Protein level of spring regrowth of Trichloris pluriflora Fourn. in the Saline Semiarid Plain Depressed from Tucumán

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the protein level of spring regrowth of Trichloris pluriflora Fourn. under various soil conditions and saline tenor in the Saline Semiarid Plain Depressed of Tucuman. The study was performed in a cattle ranch located in the southeast of the Leales Department, Tucumán Province, Argentina. To meet the objective we worked on a paddock of 60 hectares of monofitic pasture of T. pluriflora on three microenvironments or environmental conditions (CA) resulting from the change in the slope of the ground, the tenor of soil salinity and the level of water accumulation in the profile. For each CA, 4 samples were collected at random from 1 m2 of T. pluriflora forages, separating components into green stems, green leaves, dry stalks, dry leaves and inflorescences, and proceeding to the drying oven at 65 °C to constant weight. The samples were analyzed by the Kjeldahl method to determine protein at two points within the period of spring regrowth: a) second half of September and b) mid-November. The results indicate that different levels of salt concentration and soil moisture determine variations in the protein content of plant components and that, throughout the period of spring regrowth, the components green leaves and green stalks of T. pluriflora, exceed the 6% minimum level of crude protein required for proper digestibility of food by grazer herbivores.