Degradabilidade, composição química e anatomia de feno de maniçoba (Manihot sp.)

Abstract

Aiming to relate the structural components of cell wall with its degradability, the chemical composition, the secondary compounds, the in situ degradability, anatomy and tissue degradability of hay of “maniçoba” (wild cassava) were evaluated. The stem showed cells with varied degrees of lignification, highlighting the presence of gelatinous fibers, pith parenchyma lignified and tick cell walls inside the xylem. The leaves were highlighted by the presence of a girder structure, which can influence the degradability; it is characterized by the great quantity of mesophyll, constituted by cells with thin walls, contributing for degradability of dry matter. Idioblasts with druses of oxalate were observed around the vascular tissues, in the midrib. It works like defense mechanisms of plant against herbivores and can affect the availability of minerals for animals. The “maniçoba” hay, in spite of its advanced maturity stage (early fruit development), present adequate chemical composition and low concentration of HCN and tannins. The limits mains to degradability are wall cell thickness and lignifications, particularly in tissue of stem. Additionally, several aspects here reported induce to the continuity of researches in several focuses and aim the improvement to use this specie as forage.