Resumo

SANCHEZ, Saray; CRESPO, G  e  HERNANDEZ, Marta. Litter decomposition in a silvopastoral system of Panicum maximum and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit cv. Cunningham: I. Influence of their chemical composition. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.3, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

With the objective of determining the litter decomposition and its relationship to the chemical composition of Panicum maximum and Leucaena leucocephala in a silvopastoral system, this trial was conducted at the EEPF «Indio Hatuey». Litter decomposition was determined as biomass loss through time, with regards to initial weight. For studying the decomposition dynamics, the method of litter bags was used. In each species a different litter decomposition pattern appeared; the average litter decomposition rate was higher in leucaena than in Guinea grass. Rapid weight loss was found in both species during the first 30 days and afterwards the process was slower. This behavior could be related to the chemical composition of pastures, because the percentage of lost biomass in L. leucocephala litter showed a higher correlation to the cell content concentrations, lignin/nitrogen relationship, cellulose and Nt. A significant and negative dependence was observed between the P. maximum litter and the concentrations of NDF and hemicellulose; while it was positively related to the N-NDF concentrations and the lignin/nitrogen relationship.

Palavras-chave : Chemical composition; litter; Leucaena leucocephala; Panicum maximum.

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