Concentration of Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron of Brachiaria Humidicola (Rendle Schweick) at Various Cultivation Methods and Defoliation Intervals

The existence of weeds significantly decreases the rate of production and quality of herbage. Physical weed control by defoliation could be expected to sustain quality and production of herbage, and is able to control weeds expansion. The aims of this study were to know the effect of defoliation intervals of B. humidicola that invited by C. odorata and its effect on potassium, magnesium and iron concentration. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Agrostology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University. Chemical composition of forage was analyzed at the Chemistry Laboratory, Center of Soil and Agroclimatology Research. Split Plot Design in Time was used in the field experiment. The treatments were nine different planting methods and different defoliation intervals. Defoliation times were divided on the first defoliation and the last defoliation. The results of this experiment showed that potassium, magnesium and iron concentrations of herbage which were defoliated every 30 days was significantly higher than those defoliated every 60 days and 90 days. Potassium and iron concentrations at the last defoliation were higher than the first defoliation. The existence of C. odorata decreased magnesium and iron concentration of B. humidicola herbage, although they were defoliated together with grass defoliation

Feed Forage and Nutrition Value at Altitudes During the Dry Season in the West Java

Field grass was a source of ruminant forage, especially for rural farmers in the West Java in different altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of grass during the dry season which included the botanical composition analysis and chemical analysis of nutritional value. The study was conducted from September to November 2015. The method used was a survey method, sampling was multistage sampling. The parameters measured in the study included a botanical composition of the forage, biomass production of feed materials on fresh and dry matter, dry material content, an inorganic material included ash, calcium and phosphorus, protein, crude fiber, extract materials without nitrogen, and crude fat. The results showed that the areas in the West Java were drought in September and October, thus resulting in very limited supply of forage and the productivity of the forages was very low. A botanical composition in the highland area was more complete included grass, legumes and weeds than lowland areas and medium altitude. Forage production in highland areas was higher than in lowland areas and medium altitude. Feed plants in the lowlands had a greater fiber content which was forming energy for plants, and lower crude protein when compared to highlan