The carbohydrates and proteins fractions of tropical grasses Tifton 85 (Cynodon dactylon cv Tifton 85), brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu), and Tanzania (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv Tanzania) were evaluated at cut ages of 28, 35, and 54 days. Contents of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), fiber in neutral detergent corrected for ashes and protein (NDF CP), fiber in acid detergent (ADF), lignin (LIG), neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN), and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) were determined. For CP, the A, B1+B2, B3, and C fractions were determined. For carbohydrates, the fractions A+B1, B2, and C were measured. A completely randomized split-plot design was used. Effect of cut age on DM, NDF CP, NDIN and ADIN was observed. The CP contents decreased with the progress of the age for the three grasses. The Marandu grass presented high percentage of the fractions A+B1 and B2 for the total carbohydrate (25.5 and 34.8%, respectively) and of the fractions A and B1+B2 for the proteins (28.1% CP at 35 days and 53.8% CP at 28 days, respectively).
tropical grass; brachiaria; tifton; tanzania
