Determination of the Age and Optimal Cutting Time Based on the Concentration of Soluble Carbohydrates in a Rye grass Tetraploide

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted in Toacaso Town in the northwest of Latacunga City, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The researchers aimed to establish in situ the optimal age and cutting time of REMINGTON Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) based on the concentration of soluble carbohydrates using a digital refractometer. The research used 48 experimental units, each with an area of 16 m2 (4 × 4 m) and a total area of 768 m2. The experiment was carried out for 60 days in which the highest concentration of carbohydrates was evaluated taking into account (i) the age of the pasture – 45 and 60 days (factor A) and (ii) the cutting time – 08H00, 10H00, 12H00, 14H00, 16H00, and 18H00 hours (factor B0) for which a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used under a bifactorial arrangement with four repetitions per treatment. The results reported that the highest concentration of soluble carbohydrates was obtained at 60 days of age with 13.15º Brix (ºBx), while the optimal cut-off time was 2:00 p.m. with a concentration of 16.33 ºBx. The authors conclude that the older the pasture, and considering the time of the day, the higher the concentration of soluble carbohydrates will be. The highest cost-benefit was obtained at 4:00 p.m. presenting a cost-benefit of $1.44 which means that for every dollar invested a profit of 44 cents was obtained. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest the REMINGTON Ryegrass at 60 days of age at 2:00 p.m.

Keywords

• soluble carbohydrates, ryegrass (lolium perenne), remintong, digital refractometer, brix degrees.