stocking regimes with variable stocking rate. The experiment was carried out at Departamento de Zootecnia, USP/ESALQ, Piracicaba, SP, from 01 December 2001 until 26 December 2002. Treatments corresponded to four sward steady state conditions (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm sward surface heights - SSH), assigned to experimental units according to a complete randomized block design, with four replications. During spring and summer tall swards (30 and 40 cm) presented higher herbage accumulation rates than short swards (10 and 20 cm) (84.2, 88.5, 133.0, 141.5 and 116.6, 144.3, 134.4, 135.0 kg.ha -1 .day -1 DM for the 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm swards, respectively). In autumn and winter this pattern of response changed, with higher herbage accumulation rates measured in short swards (61.1, 61.7, 44.2, 17.5 and 22.4, 10.0, -2.2, -22.5 kg.ha -1 .day -1 DM for the 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm swards, respectively). There was no difference in herbage yield at the end of the 13-month experimental period (26,360 kg.ha -1 DM on average), although sward condition did result in significant changes in seasonal distribution of dry matter production. Proportions of leaf (21.5%) and stems (27.8%) in sward herbage mass remained relatively constant within the range of SSH studied and the proportion of dead material was lower for the 10 cm swards (45.3%) in relation to others (49.2%, on average). For the grazing simulation samples the proportion of leaves was much higher (78.1%) and stems (6.0%) and dead material (9.7%) significantly lower than that registered in sward herbage mass. Herbage from the 10 cm swards presented lower proportions of senescing leaves (2.7%) than 20, 30 and 40 cm swards (3.5%, on average). Chemically, higher concentrations of ash, crude protein and lignin, as well as organic matter digestibility, were determined in herbage samples from the 10 cm swards (11.7, 13.7, 3.6 and 67.1%, respectively) in relation to the other sward conditions studied (11.2, 12.2, 3.0 and 63.9%, respectively, on average). NDF and ADF contents were lower for 10 cm swards (60.8 and 28.1%, respectively) when compared to 20, 30 and 40 cm swards (62.0 and 29.0%, respectively). Over the entire experimental period, the stocking rate decreased with increasing SSH (4.1, 3.0, 2.1 and 1.2 AU ha -1 for 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm, respectively), but the highest values were recorded during over the spring and summer periods. Despite the slightly higher nutritive value of the herbage from the 10 cm swards, animal performance increased with increasing SSH (0.19, 0.51, 0.75 and 0.93 kg animal -1 day -1 for 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm, respectively). The control and manipulation of sward state (structure) affected herbage production and nutritive value, although animal performance was very likely determined by differences in herbage intake for the sward conditions studied since differences in nutritive value were small.

A necessidade da redução do custo de produção animal nas propriedades rurais está se tornando crucial para a sobrevivência destes no mercado. Para a geração de alternativas viáveis de redução de custo é necessária a intensificação das pesquisas nos pontos de estrangulamento dos sistemas de produção animal baseados em pastagens. O uso de espécies de alto potencial forrageiro como a alfafa (Medicago sativa L.), pode ser uma opção para melhorar a produtividade de forragem e o desempenho animal, pois estes são capazes de associar elevada produção ao alto valor nutritivo. De março de 2001 a fevereiro de 2002, foi estudado o efeito do método de pastejo sobre a produtividade e o valor nutritivo de cinco genótipos de alfafa com aptidões contrastantes. O experimento do tipo "mob-grazing" foi realizado em área do Departamento de Zootecnia da ESALQ/USP, em Piracicaba, SP. