This research was conducted in Itapetininga, SP, Brazil, using a one year-old pasture, with the objective of evaluating the effect of plant age on yield, chemical and mineral composition, and digestibility of Florakirk bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). The experimental design consisted of randomized complete blocks, with six treatments replicated four times. Treatments consisted of six cutting ages (20-70 days) at ten-day intervals. Dry matter yield increased quadratically (P<0.05), reaching a maximum at 70 days (215 g m-2). In vitro organic matter digestibility decreased (711 g to 549 g kg-1) between 20 to 70 days. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased quadratically (P<0.05) as age increased. N, P, K, Mg, and Ca concentration decreased with increasing age. There was no difference (P>0.05) in S concentration between 20 and 60 days. A larger variation for macronutrient concentrations was observed than for micronutrient (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) concentrations with increasing plant age. There was no influence of age on B concentration. The best association of nutritive value and yield was observed at 40 days. Occurrence of the spittlebug and foliar diseases was observed, which probably retarded the vegetative and maturity processes.
plant age; nutritive value; chemical composition; grass yield