Abstract 26

Bereau,-M; Xande,-A; Gaucher,-B; Patient,-A

INRA-SAD, 97387 Kourou, French Guiana.

Paturages et alimentation des ruminants en zone tropicale humide. 1989, 55-64; 13 ref., presented at 1st symposium on ruminant nutrition in tropical conditions, Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, 2-6 June 1987. Paris, France; INRA.

Problems and techniques of haymaking in humid tropical regions are discussed. In field trials in French Guiana in 1984, hay was made from Brachiaria decumbens, B. ruziziensis and Digitaria swazilandensis pastures mixed with various legumes. The hay was harvested late and was of poor quality with < 5% N content. In 1985 the hay had an average DM content of 89% and contained 10-20% weeds including Axonopus, Cyperus luzulae and Borreria verticillata. N content was again low at 3.7% for hay cut at 90 days. It only exceeded 5% for D. swazilandensis cut at 90 days. Protein contents and digestibility also decreased with delay in cutting but fibre and hemicellulose were not affected. Fertilizer application had little effect on hay quality compared with cutting date.