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas (split-plot), com 10 tratamentos e seis repetições. Nas parcelas foi alocado o fator de tratamento relativo ao método de pastejo ("lotação contínua", simulada por desfolhas semanais, e "lotação rotacionada" com desfolha a cada 4 semanas na primavera-verão e a cada 6 semanas no outono-inverno). Nas sub-parcelas foram alocados os cinco genótipos de alfafa com diferentes aptidões agronômicas em termos de dormência, procedência e tolerância ao pastejo (ABT-805, Alfagraze, Crioula, CUF-101 e Pioneer 5432), submetidos a 295 dias de pastejo e sob irrigação. ABT-805 foi o genótipo mais produtivo sob lotação contínua (26,6 Mg MS ha -1 ) e no pastejo rotacionado (18 Mg MS ha -1 ). Alfagraze, apesar de ser um dos menos produtivos no pastejo rotacionado (13,3 Mg MS ha -1 ) apresentou semelhante produtividade ao ABT-805 no pastejo sob lotação contínua (26,3 Mg MS ha -1 ano -1 ). Pioneer 5432 situou-se numa condição intermediária, com uma produção total de forragem de 24,3 e 15,3 Mg MS ha -1 sob lotação contínua e rotacionada, respectivamente. O valor nutritivo da planta inteira mostrou variação em função ao método de pastejo, enquanto que entre os genótipos que não se verificou diferença. O método de lotação contínua apresentou valores superiores de proteína bruta (PB) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) (349 e 810 g kg -1 , respectivamente) em comparação a lotação rotacionada (238,5 e 757,8 g kg -1 , respectivamente). Os teores de fibra apresentaram comportamento inverso, sendo que a lotação continua foi inferior (240 g kg -1 fibra em detergente neutro, FDN, 182 g kg -1 fibra em detergente ácido, FDA e 34,9 g kg -1 lignina) à lotação rotacionada (325 g kg -1 FDN, 255 g kg -1 FDA e 50,6 g kg -1 lignina). A haste apresentou o mesmo padrão na composição químico-bromatológica que a planta inteira, onde o método de lotação contínua apresentou respostas superiores às da lotação rotacionada. A folha foi a fração que apresentou maiores variações nos teores de PB, FDA e lignina além da DIVMS em função dos parâmetros experimentais estudados (método de pastejo, estação e genótipo). ABT-805 e Alfagraze são os que apresentaram maiores produtividades com adaptação moderada ao pastejo nas latitudes tropicais do Brasil Central, mas para o seu sucesso deve-ser relevar as condições climáticas e do método do manejo do pastejo. / The need for reduction in animal production costs on farms has become crucial to their survival in the market. In order to generate new alternatives research is needed on the factors that limit the success of pasture-based animal production systems. The adoption of species with high forage potential such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), may be a viable option to improve forage productivity and animal performance, associating high production with high nutritive value. From March 2001 to February 2002 the effect of grazing method and genotype on forage productivity and nutritive value was studied. A mob-grazing experiment was carried out at ESALQ/USP in Piracicaba, SP. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with six field replications in a split-plot arrangement. The grazing method factor (continuous stocking, simulated by defoliation every seven days, and rotational stocking, simulated by defoliation every four weeks during the summer season and every six weeks during the winter season) was allocated at random to main plots which were grazed down to 7 cm at every grazing event. The alfalfa genotypes were allocated to the sub-plots, each of which representing a specific combination among agronomic characteristics regarding dormancy class, origin, and grazing tolerance (ABT-805, Alfagraze, Crioula, CUF-101, and Pioneer 5432). Plots were grazed over 295 days without water deficits, as sprinkler irrigation was provided as needed. ABT-805 was the most productive genotype under continuous (26,6 Mg DM ha -1 ) and rotational (18 Mg DM ha -1 ) stocking. Although, Alfagraze showed the lowest production under rotational stocking (13,3 Mg DM ha -1 ) it was the same as that of ABT-805, under continuous stocking (26,3 Mg DM ha -1 ). Pioneer 5432 showed intermediate productivity, with total accumulation of 24,3 (continuous) and 15,3 Mg DM ha -1 (rotational). The nutritive value of whole plant showed significant variation between grazing methods, although no difference among genotypes was found. Forage produced under continuous stocking had higher concentrations of crude protein (CP; 349 g kg -1 ) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM; 810 g kg -1 ) compared to rotational socking (238,5 and 757,8 g kg -1 , respectively). Fiber concentrations were the opposite of CP and IVDDM as they were lower for under continuous stocking (240 g kg -1 neutral detergent fiber, NDF; 182 g kg -1 acid detergent fiber, ADF; and 34,9 g kg -1 lignin) than under rotational stocking (325, 255, and 50,6 g kg -1 for the same three fractions, respectively). Both the stem fraction and the whole plant samples had better chemical composition and digestibility under continuous than under rotational stocking. The leaf fraction was more variable in terms of nutritive value (CP, IVDDM, ADF, and lignin concentrations) and was affected by genotype, grazing method, and season. ABT-805 and Alfagraze appear to be the most promising genotypes for grazing systems in central Brazil because of their yield performance and nutritive value. Their success, however, will depend on climatic conditions and choice of grazing management.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar a composição químico-bromatológica sobre a variedade de cana-de-açúcar IAC86-2480 submetida a três métodos de colheita. Os tratamentos corresponderam a três métodos de colheita: colheita manual (MAN), colheita mecanizada (MEC) e colheita mecanizada seguido de rebaixamento manual (MEC+MAN). O tratamento relativo ao corte manual foi efetuado na região do colo da planta, rente ao solo, com uso de podão.No caso do corte mecanizado, foi utilizada uma colhedora de forragem regulada para altura de corte de 20 cm. O terceiro tratamento foi aquele em que as plantas foram submetidas ao procedimento de corte mecanizado, e na seqüência, a porção remanescente do colmo (toco) foi cortada rente ao solo com o uso de podão. A área experimental (0,34 ha) foi constituída por seis blocos, com 3 parcelas cada. As parcelas eram formadas por 8 linhas de plantio com 15 m de comprimento em espaçamento entrelinhas de 1,3 m. Os perfilhos eram então separados em 3 frações: colmo, folha e planta inteira. Para a determinação da composição químico-bromatológica (PB, FDN, FDA, DVIVMS e MM) utilizou-se o método de espectroscopia de reflectância de infravermelho proximal (NIRS). O Brix foi determinado em refratômetro digital e a Pol a partir da leitura sacarimétrica do caldo. O Brix, a Pol, o teor de MS, PB, MM, FDN, FDA, DVIVMS, e as relações FDN/Pol e FDN/Brix foram similares (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. O Brix e a Pol apresentaram comportamento semelhante, revelando os maiores valores na fração colmo, onde também foram encontradas as menores relações FDN/Brix e FDN/Pol. O teor de MM das 3 frações estudadas apresentou oscilações durante o ciclo da cultura, com o maior valor observado na planta inteira aos 90 DAC (8,34%). O teor de PB revelou declínio ao longo do ciclo da cultura, com efeito menos pronunciado observado na fração folha. Do início das avaliações aos 90 DAC, houve decréscimo no teor de MS, atingindo seu menor valor nesta data (16,4%). A partir de então, a cultura apresentou aumento no teor de MS, atingindo 32,3% aos 360 DAC planta inteira. O teor de FDN apresentou queda de 34,8 unidades percentuais, do maior valor (79,7%) para o menor valor encontrado (44,9%) na planta inteira. Dos 90 aos 360 DAC, a DVIVMS aumentou 24,5 unidades percentuais, com média de 2,7 unidades percentuais/mês, atingindo então 66,2% de DVIVMS aos 360 DAC na planta inteira. O método de colheita imposto à variedade de cana-de-açúcar IAC86-2480 não influenciou a composição químico-bromatológica e a planta atingiu valor nutritivo elevado a partir de 270 DAC. O Brix do colmo revelou-se como estimador adequado das relações FDN/Pol e FDN/Brix da planta inteira, que mostraram-se satisfatórias como critério de avaliação nutricional da variedade IAC86- 2480. / The aim of this research was to study the chemical composition of a sugarcane variety (IAC86-2480) under three harvesting methods: manual harvesting (MAN), mechanical harvesting (MEC) and mechanical harvesting followed by manual (MEC + MAN). In manual harvesting (MAN) plants were harvested to ground level, using a cutter. In the case of mechanical harvest, the harvester (adjusted for a cutting height of 20 cm) was pulled