Pastos y Forrajes (Dec 2010)
Efecto del forraje de Morus alba en los indicadores productivos y de salud de bovinos jóvenes en pastoreo Effect of Morus alba forage on the productive and health indicators of grazing calves
Abstract
Con el objetivo de evaluar las potencialidades de la morera (Morus alba var. Cubana) para la suplementación de bovinos jóvenes en pastoreo y sus efectos en la productividad y la salud de los animales, se desarrolló esta investigación en la EEPF "Indio Hatuey" durante la época lluviosa, con dos tratamientos: el grupo experimental recibía 6 kg de morera fresca troceada y 500 g de concentrado/animal/día (A); mientras que en el grupo control la suplementación era de 1 kg de concentrado/animal/día y heno de pangola a voluntad (B). Se evalúo la composición bromatológica y fitoquímica de la morera, el peso vivo, la ganancia media diaria (GMD) y el conteo fecal de huevos (CFH) de nemátodos gastrointestinales en los animales. Se observaron diferencias significativas (PIn order to evaluate the potential of mulberry (Morus alba var. Cubana) for the supplementation of young grazing cattle and its effects on the productivity and health of the animals, this study was conducted at the EEPF "Indio Hatuey" during the rainy season, with two treatments: the experimental group received 6 kg of fresh chopped mulberry and 500 g of concentrate/animal/day (A); while in the control group supplementation was 1 kg of concentrate/animal/day and pangola grass hay ad libitum (B). The bromatological and phytochemical composition of mulberry, live weight, mean daily gain (MDG) and fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes in the animals were evaluated. Significant differences (P<0,001) were observed in the live weight between treatments (186,06 vs 169,01 kg). Likewise, a significant effect (P<0,05) of the MDG was detected, with values higher than 600 g in the supplemented animals. On the other hand, the FEC showed significant differences (P<0,01) since the second month of evaluation, with stable performance and values lower than 100 epg in the experimental group. Seven groups of secondary metabolites were found; the most representative ones were phenols, tripertene-steroids and flavonoids, which have therapeutical action on animals. The mulberry forage is concluded to show good nutritional characteristics that allow its inclusion in diets for grazing calves. In addition, good results in the live weight and mean daily gain can be obtained with supplementation.
