PROXIMAL AND GROWTH ANALYSIS OF FORAGE SOYBEAN (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) VARIETIES

Abstract

Due to their broad productivity and nutritional value, legumes are used in animal production systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive behavior and the chemical quality of different varieties of forage soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) using a growth analysis in the dry tropics of Mexico. The treatments included the following evaluated varieties: Salcer, Ojo de Tigre, Valente, and Albina. The variables determined were total dry matter (TDM), yield by component, plant height, intercepted radiation, plants per square meter, weight per stem, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber. The variety with the highest TDM yield was Ojo de Tigre, with 5562 kg ha-1, whereas Salcer had the lowest, with 4626 kg ha-1 (p < 0.05). The intercepted radiation increased with the age of the plant in all four varieties until day 61 after harvest, reaching an average of 96 %, a value that remained until day 68. The genotype with the best attributes in dry matter yields, structural characteristics, and plant height was Ojo de Tigre. The optimum moment for harvest was established at day 61, when an average of 95 % intercepted radiation and better quality were obtained, which defines the optimum cutting point for the conditions of the dry tropics of Mexico.