Biomass production and nutritional quality in consociated pastures in the central highlands of Peru

The aim of this research was to evaluate and obtain data on forage production (t/ha) and the nutritional quality of legume species, grasses, and their associates in the central highlands of Peru. The study was carried out at the Casaracra experimental centre of the Daniel Alcides Carrión National University, in the central highlands of Peru, at 3786 meters above sea level. Forage production values were obtained in terms of dry matter, green matter, and percentage of dry matter, as well as nutritional quality values: Total protein (TP%), Fat (G%), Crude fibre (CF%), Ash (C%), Calcium (Ca%), Phosphorus (P%), Nitrogen-free extract (NFE%), and Gross energy (GE kcal/100 g). Significant differences were found between treatments for forage biomass and nutritional quality. A dendrogram was constructed where the treatments were grouped into three groups based on their similar characteristics and statistically significant values: In addition, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to observe the relationship between the evaluated characteristics and the treatments. It is concluded that in the moderately acidic soil, the treatments showed adequate establishment and growth, and that the treatment consisting of Lolium multiflorum cv. Tama in association with Medicago sativa cv. W440 is the most recommended for planting in high Andean soils.