Forage suitability of cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta) and its contribution to the nutritional quality of microsilages

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the forage productivity of different cassava cultivars and their nutritional contribution to sugarcane microsilages. For this, an essay was carried out in Corrientes, Argentina, on seven cultivars (Amarilla, Palomita, Tapó Joá, Rocha, Clon 60, Clon 30, EC-9). The characterization of the materials was carried out through the measurement of different foliar variables: foliar retention, dry leaf biomass, dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), gross protein (PB), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) foliar percentage. The cultivar Amarilla was highlighted for its forage production that reached 23.160 kg/DM but presented only 4.62% PB. Another five cultivars showed lower leaf productivity but protein concentration higher than 11%. About nutritional characteristics of microsilages, the treatment consisted of combining two proportions of cassava foliage and sugarcane T1 (30% cassava + 70% sugarcane) and T2 (15% cassava + 85% sugarcane). For each treatment six sampling units were made, from which three were evaluated at 30 days of silage and the remaining at 60 days. In microsilages samples were evaluated pH, %MS, N, PB, neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in each instance. In T1 pH stabilized at 60 days and in T2 at 30 days. The PB (%) was significantly higher in T1 at both times. The ADF and NDF (%) were established over time. Cassava leaves proved to be a valuable protein resource, which can be successfully ensiled to supplement nutritional deficiencies of cattle from Northeastern Argentina.