by a tractor. For mechanical harvesting followed by manual (MEC+MAN) the same procedures for MEC were followed, however, after cutting, the remaining stalks were cut to ground level with a cutter. The experimental units (0.34 ha) was composed of six blocks, with 3 plots each. The plots were formed by 8 rows with 15 m length spaced by 1.3 m. The tillers were then separated into 3 fractions: stem, leaf and whole plant. To determine the chemical composition (CP, NDF, ADF, IVDDM and Ash) dried samples were scanned through the near infrared reflectance spectroscopy technique (NIRS). The Brix was determined by digital light refractometer and the Pol was determined based on the predicted sacarose from the plant juice. The Brix, the Pol, the content of DM, CP, Ash, NDF, ADF, IVDDM, and the relationships NDF/Pol and NDF/Brix were similar (P>0.05) across all treatments. The Brix and Pol showed similar trends, with the highest value observed in the stem fraction, where the lowest NDF/Pol and NDF/Brix ratios were also observed. The Ash content, of the 3 fractions studied, showed a range of altered values during the crop cycle, reaching the maximum value (8.34%) at 90 DAH (days after harvesting). The mean content of CP declined across the maturity stages studied, with less pronounced effect observed in the leaf fraction. From the beginning of the assessments to the 90 DAH, there was a decrease in the DM content, reaching its lowest (16.4%). Further, the crop tended to increase the DM content, reaching 32.3% for the whole plant at 360 DAH. The content of NDF showed a decrease of 34.8 percentage units, from the highest value (79.7%) to the lowest value found (44.9%) in the whole plant. From d-90 to d-360 DAH, the IVDDM increased 24.5 percentage units, with an average of 2.7 percentage units per month, reaching 66.2% of IVDDM at 360 DAH, in the whole plant. The method of harvesting applied to the variety of sugarcane IAC86-2480 did not affect its chemical composition and the whole plant reached its high standard of nutritive value after 270 DAH. The Brix from the stem was a appropriate predictor of the NDF/Brix and NDF/Pol from the whole plant, which in turn, became reliable criteria for nutritional analysis from the variety IAC86-2480.

Modelos propostos para a previsão da produção forrageira e das características qualitativas da forragem ao longo do ano podem ser ferramentas valiosas no planejamento de sistemas de produção animal baseados em pastagens, desde que englobem as variáveis determinantes do crescimento das plantas para que possam fornecer valores condizentes com os verificados em condições de campo. Esse estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar características qualitativas da forragem de cinco cultivares de capins do gênero Panicum em resposta às variações estacionais na temperatura do ar e do fotoperíodo, fazendo uso de modelos baseados em soma calórica (graus-dia) e soma calórica combinada com o fotoperíodo (unidades fototérmicas) acumulados durante períodos de crescimento no inverno e no verão. Cinco capins do gênero Panicum foram utilizados: Atlas, Massai, Mombaça, Tanzânia e Tobiatã, cortados a cada 28 dias (Atlas, Massai e Mombaça) e 35 dias (Tanzânia e Tobiatã) no verão (21 de setembro a 22 de março) e 49 dias (Atlas, Massai e Mombaça) e 63 dias (Tanzânia e Tobiatã) no inverno (23 de março a 20 de setembro) a uma altura de 35 cm (Atlas, Mombaça, Tanzânia e Tobiatã) e 15 cm (Massai), as parcelas eram irrigadas para garantir ausência de déficit hídrico, o intuito foi caracterizar às variáveis da degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (MS), da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), e da fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), no verão e no inverno. O cultivar Massai apresentou os maiores valores numéricos de DP. Entretanto, para a DE o cultivar Atlas apresentou maior degradabilidade da MS e FDN. Para a composição dos modelos climáticos de degradabilidade efetiva da MS, FDN e FDA, acompanhou-se semanalmente uma rebrotação de verão e bissemanalmente uma rebrotação de inverno. Os cultivares apresentaram diferentes valores de MS, FDN e FDA, demonstrando que apesar de cada capim apresentar um valor de intercepto distinto