Desidratação da fitomassa forrageira da malva branca (Sida cordifolia).

Abstract

Dehydration of forage phytomass of white mallow (Sida cordifolia). The study of the nutritional value of forage native of caatinga is crucial for the sustainability of production systems in semiarid, highlighting the potential of forage species. With the completion of this study aimed to estimate the time of dehydration and quality hay leaves and stems of the plant malva branca (Sida cordifolia). The plants were sprouting, flowering and fruiting and average height of 1.67 meters. Samples were collected and representative stems with diameters ranging from 1.69 – 11.88 mm, which were cut, separated into leaves and stems and subjected to dehydration process which constitutes the drying process in a forced air circulation at a temperature of 60 ° C for 72 hours to constant weight. The collection, identification and measurement of samples of plants was carried out at the Experimental Farm NUPEÁRIDO, separation of leaf and stem, weighing and dehydration curve itself was performed in the laboratory of Animal Nutrition, all belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande-UFCG. The dehydration curve was obtained based on the intervals of time of weighing. Greatest loss occurring within the first 12 hours of dehydration. Can be considered normal curve observed differences in dewatering of white mallow, since the processes of loss of water through the leaves and stems directly dependent on the dry matter content of leaf and stem. The plant malva branca (Sida cordifolia) showed a good forage potential as rapid dehydration. The curve dehydration of leaves and stems of malva branca (Sida cordifolia) was best represented by the regression equation potential higher losses in the first 12 hours and tenure stabilizing at about 24 hours. The leaf stem behaved in a manner reducing the first 6 hours followed by an increase up to 24 hours of dehydration.