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Abstract

Rhizoma perennial peanut (RPP) is a perennial relative of the commercial peanut (A. hypooea) that is planted and perennates by means of rhizomes. Two cultivars,'Florigraze' and 'Arbrook', have been released by the University of Florida for use as a forage for well-drained soils of the tropics and subtropics. In clipping trials, dry matter (DM) production has ranged between 6 to 12 Mg ha-1. Forage quality is similar to alfalfa, with the whole plant crude protein (CP) between 12 to 18% and digestibility between 60 to 75%. Animal performance on RPP pastures (.9 to 1.0 kg d ) has been superior to that from most N-fertilized tropical grasses. Rhizoma perennial peanut persists well under a wide range of management systems for both hay production and grazing (rotational and continuous). Feeding trials and grazing studies indicated that RPP is suitable for dairy rations, backgrounding systems, creep grazing calves, and as limit-fed protein supplement.

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