para cada característica nutricional avaliada, os padrões de redução dessas características são uniformes dentro da estação. Em todos os modelos gerados para a MS, independente da estação ou da variável climática, os cultivares: Atlas, Massai e Mombaça apresentaram valores de intercepto maiores, demonstrando uma maior DE da MS no início da rebrotação, em relação aos cultivares Tobiatã e Tanzânia. Isso provavelmente está relacionado ao menor intervalo entre cortes submetido a esses cultivares, o que propicia às plantas uma menor maturidade fisiológica. Para as fibras (FDN e FDA) somente o verão foi bem caracterizado pelos modelos. A DE da FDN, modelada para UF durante o período de verão, mostrou o mesmo padrão de resposta que ocorreu para a DE da MS. O capim Atlas apresentou o maior valor de intercepto, mostrando o potencial de produção de forragem de melhor valor nutritivo. Padrão semelhante ao que foi encontrado para DE da MS e FDN, foi observado para a DE da FDA, embora para esta variável os cultivares tenham sido similares. Para que os modelos possam se tornar ferramentas práticas de planejamento de sistemas de produção, há necessidade de que estudos complementares sejam realizados. / Models for predicting forage production and nutritive value over the year can be valuable tools in planning of forage-based animal production systems, provided that they are based upon environmental variables that not only can explain plant, but also are consistend with values of those responses measured in the field. This study it was conducted with the objective of evaluating some qualitative characteristics of the forage of five Panicum grasses in response to variations in air temperature (degree-days) and a combination between temperature and daylength, defined as photothermal units, both accumulated during periods of growth in winter and summer. Five Panicum spp were studied: Atlas, Massai, Mombaça, Tanzânia e Tobiatã, clipped every 28 days (Atlas, Massai e Mombaça) or 35 days (Tanzânia e Tobiatã) in the summer (21 September to 22 March) and every 49 days (Atlas, Massai e Mombaça) or 63 days (Tanzânia e Tobiatã) in the winter (23 March to 20 September) to a stubble of 35 (Atlas, Mombaça, Tanzânia e Tobiatã) or 15 cm (Massai). Plots were irrigated to avoid water deficit, and forage samples were analyzed for in situ dry matter (DM) degradability, plus that of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), using six incubation times: 96, 48, 24, 12, 6, 3 and 0 hours. Massai had the highest potential degradability (PD) and Atlas had the highest effective degradability (ED) both for DM and NDF. For the parameterization of the climatic models of degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF, a summer regrowth was sampled weekly and a winter regrowth was sampled bi-weekly. Grasses showed different degradability values for DM, NDF and ADF, and although model intercepts were distinct across responses, rates of decline in nutritive value with increased maturity were similar, as slopes did not differ. The use of degree-days and photothermal units was efficient in predicting these qualitative characteristics of Panicum grasses. In all models generated for DM degradability, regardless of season or climatic variable, Atlas, Massai and Mombaça had higher model intercepts, indicating higher ED of the DM early in the regrowth phase, compared with Tobiatã and Tanzânia. This can partially explained by the higher clipping frequency and lower forage maturity of the former three cultivars. This, in turn limited the production of stems and the thickening of cell walls. For the fibrous fractions, only the summer was well described by the climatic models. The NDF ED model was similar to that of the DM ED model during the summer. The model for Atlas had the highest intercept, suggesting that this cultivar can produce higher quality forage, compared to the other cultivars studied. A similar trend to that of ED of DM was found for ED of NDF although for this variable cultivars did not differ. In order for these models to become useful tools for systems planning and management, more research is needed in order to increase data libraries, and to include a wider range of environmental and management conditions.