PRODUÇÃO E COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA DE CULTIVARES DE Megathyrsus maximus EM DIFERENTES ESTAÇÕES DO ANO NO NORTE DO TOCANTINS

Abstract

Fertilized and irrigated Megathyrsus maximus forage cultivars can be one of the solutions to increase forage production and reduce the seasonality of animal production in the state of Tocantins (TO). The present work aimed to evaluate the production and chemical composition of Megathyrsus maximus cultivars in different seasons of the year in the north of Tocantins. The experiment was analyzed in subdivided plots, where the plots had 5 cultivars, and the subplots, four evaluation times with four replications. The cultivars were: Mombaça, Zuri, MG-12 Paredão, Tamani and PM-175. The evaluations were in August and November 2022 under irrigation, and February and May 2023 without the use of irrigation. The variables analyzed were green mass productivity (PMV), dry matter content (TMS), dry mass productivity (PMS) and crude protein (CP). The variables TMS, PMV and PMS showed a significant interaction between cultivars and cuts. Tamani showed higher productivity of TMS, PMV and PMS when irrigated and lower in the rainy season. The opposite was observed for cv MG12. The PB was influenced by the evaluation interval and was significantly higher in the rainy season, regardless of other factors.