Recursos alimentares para suínos localmente adaptados criados extensivamente na baixada maranhense: botânica, composição química e disponibilidade

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the main sources of food resources used by native pigs, which were extensively grown in the municipalities of São Bento and Bacurituba, in the state of Baixada Maranhense, including botanical identification, analysis of chemical composition and availability of these resources according to the seasons . The study lasted twelve months. During this period, the forage resources of importance for pig feed were collected, which were transported respectively to the Animal Nutrition and Botany Laboratories of the State University of Maranhão - UEMA, where they were processed for chemical analysis and botanical identification. The bromatological composition was determined by the Weende Analysis System for the contents of Dry Matter (DM), Organic Matter (OM); Mineral Material (MM), Crude Protein (PB), Acid Detergent Fiber (FDA), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). The levels of calcium (Ca) were obtained by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Flame technique, while phosphorus (P) levels were extracted by the Titration Phosphates technique (IAL, 2008). The botanical identification of the plant material (leaves, flowers and fruits) was performed by means of specific analytical keys. Nine plant species of importance for pig feeding were identified. Five species occur in the dry period: Leaf of the Field (Thalia geniculata), Reed Reed (Cyperus giganteus), Reed Reed (Cyperus articulatus), Reed of Three Quinas (Eleocharis ancutangula), Vaca Gut (Neptunia plena) in the rainy season: Aguita de Leite (Sagittaria guyanensis), Purple Aguapé (Nymphaea amazonum), Onion (Pontederia cordata), Native Rice (Echinochloa colona). Bromatological analyzes indicated that the available food resources for locally adapted pigs farmed in the municipalities of São Bento and Bacurituba presented nutritional values lower than the levels of requirements for the species due to the high fiber content and low levels of protein (Rostagno et. 2005). The food resources that constitute the basic diet of the pigs locally adapted to the model of breeding practiced in the natural fields of the Baixada Maranhense, constitute only as maintenance foods, not supplying the requirements of the animals in the different phases of the breeding cycle.