Abstract 597

Alvares,-KM; Cheshmedzhiev,-BV

Camaguey Univ., Carretera de Circunvalacion, Camaguey, Cuba.

Zhivotnov"dni-Nauki. 1983, 20: 5, 65-74; 43 ref.

In 112 samples of guinea grass cut in Cuba between 4 and 10 weeks from the start of vegetation, DM was 22.04 to 31.46 and 18.92 to 27.01, crude protein 5.71 to 10.04 and 4.55 to 8.35, crude fibre 28.19 to 36.02 and 29.29 to 37.69, fats 1.90 to 2.08 and 2.16 to 2.24 and nitrogen-free extract 11.07 to 14.56 and 9.27 to 12.50% during the dry and rainy season, respectively. DM and crude fibre increased and crude protein decreased with advancing vegetative stage. In balance experiments with rams digestibility of DM decreased during the 2 seasons from 64.60 to 50.95, crude protein from 62.87 to 48.44 and crude fibre from 60.84 to 47.91% with advancing vegetative phase. Feed units/kg DM decreased from 0.85 to 0.49 and digestible protein from 64.3 to 22.0 g/kg. Feed units and digestible protein were greater in the rainy season.