Pin Chanjula and Somunek Sornnok

pp. 49 - 60

Abstract

A 2x2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications was carried out to investigate the effects of varieties (V, KU50 and RY72) and timing of subsequent cutting (SC, 2 and 3 months after cutting) on yield and chemical composition of cassava hay. The results revealed that both total hay yield and crude protein dry matter yield were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by variety or subsequent cutting. Cassava could produce from 4.98 to 6.15 t/ha of DM and 1.29 to 1.39 t/ha of CP. CP content in cassava plant ranged from 23.03 to 26.55% and was affected by different SC regimes. Their DM and CP rate of degradability of cassava hay (CH) were studied using the nylon bag technique, in ruminally fistulated crossbred beef steers. The ruminal disappearance characteristics of CH and the effective degradability of DM and CP of all treatments were not significantly different (P>0.05) among the treatments. Based on this research, it was concluded that two varieties with subsequent cutting at 2 or 3 months intervals for 9 months was optimal
to obtain high dry matter and protein yield as well as moderate-high nutritive value cassava hay. Moreover, it could be cultivated to produce CH with high nutritive value in southern conditions.