Efecto del encalado y la edad de rebrote sobre la calidad nutricional y el crecimiento de asociaciones gramínea-leguminosa

Introduction. In the Colombian highlands, bovine dairy production depends on forage. Therefore, it is crucial to develop its efficient and sustainable feeding strategies for bovine production systems. Objective. To evaluate the effect of liming and regrowth age on the daily growth rate, legume, and chemical composition of grass-legume associations during the dry and rainy seasons in the Colombian highlands. Material and methods. The experiment was conducted at Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), Tibaitatá research center in Mosquera, Colombia, from january to december 2018. The daily growth rate, chemical and botanical composition of ten grass-legume associations were measured using a split-split plot design. The data were analyzed according to the seasons, and the adjusted means were compared using the Tukey test. Results. Applying 6 t ha-1 of lime optimizes daily growth rate of grass-legume associations under any evaluation period (p < 0,05). The grass-legume associations showed a balance between daily growth rate and chemical composition between 35 and 45 days of regrowth age. The inclusion of legumes guaranteed crude protein levels above 20 % in most grass-legume associations, with neutral detergent fiber below 50 %. (p < 0,05). Certain grass-legume association exhibited crude protein levels exceeding 20 % at 60 days of regrowth age (p < 0,05). Conclusions. Liming and the inclusion of legumes optimized the daily growth rate and protein quality of the evaluated grass-legume associations for the studied periods, establishing an optimal equilibrium point between 35 and 45 days of regrowth age.