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Milk production in response to fertilization and irrigation in andean ecosystem farms in Ecuador

Abstract:

In order to evaluate the effect of fertilizer and irrigation applications on milk production in Andean farms in Ecuador, a study was carried out on 535 farms with an altitude of 2550 m and temperatures between 7 and 25 ° C in montane ecosystems (Montano, Montano Alto and Montano Low). Factors such as fertilization and irrigation and the production of milk with a botanical composition of Ryegrass - Kikuyo as grasses and Clover White and Red as legumes were considered. The milk production was taken from the records corresponding to the day after the occupation of the paddock. A simple ADEVA was applied within each ecosystem. The dry matter availability of the grass was between 1.65 t / ha in Montano Bajo and 2.81 t / ha in Montano Alto. There were significant differences (P <0.05) in milk yields in Montano and Montano Alto with fertilized pastures (6.5 and 9.7 kg / cow) compared to lower values in non - fertilized. In relation to irrigation effects, significant differences (P <0.05) were in favor of sprinkler irrigation in Montano and Montano Alto with 8.7 and 10.8 kg / cow and higher values in production / ha. It was concluded that the responses in milk yield to fertilizer and sprinkler irrigation were significant (P <0.05) in the Montano and Montano Alto ecosystems compared to Low Montano, with values between 6,5 and 8,7 and 9,7 and 10, 8 kg / cow / day and higher yields per area, explained by the greater availability of dry matter of the pasture in both ecosystems as an effect of applied agro-technical activities.