Relationship of chlorophyll concentration to nutritional content of six forage shrubs

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the nutritional content and chlorophyll index (CCI) of six tree forages, for which CCI, protein, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur were analyzed at 30, 45 and 65 days. A completely randomized block design in divided plots with six replications was used. Results were compared with a 5 % Tukey test, correlations (Pearson) and linear regressions were performed to determine the effect of ICC with nutrients. The contents of ICC, protein, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur showed statistical differences (p < 0.05) for the factors forage shrubs and cutting intervals, and their intercropping. Leucaena presented higher contents of ICC in all intervals. Protein results were higher in Gliricidia (30 days), Leucaena (45 days) and Moringa (60 days). For phosphorus, the best values were obtained in Morus (30 days) and Moringa (30, 45 and 60 days). Tithonia reached higher potassium and calcium concentrations in the three cutting intervals, as well as for magnesium (30 days). The ICC determined with direct reading meters allowed correlation with protein content and leaf tissue nutrients P, K, Ca, Mg, S.