Abstract 23

Champanhet,-F

CEMAGREF, Groupement Outre Mer, 97262 Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Paturages et alimentation des ruminants en zone tropicale humide. 1989, 3-10; 5 ref., presented at 1st symposium on ruminant nutrition in tropical conditions, Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, 2-6 June 1987. Paris, France; INRA.

Seasonal productivity and nutritive value of Brachiaria decumbens, B. humidicola, Digitaria decumbens, Panicum maximum cv. Hamil and P. maximum cv. Local were studied at Croix Rivail, S. central Martinique in 1984-87. Productivity varied from 1 to 4 t/ha depending on cutting date. Yields were higher between May and Sep. (2.81-3.17 t) than between Nov. and Feb. (1.39-2.02 t) for all the grasses. Productivity was positively correlated with rainfall, light intensity, temp. and daylength. Nutritive value was less variable than yield, but energy and N contents were highest in May-Sep. while fibre contents were highest in Nov.-Feb. CP content and N content were highest in D. decumbens, while energy content was highest in Brachiaria spp. P. maximum cultivars had high N contents but low OM contents and digestibilities.