Effects of nitrogen fertilization on protein and carbohydrate fractions of Marandu palisadegrass. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization levels on protein and carbohydrate fractions in Marandu palisadegrass pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] were investigated in a pasture over five years. The experimental design was completely randomized with four levels of N (0, 90, 180, and 270kgNha-1, as urea) for five years, and with three replicates. The study was conducted in a continuously stocked pasture during the forage growing season (December to April) in a tropical region. The effects of N fertilization were similar across the five years. With increasing N fertilization, the concentrations of crude protein (CP) increased from 103 to 173gkg-1 (P<0.001), soluble fractions (Fraction A+B1) increased from 363 to 434gkg-1 of total CP (P=0.006); neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased from 609 to 556gkg-1 (P=0.037); indigestible NDF (P=0.046), potentially degradable neutral detergent fiber (P=0.037), and acid detergent fiber decreased (P=0.05), and total digestible nutrient (TDN) increased (P<0.001). Increasing N fertilization decreased the concentrations of Fraction C (P=0.014) and total carbohydrates (P<0.0001), and increased CP:organic matter digestibility (P<0.01). Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber free of ash and protein (P=0.003), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (P<0.001), neutral detergent fiber potentially degradable (P=0.11), CP (P<0.001), Fraction A+B1 (P<0.001), Fraction B2 (P<0.001), Fraction B3 (P<0.01), and non-structural carbohydrates differed (P<0.001) across years. Therefore, N fertilization can be used to increase CP, soluble protein, and TDN.

published proceedings

  • Sci Rep

author list (cited authors)

  • Leite, R. G., Cardoso, A., Fonseca, N., Silva, M., Tedeschi, L. O., Delevatti, L. M., Ruggieri, A. C., & Reis, R. A.

citation count

  • 2

complete list of authors

  • Leite, Rhaony Gonçalves||Cardoso, Abmael da Silva||Fonseca, Natália Vilas Boas||Silva, Maria Luisa Curvelo||Tedeschi, Luís Orlindo||Delevatti, Lutti Maneck||Ruggieri, Ana Cláudia||Reis, Ricardo Andrade

publication date

  • July 2021