Cutting height and cutting age effect on minerals in leaves and stems of three forage varieties of pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) millsp to animal feeding

A trial was conducted at Ana Maria Campos farm from Universidad del Zulia, in order to determine the cutting height and cutting age effect on minerals levels (P, K, Ca, Na, Mg, Zn and Mn) in leaves and stems of three pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. varieties (ICPL-89051, ICPL-87119 and TAC-401), used for animal feeding. A split plot statistical design with three replications was used. Three cutting heights (30 cm measured from the soil, one third and two thirds of foliage measured from the plant top) and three cutting intervals (60, 90 and 120 days after planting) were tested. Significant statistical differences were found in all elements (P <0.01) in relation to cutting height, except sodium. All minerals levels were different according to cutting time, except phosphorus. Mineral levels except K and Mn were higher in ICPL-87119 variety than ICPL-89051 and TAC-401. The highest K and Mn levels were found in the variety TAC-401. All minerals levels were superior when pigeon pea varieties were cut 120 days after planting, and also in those harvested one third and two third of foliage, measured from the plant top. Only P and Mn levels can be considered sufficient to cover tropical ruminants nutritional requirements using pigeon pea as tropical forage.