Con el objeto de determinar el rendimiento forrajero y valor nutritivo se evaluó el pasto elefante morado (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) en la costa central. Los tratamientos fueron las edades del pasto: 4ta, 5to, 6to, 7mo y 8vo semana distribuidos en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con muestreo, dos repeticiones/tratamiento. El rendimiento de forraje verde fue mas alto a la 8va semana en primavera mientras que en verano fue a la 4ta  semana, el rendimiento de materia seca fue superior a la 5ta semana en primavera y a la 4ta semana en verano, así mismo la altura de la planta fue superior a la 8ta  semana en ambas estaciones. Las mejores relaciones hoja: tallo se encontraron en primavera (2.08) comparado con el verano (1.08) siendo diferentes estadísticamente (P≤0.05). El macollamiento disminuyó con la edad en ambas estaciones, teniendo una media de 86.91 macollos a la eda...

This study aimed to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible energy of dry velvet bean fodder (Mucuna pruriens). The indirect method was used, considering as a basal diet the concentrate used in the university guinea pig farm (Lima, Peru). The experiment had an adaptation phase (14 days) and a faecal collection phase (5 days). Ten adult male 3-month old guinea pigs randomly distributed in individual metabolic cages were used. Five animals were fed the basal diet and the other five with the experimental diet: 80% basal diet and 20% dry velvet bean fodder. The apparent digestibility coefficients obtained for the dry velvet bean were: 66.29% dry matter, 66.13% organic matter, 74.02% crude protein, 50.82% crude fibre, 60.18% ether extract, 78.22% nitrogen-free extract and 73.33% ash. The estimated digestible energy value was 2.61 kcal/g.

This study aimed to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible energy of dry velvet bean fodder (Mucuna pruriens). The indirect method was used, considering as a basal diet the concentrate used in the university guinea pig farm (Lima, Peru). The experiment had an adaptation phase (14 days) and a faecal collection phase (5 days). Ten adult male 3-month old guinea pigs randomly distributed in individual metabolic cages were used. Five animals were fed the basal diet and the other five with the experimental diet: 80% basal diet and 20% dry velvet bean fodder. The apparent digestibility coefficients obtained for the dry velvet bean were: 66.29% dry matter, 66.13% organic matter, 74.02% crude protein, 50.82% crude fibre, 60.18% ether extract, 78.22% nitrogen-free extract and 73.33% ash. The estimated digestible energy value was 2.61 kcal/g.