Nutrient production in pastures of Triticale BRS Saturno submitted to different levels of nitrogen in topdressing

Abstract

Pastures are a primary source of feed for ruminants, which convert fibrous plants into nutritionally valuable foods for humans, such as meat and milk. However, it is important to understand the nutrient content of different fodder crops for ruminants and its effect on meat, milk, and milk products. We aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer doses in topdressing on nutrient production in pastures of Triticale BRS Saturno. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replications. Descriptive statistics of yields per hectare were determined, and a simple linear regression was carried out at the level of 5% significance. The different nitrogen topdressing rates (0, 50, and 100 kg N ha-1) influenced the production (P < 0.05) of dry matter, total carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein, soluble protein, insoluble protein in neutral and acid detergent, protein degradability, ether extract, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids, neutral detergent fiber digestibility after incubation for 24, 30, and 48 h, and the neutral detergent fiber degradation rate. The different doses of nitrogen fertilizer in topdressing in the form of urea increased nutrient production in pastures of Triticale BRS Saturno, mainly in relation to total carbohydrates and neutral and acid detergent fiber. To a lesser extent, it also significantly interfered with the production of nitrogenous constituents and fatty acids.