RESUMO A adaptação edafoclimática das variedades e/ou clones de cana-de-açúcar pode garantir maior produtividade de forragem para a alimentação animal. Para tanto, foi elaborado um experimento no campus de Seropédica da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, para avaliação de duas variedades (RB867515 e RB969017) e dois clones (RB058046 e RB098022) de cana-de-açúcar, sob um delineamento de blocos casualizados, com sete repetições. Foram avaliadas variáveis biométricas, perfilhos m-1, índice de área foliar (IAF), Grau Brix e índice de maturação (IM), além das produtividades de forragem e total durante o cultivo do ciclo de cana-planta. O plantio foi realizado em 08/10/2018 e a colheita em 13/09/2019, aos 323 dias após plantio (DAP). Os dados foram analisados pelo software R, sob blocos ao acaso, e medidas repetidas no tempo para as variáveis biométricas, perfilhos m-1, IAF, Grau Brix e IM. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey (p < 0,10). O clone RB098022 apresentou 20,2% mais perfilhos m-1 que ambas as variedades. Aos 296 DAP ambos os clones e a variedade RB969017 apresentaram IM maiores que 0,85, caracterizando-os como de ciclo mais precoce do que a variedade RB867515 (IM = 0,91 aos 323 DAP). Maiores produtividades e semelhantes de forragem e total foram verificadas para o clone RB098022 e a variedade RB867515 (médias de 141,6 e 151,2 Mg ha-1, respectivamente). Todos os materiais genéticos se adaptaram às condições edafoclimáticas durante o cultivo decana-planta, sendo recomendado a utilização do clone RB098022 e da variedade RB867515 para a alimentação animal na região da Baixada Fluminense. Todos os materiais genéticos se adaptaram às condições edafoclimáticas durante o cultivo decana-planta, sendo recomendado a utilização do clone RB098022 e da variedade RB867515 para a alimentação animal na região da Baixada Fluminense.

ABSTRACT The edaphoclimatic adaptation of sugarcane varieties and clones can ensure higher forage productivity for animal feed. An experiment was conducted at the Seropédica campus of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro for the evaluation of two varieties (RB867515 and RB969017) and two clones (RB058046 and RB098022) of sugarcane under a randomized block design with seven replications. Biometric variables, tillers m-1, leaf area index (LAI), Brix degree, maturation index (MI), as well as forage and total yields, were evaluated during the cultivation of the sugarcane-plant cycle. Sugarcanes were planted on 10/08/2018 and harvested on 09/13/2019, totaling 323 days after planting (DAP). The data were analyzed using the R software, under randomized blocks and repeated measurements in time for biometric variables, tillers m-1, LAI, Brix Degree and MI. Means were compared using the Tukey test (p < 0.10). Clone RB098022 presented 20.2% more tillers m-1 than both the other varieties. At 296 DAP, both clones and the variety RB969017 presented MI higher than 0.85, indicating them as an earlier cycle than the variety RB867515 (MI = 0.91 to 323 DAP). Higher and similar forage and total yields were obtained with clone RB098022 and variety RB867515 (means 141.6 and 151.2 Mg ha-1, respectively). All sugarcanes adapted to edaphoclimatic conditions during plant cane cultivation, and it is recommended to use the clone RB098022 and the variety RB867515 for animal feed in the Baixada Fluminense region.

ABSTRACT: The use of supplements eliminates deficiencies imposed by pasture, increases weight gain in animals and maximizes profits from the activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass traits and meat quality of steers in grazing systems that received or did not receive a protein energy supplement at the level of 0.6 % body weight. The experiment lasted 160 days and included 36 Brangus × Zebu animals. Eighteen animals received supplementation and another eighteen did not receive supplementation. Carcasses were evaluated for yield, loin eye area, fat thickness and length. The assessment of meat quality evaluated the shear force, myofibril fragmentation index, color, exudative losses and collagen. The carcass traits of the supplemented animals showed higher values (p < 0.0001). Supplementation improved the color of the meat (p = 0.0434) and increased the amount of soluble collagen (p = 0.0456). The use of a protein energy supplement for steers in a pasture system increased the efficiency of muscle deposition of these animals and improved meat quality when compared to animals that were not supplemented.