Agronomic performance of maize and Brachiaria grasses cultivated at monocropping and intercropping in a compacted Latossolo

Obtaining adequate yields by intercropping maize and grasses in soils with poor physical quality is a challenge for managing crop-livestock systems in the Cerrado region. The aim of the present study was to verify the viability of maize in intercropping with Brachiaria grasses in the second crop season in a physically degraded Latossolo. The experiment was carried out in accordance with a split-plot completely randomized block design with four replications. Seven treatments (T) were evaluated in the plots: Brachiaria brizantha cv. Paiaguas (p), Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes (x), Brachiaria ruziziensis (r) and maize (m) as monocrops (Tp1, Tx1, Tr1 and Tm1) and maize in intercropping with each of the three Brachiaria species (Tp2, Tx2 and Tr2). Two grass management systems were evaluated in each subplot: with (M1) and without simulated grazing (M2) of the grasses. Soil physical quality was estimated by the least limiting water range of undisturbed soil samples collected at layers of 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m. Crop agronomic yield evaluations were carried out for maize, and both the forage biomass and mulch biomass of the grasses were evaluated. Water deficit during the reproductive crop phase and soil compaction explained the low productivity observed in the experiments. The replacement of the maize crops with pasture during the second crop season is indicated in physical degradation soil conditions. Use of the Brachiaria ruziziensis grass in the intercropping system under simulated pasture grazing resulted in a satisfactory forage yield in the off-season and was the best alternative for oversowing in the intercropping systems. Mulch biomass production in intercropping systems with simulated grazing did not reach adequate amounts for soil cover, and suppression of the last cut could potentially result in increased biomass accumulation and system viability. Overall, it is recommended that maize cultivation during the second crop season in Brazil be preceded by a soil compaction diagnosis.

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Produtividade e valor nutritivo de gramíneas tropicais em monocultivo e em consórcio com milho na segunda safra

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n6p2517 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 2517

Author(s):

Armindo Neivo Kichel ◽

Luis Carlos Ferreira de Souza ◽

Roberto Giolo de Almeida ◽

José Alexandre Agiova da Costa

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Panicum Maximum ◽

Forage Production ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Brachiaria Ruziziensis ◽

Randomized Block Design

This study aimed to assess productivity and nutritional value of the tropical grasses Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, Xaraés, and Marandu, Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, and B. ruziziensis cv. Kennedy in the interseason of an integrated crop-livestock (ICL) system since alternatives are needed for forage production for animal grazing in Autumn and Winter. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a split-split plot scheme with four replications. The treatments of plots consisted of five grasses, subplots consisted of three cropping systems (monoculture, intercropping with corn and unsuppressed grass, and intercropped with corn and suppressed grass), and sub-subplots consisted of four cutting intervals of grasses (50, 90, 125, and 195 days after emergence - DAE). The experiment was carried out from February to September 2014. Dry matter (DM) productivity, obtained at 195 DAE for the three cropping systems (monoculture grass, unsuppressed and suppressed grass in intercropping), were 18.45, 7.15, and 3.05 t ha?1, respectively, and average crude protein contents of leaf blades of grasses decreased linearly between the cutting intervals of 50 to 195 DAE from 19.95 to 9.70%, respectively. Under integrated systems, the studied grasses showed better yields and nutritional quality when compared to traditional grazing systems. Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés and Piatã had the highest leaf and crude protein yields when compared to Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Kennedy and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. In terms of nutritional value, Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Kennedy was superior to Mombaça and Xaraés grasses but had lower total dry matter yield. Finally, Xaraés, Piatã and Mombaça grasses are recommended choices ICL systems when fodder grass production is the goal.

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PHYSICAL QUALITY OF SOIL IN MECHANIZED THINNING OF Eucalyptus sp.

