Chemical composition of Urochloa and Megathyrsus maximus cultivars under tropical humid forest conditions

Urochloa and Megathyrsus maximus comprise the most widely sown grasses in Venezuela, and their composition is influenced by management practices and the rainfall regime in the region. The chemical composition of seven grass cultivars was evaluated during the dry and rainy seasons under two defoliation frequencies (4 and 6 weeks) in tropical humid forest conditions of the Catatumbo municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela. Dry Matter (DM), Ash (ASH), Ether Extract (EE), Crude Protein (CP) and Crude Fiber (CF) were measured. A randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement and four replications per cultivar was used. Highly significant effects (p