Rev. prod. anim., 25 (1): 2013 ISSN 2224-7920 Agronomical Evaluation of Four Varieties of Pastures Madelín Cruz Cruz * , Lino Curbelo Rodríguez ** , Raúl Guevara Viera ** , Jorge Pereda Mouso * , Diego Mu- ñoz Cabrera * , Yorkis Tamayo Escobar * , Luis Ernesto Rivero Pérez * , Modesto Ponce Hernández * , Liubixa Ferreiro Cuza *** and Yuri Cabrera Socarrás * * Experimental Station for Pastures and Forrages of Camagüey, Jimaguayú, Camagüey, Cuba ** Center of Studies for Animal Production Development (CEDEPA), University of Camagüey, Cuba *** University of Jimaguayú, Camagüey, Cuba ABSTRACT A five-year study was carried out in the municipality of Jimaguayú, province of Camagüey, Cuba, to evaluate the agro productive performance of four grassy pastures (Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú, and Brachiaria hibrido cv. Mulato) without soil irrigation or fertiliza- tion. An experimental randomized block design with three replicas was used in 20 m 2 areas of brown soil without typical carbonates. Agamic propagation seeds were sown at a distance of 0.70 m between furrows while gamic propagation seeds were sown at a distance of 0.50 m. Dry matter yielding was determined for every cutting period (every 60 days during the rainy season and every 90 days during the dry season). Plant height was measured from the stem base to the highest foliage. A volume of 200 g of pastures was sampled twice a year to determine their broma- tological composition according to AOAC (1997). Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú showed the best agro produc- tive performance, with yieldings reaching 6.20 t/ha and 14.90 t/ha of dry matter during the dry and rainy seasons, re- spectively; and 12.26 % of dry protein. Key Words: grassy pastures, agroproductive performance, yield INTRODUCTION Forage production is the basis for ruminant nu- trition in most tropical areas (80-90 % of nutrients from pastures) (Pezo et al., 1992). It occurs be- cause pastures and forages are the most economi- cal solution to feed these species, and because these sources do not threaten man´s sources di- rectly, as pastures and forages are cultivated in low quality lands, not suitable for other crops. Recently, most tropical Latin-American coun- tries have undergone 50 % depletion of all pasture lands (Blanco, 1991; Botero, 1997, ICA, 2000). Consequently, a remarkable decrease in produc- tion and economic indicators has been observed. Considering the heterogeneity of livestock rais- ing worldwide, there is a need to create a broad range of species and varieties of pastures, in order to achieve high input conversion and long-life improved pasture land to compensate for invest- ments in sowing and further maintenance. Scien- tific institutions for rural extension and techno- logical transference are working in several regions of the world on breeding, introduction and evalua- tion of forage germplasm under several conditions where livestock is maintained, promising results in prairie improvements (Hutton, 1978; Harrison, 1986). The aim of this paper is to evaluate the agro productive behavior of four graminaceae pretense in the municipality of Jimaguayú. MATERIALS AND METHODS The work lasted five years (2003-2007) at the Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages of Camaguey, located in the most important cattle raising region in the country (EEPFIH, 1987), at 21° 17' 30'' northern latitude and 77° 47' 30'' western longitude, altitude was 118 meters above the sea level. Species like Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú, y Brachiaria híbrido cv. Mulato, on brown soil without the common carbonate, were studied (Table 1). An experimental design of randomized blocks was used with three replicas in 4 x 5 m lots. The soil was prepared with ploughs, a cross and two blades. Sowing was made in September 2002, at 0.70 and 0.50 m between furrows for agamic and gamic propagation plants, respectively. No irriga- tion or fertilization was applied. Cuts were done every 60 days in the rainy season, and 90 days in the dry season.