Evaluation of seven varieties of alfalfa for the nutritional improvement of livestock in Ceja de Selva, Amazonas

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate seven varieties of alfalfa: Beacon, WL-625 HQ, WL-440, WL-330, WL-450, WL-350 and Rebound for the nutritional improvement of livestock in the Florida, Amazonas district. Plots of 6.5 m² were installed for each treatment under a Completely Randomized Block Design with subsampling; The evaluation was for ten cuts. Variables such as plant height (AP), Dry Matter (MS), Basal Diameter (DB), Green Forage (FV) and leaf / stem ratio were evaluated. An analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple comparisons test were performed to see the significant differences between treatments; In addition, the correlation coefficient that allowed measuring the degree of association of the variables AP, FVwith DB and FVwith MS was calculated using the Statistical Analysis System software. The results found show that the highest height was for the WL-625 HQ variety (53.43 ± 6 cm), higher PVproduction for the Beacon variety with 220 t / ha / year and the variety with the highest DM yield was WL- 440 with 56 t DM / ha / year. The basal diameter was different between varieties. The WL-450 variety showed the highest leaf / stem ratio (1.54 cm) with 58% of leaves and 42% of stems. The highest correlation for plant height was presented in the WL-625 HQ and Beacon varieties for all phenological periods. In conclusion, the varieties that represent an alternative for the nutritional improvement of livestock in Ceja de Selva are Beacon and WL-625 HQ.