Production and quality of forage with organic pasture amendments (Brachiaria Brizantha) on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua

Abstract

In this research, different organic alternatives have been applied to determine their effects on forage's production and quality in Brachiaria brizantha. The study evaluated three types of organic amendments (Lombrizhumus, Bokashi and EM) in the Brachiaria brizantha grass, which were compared with a witness treatment (no organic amendment). A completely randomized block design (BCA) was used, 4 replicates per treatment for a total of 16 plots, evaluated in established pastures. The highest production of green biomass is 17.325 kg/ha when applying lombrihumus; in dry matter production lombrihumus obtained the highest yield (3.383 kg/ha). The largest length of primary roots was obtained by applying lombrihu- mus (17.25 cm). In the leaf/stem ratio variable the greatest results were obtained with Lombrihumus; With Bokashi were obtained the highest percentage of dry matter digestibility (62%), crude protein (9.8%) and ash (9.52%). Lombrihumus and bokashi had the greatest effects on the variables evaluated in Brachiaria brizantha. The use of organic alternatives is recommended to optimize the production and quality of the Brachiaria brizantha pasture.