Foliar chemical composition at different stages of maturity of five tropical grasses in the piedmont of the western cordillera of Ecuador

Abstract

The production of grasses and forages is a fundamental part of agricultural development and exploitation plans, which is an important reason to detect trutrient deficiencies before they become apparent in the field and affect production. The objective of this work was to determine foliar chemical analysis of five forage species; Setaria sphacelata, Megathyrsus maximus, Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria brizantha, Pennisetum sp in three localities (Recinto Choalo, Recinto Palo Blanco and Guasaganda parish). Samples were taken at different stages of maturity (30, 45 and 60 days) and analyzed at the INIAP soil and tissue laboratory. Two treatments were established (without fertilization and with fertilization) and the variables analyzed were: leaf chemical composition, macro and micro elements (N-P-K-Ca-Mg-S-Cu-B-Fe-Zn-Mn), forage production kg/MS/ha and plant height (cm). A randomized complete block design was used. Chemical analysis showed a normal content of elements at 45 days, according to dry matter in kilograms per hectare and plant height, the best results were found at 60 days, where the variables had a similar relationship with respect to better production yields with the fertilization treatment. Fertilization is important because soil organic matter is a complex set of substances made up of plant remains and animal organisms that are subjected to a constant process of transformation and synthesis (first undergo physical, chemical and biological transformations), therefore, organic matter cannot be considered stable, neither qualitatively nor quantitatively, both in the short and long term, so it is necessary to meet the requirements based on fertilizers.