Evaluation of forage potential and nutritional
composition of Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia AIG-
330 J at three mowing ages
Evaluación del potencial forrajero y composición
nutricional del pasto Brachiaria Híbrido Sabia AIG-
330 J, a tres edades de corte
Gladys Mercedes Macas Giler
1
Guadalupe Ermila Quiñonez Monrroy
2
Iván Guillermo Estupiñán Nieves
3
Abstract: At the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Mutiles campus,
in San Mateo, Esmeraldas, Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia AIG-330 J was
evaluated at three cutting ages (30, 60 and 90 days), using a
completely randomized experimental design and statistical analysis
with Fisher's test at 5%. Variables of forage potential were studied,
such as cutting height, cover, green forage production and dry matter,
as well as nutritional composition (dry matter, ash, protein, fiber,
nitrogen free extract and ethereal extract). The results showed
significant differences, highlighting greater height at 90 days (1.32 m)
and greater production of green forage (77.13 ton/ha/year) and dry
matter (13.13 ton/ha/year). Nutritional analysis revealed a decrease in
protein content with increasing cutting age, being higher at 30 and 60
days (14.16%) and lower at 90 days (10.86%). Fiber reached its
maximum at 90 days (31.50%). These findings suggest that cutting at
60 days offers an optimal balance between biomass production and
nutritional value, recommending the Brachiaria Sabia AIG-330 J
hybrid as an efficient forage source for this age.
Key words: Bromatological, Sage, Coverage, Cayana, Protein, Fiber.
Resumen: En la Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias campus Mutiles,
en San Mateo, Esmeraldas, se evaluó el pasto Brachiaria Híbrido
Sabia AIG-330 J a tres edades de corte (30, 60 y 90 días), mediante
un diseño experimental completamente aleatorizado y análisis
estadístico con la prueba de Fisher al 5%. Se estudiaron variables de
potencial forrajero, como altura de corte, cobertura, producción de
forraje verde y materia seca, así como composición nutricional
(materia seca, cenizas, proteína, fibra, extracto libre de nitrógeno y
extracto etéreo). Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas,
destacando mayor altura a los 90 días (1,32 m) y mayor producción
de forraje verde (77,13 ton/ha/año) y materia seca (13,13 ton/ha/año).
1
Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas
Torres, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias,
Esmeraldas, Ecuador, E-mail:
gladys.giler.macas@utelvt.edu.ec; ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1375-789
2
Ingeniera en Zootecnia, Licenciada en
Ciencias de la Educación mención Ciencias
Naturales, Magister en Gestión Ambiental,
docente Colegio PCEI Esmeraldas. E-mail:
guadalupe.quinonez@educacion.gob.ec,
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3953-
7994
3
Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas
Torres, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias),
Esmeraldas, Ecuador, E-mail:
ivan.estupinan@utelvt.edu.ec; ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5970-4833
Published
Instituto Tecnológico Superior Edwards
Deming. Quito – Ecuador
Periodicity
July - September
Vol. 1, Num. 22, 2024
pp. 44 - 69
http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista
Dates of receipt
Received: January 12, 2024
Approved: Febrary 24, 2024
Correspondence author
gladys.giler.macas@utelvt.edu.ec
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License, Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International.https://creativecommons.org/lice
nses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es
July – September vol. 2. Num. 22 - 2024
45
El análisis nutricional reveló una disminución en el contenido de
proteína con el aumento de la edad de corte, siendo más alto a los 30
y 60 días (14,16%) y menor a los 90 días (10,86%). La fibra alcanzó
su máximo a los 90 días (31,50%). Estos hallazgos sugieren que el
corte a 60 días ofrece un balance óptimo entre producción de biomasa
y valor nutricional, recomendando al híbrido Brachiaria Sabia AIG-
330 J como una eficiente fuente forrajera para esta edad.
Palabras clave: Bromatológico, Sabia, Cobertura, Cayana, Proteína,
Fibra.
