INFLUENCE DU STADE DE CROISSANCE À LA PREMIÈRE RÉCOLTE SUR LE RENDEMENT, LA COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE ET LES RÉSERVES NUTRITIVES DE LA FLÉOLE DES PRÉS

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Abstract
A 3-yr study on the stages of growth of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at harvest showed that the dry matter yields increased, in the spring growth, with advance in maturity. The highest annual yield was obtained, however, when the first cut was taken at the bloom stage. The percentage of crude protein, fat and ash decreased and that of crude fibre increased with the age of the plant. The Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Zn and Cu contents declined with maturity while the elements Mn, Al, Fe and B did not vary significantly. The food reserves in the lower stem internodes were low at the vegetative stage in the spring (11.7% of DM), but raised rapidly up to the bloom stage (33.9%).