Protein bioavailability of Panicum maximum cv Mombaza grass under foliar fertilization with zinc metalosate

Abstract

The present research was carried out in two sites. The first corresponded to the agronomic phase in the province of Orellana, in the Joya de los Sachas canton. The second phase consisted in determining the rumen degradability (bioavailability) of the protein by developing it in the laboratory of Rumiology and Nutritional Metabolism of the Faculty of Animal Sciences at the Quevedo State Technical University, The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three levels of Zinc metalosate on the bioavailability of protein in Mombaza grass. A randomized complete block design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used. Nine treatments were distributed in 3 random blocks (fistulated Brahman bulls). The factors under study were zinc metalosate (0, 1 and 2 liters ha-1) and age cut or regrowth (28, 35 and 42 days) and the variables under study Ash bioavailability (protein degradability), Ruminal incubation times (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). The zinc metalosate effect stands out at the level of 0 and 1 liter per hectare only after 72 hours of incubation, improving the bioavailability of protein. Regarding the regrowth age effect, it was highlighted that 28 days after cutting the Mombasa grass, the bioavailability of the protein is improved in the incubation times of 48 and 72 hours. The interaction of factors showed that protein bioavailability improved at 0 hours of incubation with the combinations 1 L ha-1 x 35 days and 1 L ha-1 x 42 d. Keywords: incubation; bioavailability; degradability