The Sowing Date and Soybean Cultivars in Yield of Forage
de Rezende, P.M.; Carvalho, E.R.; dos Passos, A.M.A.; Martinez, R.A.S.
Bioscience Journal 28(4): 557-565
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1981-3163 Accession: 066265396
The soybean has forage potential due to its nutritional characteristics and dry matter production, constituting a source of low cost and high quality food. The aim of this study was to evaluate soybean cultivars in different sowing dates on the yield and chemical composition of the forage. The experiment was carried out at the Agriculture Department of the Federal University of Lavras, MG, cropping years 2006/07 and 2007/08. A randomized block experimental design in a 3 x 5 factorial with three replications involving five sowing dates (Oct. 30th., Nov. 15 and 30th., Dec. 15 and 30th) and three soybean cultivars, M-SOY 8400 (mid cycle), Conquista (mid late cycle) and Luziania (late cycle) was used. The characteristics in forage: fresh mass, dry matter, crude protein and minerals P, K, Ca, Mg and S were evaluated. The sowing dates October 30th and November 15th are suitable to obtain higher yields and better quality of soybean forage. The Luziania cultivar (late cycle) distinguished in relation to M-SOY 8400 (mid cycle) and MG / BR 46 Conquista (mid late cycle) for forage production, indicating the potential of this cultivar for this purpose.