Abstract

CARDENAS, Carlos Arturo; ROCHA, Cristina  and  CASTANEDA, Román David. Effect of on cutting age on morphometric measures, nutritional value and protein fractioning of sauco (Sambucus nigra). Agron. Costarricense [online]. 2016, vol.40, n.2, pp.107-116. ISSN 0377-9424.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/rac.v40i2.27390.

Silvopastoral systems are an alternative to improve the interactions taking place in the soilplant-animal system, and to ensure that livestock production can be an ecofriendly solution. Studies suggest that sauco (Sambucus nigra) is a promising forage for livestock in high tropical systems; however, it requires further investigation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cutting age on some morphometric characteristics, dry matter yield, the nutritive value, total phenols, condensed tannins and protein fractioning of sauco (Sambucus spp.). The study was conducted in an area of very humid mountain forest. A completely randomized design was used with four cutting ages as treatments. Morphometric measurements were greater at 180 days with a height of 233 cm, tree top diameter of 168 cm, 93 cm long shoot and a biomass of 5360 g.tree-1. The dry matter yield, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber also increased with cutting age. Protein fractioning results showed that sauco has a highly digestible protein with 31% nonprotein nitrogen and 37% soluble nitrogen as highest values. Phenol and tannin concentrations are very low and do not affect the health of the ruminant. Results suggest that due to its nutritional content and agronomic performance, sauco (Sambucus nigra) is a viable alternative for ruminant nutrition in the high tropics.

Keywords : High tropic forages plants; ruminants; silvopastoral systems.

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