The utilization of grasses, legumes and other forage crops for cattle feeding in Puerto Rico I. Comparison of Guinea Grass, Para Grass "Malojillo" and a mixture of Para Grass and Tropical Kudzu as pasture crops

Abstract

Pará grass or "malojillo" (Panicum purpurascens), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and a mixture of Pará grass and tropical Kudzu (Pueraria javanica) were tested as pasture crops by rotational grazing of 1/3 acre plots with native heifers which were 6-7 months of age at the start of the trial. At the time the heifers were changed from one lot to another, the uneaten portions of the forages were clipped, weighed, and samples secured for chemical analysis. Observations were also made on the ability of the crops to withstand drought, trampling, etc. Pará and Guinea grasses were similar as measured by gains of the animals, yield and carrying capacity. The Pará grass suffered severely during one phase of the trial due to a drought which affected it unduly because the grass was planted on high, well-drained, soil in contrast to its natural habitat. Guinea grass was not affected by the drought. This resistance plus its other desirable qualities indicates that Guinea grass is suitable as a pasture crop in Puerto Rico. The combination of Pará grass and Kudzu was found to give the best results in total digestible nutrients, gain in weight of the animals and carrying capacity. There was some evidence to indicate that the mixture benefited the nitrogen balance of the soil and assisted in the retention of precipitation. The Kudzu contained approximately 17 per cent crude protein and Pará grass of the mixture had a higher protein content than that grown alone. The results of this study indicate that Kudzu is a highly desirable crop to use in conjunction with Pará grass for pasture purposes.