Evaluación de tres variedades de pastos Boxer, Amazon y Kirial en la Estación Agropecuaria de la Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted at the Agricultural Station of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL). The objective was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and nutritional quality of three varieties of forage grasses: Boxer, Amazon, and Kiral. A block experimental design was used. Parameters such as germination percentage, tiller vigor, morphological characteristics such as height, leaf number, and stem diameter, as well as biomass yield, food composition, and health were evaluated. Eight cuttings were made at 30- to 45-day intervals, and dry matter and nutritional quality such as crude protein, fiber, and metabolizable energy were determined. The results showed that Amazon was the variety with the highest green biomass with up to 97 bunches/m and regrowth vigor, its nutritional quality with high protein content (25.65 %), metabolizable energy (2.23 Mcal/kg) and soluble solids of 15.5°Brix, concluding that this is the preferred option for intensive production, while Kiral and Boxer are useful in systems with lower intensity.