PRODUCTIVITY AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BLUESTEM GRASS FERTILIZED WITH CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM SILICATE

This study evaluated the effect of application of calcium and magnesium silicate on the productivity, chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradation of bluestem grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth, cv. Baeti; Embrapa 23) during the rainy and dry seasons. The design consisted of completely randomized blocks in a 6x2 factorial scheme (six silicate doses and two cutting seasons), arranged in plots subdivided over time. The plots were the calcium and magnesium silicate doses (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 kg/ha) and the subplots were the two cutting seasons (rainy and dry period), with five repetitions (blocks). The calcium and magnesium silicate doses exerted no significant effect on green or dry matter production, chemical forage composition or degradability parameters. On the other hand, there was an effect of cutting period on forage production and chemical composition. The highest production of green and dry matter was observed during the rainy period, while acid detergent fiber content was higher during the dry season. The treatments did not exert any significant effect on the parameters of degradability that would alter the nutritive value of bluestem grass.