<p><strong>Background.</strong> The productive variability of the forage is determined by the type of soil and the cultivation system. The use of silvopastoral systems represents an alternative because they can increase forage production and quality. <strong>Objective.</strong> To evaluate the production, the morphological components and the nutritional quality of the biomass of <em>Cynodon plectostachyus</em> (star grass) alone or in association with <em>Leucaena leucocephala</em> (huaxin). <strong>Methodology.</strong> The study was carried out in Tizimin, Yucatan, Mexico. Plots of <em>C. plectostachyus</em> were established in alleys croping of <em>L. leucocephala</em> and in monoculture, in hyperskeletal Luvisols and Leptosols soils. A 2 X 2 factorial design with five repetitions per treatment was used. The biomass production, the forage components and the content of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were evaluated for one year. <strong>Results.</strong> Forage production, leaf and forage quality did not change according to the cultivation system (p≥0.05). No effect is believed due to the type of soil (p≥0.05). The interaction of the cultivation system with the type of soil increased the NDF content of <em>C. plectostachyus</em> (p≤0.05). <strong>Implications.</strong> The association of <em>C. plectostachyus</em> and <em>L. leucocephala</em> could increase the availability of structural carbohydrates for ruminant nutrition. Likewise, it is essential to consider long-term evaluations that allow to know the improvements in the crude protein content and the biomass production of the grasses in association under silvopastoral systems. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> The association of <em>C. plectostachyus</em> with <em>L. leucocephala</em> in Leptosol soil increases the availability of structural carbohydrates by increasing the stem and dead tissue that can be incorporated as organic matter in the soil.</p>
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.