Productivity and forage quality of buckwheat (“Fagopyrum esculentum” Moench) and pearl millet (“Pennisetum glaucum” (L.) R.BR)

Abstract

This trial compared forage production and quality of Pearl Millet and Buckwheat in three cutting age on irrigation conditions during dry season, evaluated in a randomized block split plot design with tree replications. Was determined content of Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Mineral Matter (MM) and in vitro gas production. Forage production of Buckwheat was higher than Pearl Millet in all the cutting ages. Pearl Millet CP content was similar to all three cuts but Buckwheat CP content was higher in the first cut and reduced in the others. The NDF content of Buckwheat was higher in the first cut and reduced in the others, meanwhile Pearl Millet presented low NDF value in the first cut but increased in the second and third cut. The Buckwheat presented high ADF content than Pearl Millet in all the cuts. In vitro gas production from Pearl Millet was higher in the first cut but more high for Buckwheat in the second and third cuts. Buckwheat produced more forage with high quality than Pearl Millet during dry season.