A trial was carried out at the Remehue Experimental Station (INlA, Osomo). in order to study the evolution of both physical and chemical parameters, in a two-year old red clover sward. lt was sown in spring 1984, with 13 kg/ha of seed and 20-70-42 kg/ha of N, P and K, respectively. Four 2 x 30 m blocks were randomly alloted on a 2 ha-paddock. The pasture was deferred on August 28, 1985 and sampled weekly, from October 25 to March 21, 1986. Results indicated that a high forage yield can be obtained from this legume (14 ton D.M./year). Dry matter and cell wall increased and in vitro digestibility, total protein, calcium and phosphorus declined, with the advance in maturity. An inverse ratio was found between cell wall and in vitro digestibility. |