The objective of this research was to evaluate dry matter yield, in vitro digestibility, fiber protein and mineral composition of bahiagrass (paspalum notatum) `Tifton 9' clipped at six regrowth stages (20, 27, 34, 41, 48 and 55 days after staging). The experimental design consisted of randomized complete blocks with six trataments (ages) and four replications. Dry matter yield ranged from 188 to 593 g m-2, with the cubic regression having the best fit (P< 0.05). Concentration of acid detergent fiber, lignin, and crude protein decreased linearly (P<0.01), (P<0.10), (P<0.05) respectively from 387.73 to 370.04, 37.56 to 26.67, 121.33 to 68.88 g kg-1, as well as phosphorus concentration that attained, 1.92 g kg-1 55 days. Neutral detergent fiber concentration, in vitro digestibility at potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur were not affected (P>0.05) by regrowth age. Among the micronutrients, concentration of iron and manganese remained unchanged (P>0.05) during the period, whereas copper levels declined linearly and zinc levels decreased quadratically (P<0.01). Dry matter yield, digestibility and concentration of fiber components and minerals presented values similar to other tropical forages, wereas crude protein remained above 70 g kg-1, only up to the 48th day, according to the regression model.
Tifton 9; Paspalum notatum; forages; chemical composition