INTRODUCTION
Livestock farming in our country is developed mainly based on natural
and/or cultivated pastures, considering pastures as the basic and most
economical feed in animal feeding, where forage production fluctuates
due to the fact that adequate management techniques are not practiced
and also due to the effect of annual climatic conditions and zonal
environmental variations, affecting the availability and quality of
forage (Guaicha, 2015).
Importantly, research by Assis et al. (2023) on the accumulation and
distribution of dry matter and nutrients in Brachiaria decumbens and
ruziziensis in an intensive forage production system provides valuable
data that can complement the current study on Brachiaria hybrid Sabia
AIG-330 J. In particular, Assis' findings on nutrient dynamics and their
effective management in intensive systems highlight the importance of
proper soil and fertilization management to maximize both yield and
nutritional quality of forage. This reinforces our focus on evaluating
how variations in cutting age influence nutritional composition and
forage potential, adapting and optimizing management practices for
specific growing conditions in Esmeraldas.
In the province of Esmeraldas, one of the main factors limiting the
scope of sustainable livestock production is the scarce availability and
low nutritional quality of pastures during long periods of drought
(Ramírez et al., 2008, p. 2).
During the last few years, scientific progress in genetics has generated
forage varieties that adapt to diverse environmental conditions,
however, due to ignorance of the productive and nutritional value they
are not cultivated (Barén and Centeno 2017).
Among the improved species is Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia Aig-330 J,
developed by Barenbrug, a global leader in the market of forage crops
Evaluation of forage potential and nutritional composition of Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia AIG-330 J
at three mowing ages.
46
that have adapted to the environmental conditions of different regions.
It is currently marketed in Ecuador and in the province of Esmeraldas.
But there is no information about the productive behavior and
nutritional value in the area of Esmeraldas, for this reason and
considering the need for research on new varieties of grasses, it was
decided to carry out this work, where the following objectives were
proposed: To evaluate the forage behavior of Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia
AIG-330 J, at three cutting ages (30, 60 and 90 days) in the Faculty of
Agricultural Sciences Mutiles campus and determine the nutritional
value at 30, 60 and 90 days of cutting through a proximal analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This research was carried out on the premises of the Faculty of
Agricultural Sciences, Mutiles campus, located in the San Mateo parish
of Esmeraldas canton, Esmeraldas Province, with a duration of 120
days.
Experimental Units
The size of the experimental unit was 30 m2 (5x6m), each with a total
of 48 experimental plots with a total net trial area of 1440 m².
Materials, Equipment and Facilities
Materials
To carry out the experiments with the Brachiaria hybrid Sabia AIG-330
J, several important materials were used to conduct and document the
study. Among the basic materials used were hand tools such as sickles
and hammers, necessary to process and cut the grass, and ropes and
stakes were used to define the study areas in the experimental site. In
addition, identification labels were used to delimit the study areas
within the experimental field, in order to ensure a correct
characterization and monitoring of the plots. Measurements of plot
dimensions and grass growth were carried out with the help of a
flexometer. During the study, detailed data were collected in notebooks,
and paper covers were used for the collection and temporary storage of
samples. In addition, a camera was used for visual documentation of the
experiment and site conditions.
July – September vol. 2. Num. 22 - 2024
47
Equipment
The analysis and processing of the samples collected in the experiment
was supported by specialized laboratory equipment. An analytical
balance was also used to accurately determine the weight of the dry and
fresh samples, which is crucial for the analysis of the nutritional
composition and biomass of the grass. In addition, advanced computer
equipment was available for the management and analysis of the data
collected in the field. This equipment allowed processing the statistical
results and performing the necessary calculations to evaluate the study
variables, such as the nutritional composition of the grass and its forage
potential at different cutting ages. The use of this equipment was
essential to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the results of the
experiment.
Treatment and Experimental Design
For this research, plots of Brachiaria Hybrid Sabia AIG-330 J were
used, which were cut three times, 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing, with
16 replicates per treatment (days of cutting), which were evaluated
under a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), which is adjusted to
the following additive linear model:
Yij = µ + Ti + €ij
Where: Yij = Value of the parameter in determination.
µ = Mean.
Ti = Effect of treatments (days of cutting after planting).
€ij = Error effect.