CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA Y NUTRICIONAL DE PASTO ROSADO [Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka] EN EL ESTADO DE CHIHUAHUA

Abstract

Natal grass (Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka) has the capacity to invade and displace native species of ecological importance. In México the variability this species presents is unknown, since it has been a relatively short time since it was established. The objective was to characterize wild populations of Natal grass through physical and chemical descriptors, to determine their morphological diversity and nutritional composition in Chihuahua, México. Thirteen (13) populations were characterized morphologically in mature phenological stage and the content of fibers and raw protein (CP) was determined. The morphological data were analyzed through Cluster Analysis and MANOVA. The nutritional value was analyzed with ANOVA and the means comparison with Tukey test. Not enough morphological diversity was found to differentiate the populations of Natal grass; the nutritional content was determined and a difference of RP was found between populations (p<0.05). Based on the nutritional contribution presented, a fodder value ranging of fair to good was estimated for this species.