Fodder production and quality of three cassava varieties under three planting densities

One limitation of livestock farming in the Colombian Caribbean is the decline in production and quality of forage in times of drought or rain. The aim of this study was to evaluate forage production and nutritional quality of three varieties of cassava (SM 2546-40, SM 1511-6 and SM 2081-34) under three planting densities (40,000, 55,000 and 70,000 plants ha-1) and three harvest ages (75, 90 and 105 days). The experiment was conducted at the Research Center Turipaná-Corpoica, in 2011, under a split-split-plot design with three replications. Green fodder production (GFP), dry matter production (DMP), crude protein production (CPP), crude protein content (CPC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ash were evaluated. In the wet season (May-August), the GFP and DMP was 150% higher than in the dry season (January to April) and the protein 100% higher. Cassava variety SM 2081-34 produced greater GFP and DMP, and lower content of ADF. In the three planting densities, GFP and DMP were similar, but with 55,000 and 700,000 plants / ha, the CPP was higher. After 105 days, the highest GFP, DMP and CPP were obtained, whereas at 75 days, the forage had lower contents of NDF and ADF, and higher protein content (CPB). After 105 days, the ash content was higher. SM 2081-34 variety produced more dry matter and protein at 105 days with 55,000 ha-1 plants.