Leaf Area, Dry Matter Yield, and Chemical Composition of Stylosanthes Sp., Serra Talhada - PE.

Stylosanthes has its center of origin and diversity in Brazil. It is considered an important forage resource for livestock production in South America and other continents. This research evaluated the leaf area index (LAI), productivity, and chemical composition of Stylosanthes sp. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), in the Serra Talhada campus. Several entries from the Stylosanthes sp. germplasm bank were evaluated. The germplasm bank was established in Nov. 2011 and formed with Stylosanthes plants collected in the major regions of sheep and goat production in Pernambuco State. The following entries were evaluated: 85A, 75A (Serra Talhada), 104B and 111B (Floresta), 180C (Sertânia), 10E (Tupanatinga), 23G (Santa Cruz do Capibaribe), 18J and 59J (Petrolina), and 57L (Jataúba). Plants were staged at 20 cm stubble height. Evaluation of LAI, DM yield, ashes, and crude protein (CP) was performed 80 d after staging cut. The LAI was estimated using the CI-202 Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter measuring all plant leaves within quadrants. LAI was estimated using the leaf area and canopy cover. Stylosanthes spp. entries differed (P < 0.05) for all response variables. Greater LAI was observed for the entries 85A (4.0) and 111B (5.7). Productivity, ashes, and CP concentrations were greater for the entries 23G and 57L, with 219 and 355 g plant^-1; 121 and 115 g kg^-1; and 219 and 226 g kg^-1, respectively. The observed variability among entries will allow future germplasm selection of promissing Stylosanthes spp. for the region. Further studies are needed before cultivar release.