Desempenho produtivo e valor nutritivo de populações de trevo vesiculoso desenvolvidos pela Embrapa Clima Temperado e cultivados no Sudoeste do Paraná

Abstract

The use of forage legumes in ruminant feed provides benefits for both animal performance and the cultivation environment. To increase the efficiency of production systems, genetic improvement of materials capable of expressing their productive potential and adapting adequately to local edaphoclimatic conditions is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and nutritional value of three Trifolium vesiculosum genotypes (1109 and 1110) and two comercial cultivars (BRS Piquete and Zulu). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. Plant height (cm), total dry matter production (kg.ha⁻¹), leaf and stem dry matter production (kg.ha⁻¹), leaf:stem ratio, and bromatological composition, including dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (Hem), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), were evaluated. Total dry matter production did not differ significantly between genotypes (P>0.05). Dry matter content was higher in genotypes 1109 and 1110, which did not differ from the BRS Piquete cultivar. Structural components also did not show significant differences between genotypes or between cuts. Crude protein content was higher in genotype 1109, with no difference between the BRS Piquete and Zulu cultivars. For neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), no significant interactions (P>0.05) were observed between genotypes and cuts. Regarding acid detergent fiber (ADF), genotype 1109 showed the lowest values, although it did not differ from the Zulu and BRS Piquete cultivars, while genotype 1110 showed the highest levels of this fibrous component.