Diameter on branch dehydration, chemical composition and hay production in Jurema preta (Mimosa tenuiflora Wild. Poir.)

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of stem diameter in branch dehydration, chemical composition and hay production in Jurema preta (Mimosa tenuiflora). The selected plants were about three feet high and were in the end of blooming. Representative branches were selected with 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm diameters, which were sliced and separated into stems and leaves and submitted to the dehydration process. It consisted of drying in the forced air circulation stove at a 65°C temperature until the constant weight was reached. The dehydration curve was obtained according to the weighing time intervals. The other variables used a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications. The stem and leaves dehydration had a linear response with plateau, being greater at 5mm, with 0.02g water/g DM in the stems after 15.84 hours and 0.01g water/g DM in the leaves after 13.48 hours. The stem CP decreased and the NDF and ADF increased with the diameter of the branch, but it did not influence the leaf’s chemical composition. If the goal is branch quality in Jurema preta, they should be cut with diameters smaller than 6 mm; if the goal is quantity, with diameters from 7 to 9 mm; but if the aim is to match quality and quantity, it is recommended to cut the branches when they reach a diameter of 6mm.