Evaluation of new hybrid brachiaria lines in Thailand. 1. Forage production and quality

Abstract

Forty-three new hybrid bracharia lines were evaluated for forage accumulation and nutritive value in Northeast Thailand from 2006 to 2011 in experiments at 2 sites, using Mulato II hybrid brachiaria as a standard for comparison. The parameters evaluated were wet and dry season dry matter (DM) accumulation, leaf:stem ratio, crude protein (CP) concentration and fiber level [acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF)]. No lines consistently displayed superior dry season forage accumulation and leaf:stem ratio over Mulato II. In the wet seasons, 14 lines produced more DM than Mulato II but in only one wet season each. Mulato II produced forage with high leaf:stem ratio in all seasons. Many lines did have significantly higher CP concentrations and lower levels of ADF and NDF than Mulato II, but their forage accumulation and leaf:stem ratio were inferior. Four lines (BR02/1718, BR02/1752, BR02/1794 and BR02/0465) were granted Plant Variety Rights in 2011. Keywords: Cayman, Cobra, crude protein, dry matter yields, forage regrowth, Mulato II. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)83-93