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v50i4.66186 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 1837

Author(s):

Francieli De Vargas ◽

Catize Brandelero ◽

Denise Andréia Szymczak ◽

Lúcio De Paula Amaral ◽

Mirta Teresinha Petry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Compaction ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Forest Operations ◽

Eucalyptus Saligna ◽

Undisturbed Soil ◽

Physical Quality ◽

Tukey Test ◽

Density Values ◽

Physical Attributes

The traffic of machines is the main cause of compaction of forest soils, causing soil deformations, due to the pressures exerted by the machines, both at the time of cutting and in the transshipment of wood. In this sense, this work had as objective to evaluate soil compaction, caused by the traffic of machines, in the mechanized thinning operation of Eucalyptus saligna Smith. This study was carried out in forest stands, in the municipality of Butiá, RS. Changes in soil physical properties were evaluated in three treatments: with no traffic; after cutting; and after wood transshipment. The forest inventory and collection of undisturbed soil samples were carried out to determine microporosity, macroporosity and bulk density. The experimental design was the completely randomized, in a bifactorial arrangement, with subdivided plots. For the comparison of the physical attributes, the Tukey test (p≤0.05) of significance was used. The results evidenced increase in soil density values, mainly in the treatment after transshipment and decrease in macropores, with values close to and below the limit considerable as detrimental to the development of the plants. The knowledge of soil deformations caused by forest operations contributes to the improvement of future processes aiming to guide the physical quality of the soil, in order to offer beneficial conditions to the growth of the plants.

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Yield performance of apple rootstocks of the Geneva series on replanting soil

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2018000800007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 924-933

Author(s):

Frederico Denardi ◽

Marcus Vinícius Kvitschal ◽

Maraisa Crestani Hawerroth

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Apple Rootstocks ◽

Crop Season ◽

Yield Performance ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Lower Ability ◽

Agronomic Potential

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify rootstocks with competitive agronomic potential to substitute those currently used in Southern Brazil for the Galaxy and Fuji Suprema apple scion cultivars cultivated on replanting soils. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Lebon Regis, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the 2009/2010 to the 2014/2015 crop season, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The yield performance of the 'Galaxy' and 'Fuji Suprema' scions grafted on the G.056, G.202, G.213, G.814, G.896, G.969, M.9, and Marubakaido/M.9 rootstocks was evaluated. G.896 and G.814 stood out due to their superior annual and cumulative fruit yields, as well as to their greater yield regularity, although they showed lower ability of dwarfing the scion. The greatest average fruit weight of 'Galaxy' was obtained on G.056 and G.213. For 'Fuji Suprema', G.969 promoted smaller fruits, whereas the other rootstocks did not differ. All the evaluated rootstocks produced less suckers than Marubakaido/M.9 and less burrknots than M.9 and Marubakaido/M.9. In general, on replanting soil conditions, G.202 is promising among dwarfing rootstocks, mainly for 'Fuji Suprema'. G.056, G.814, and G.896 also stand out, and the two first are more specific for 'Fuji Suprema'.

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Influence of Cultural Management on Compaction of a Cerrado Latosol

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2019/v38i130293 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Matheus Azevedo Dos Santos ◽

Aloisio Bianchini ◽

Pedro Silvério Xavier Pereira ◽

Rodrigo Fernandes Daros ◽

Matheus Santos de Deus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Technological Development ◽

Block Design ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Soil Density ◽

Cultural Management ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

The One ◽

Alternative Practices

Soil compaction is a process that negatively affects the availability of water and nutrients to plants. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate alternative practices of cultural management in order to reduce soil compaction. The experimental area is located in the Foundation for Research and Technological Development Rio Verde, where 13 treatments were installed with different systems of cultural management, all rotated with soy. A randomized complete block design (DBC) was used for this experiment, with three blocks (one repetition per block), thirteen treatments and two depths of soil (0-10 cm and 10-20 cm). Physical analyzes were soil resistance to penetration, soil density, and soil moisture at the time of collection. The treatment in which the soil was stirred during the fallow period was the one that presented the lowest resistance of the soil to penetration, followed by the treatment where a mixture of cover crops was used in the second harvest, and the treatment where soybean was harvested and brachiaria in the second crop, using corn with brachiaria every two years, was the one that presented lower soil density, followed by the treatment with stirring during fallow season. Planting areas with a greater diversity of rotating plants presented as a good proposal of soil management, as they provide ideal soil conditions for the crop and for the use of rainwater or irrigation.

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A Case Study for Evaluation of GUTD on Soil Compaction and Tractor Performance

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v8n2p130 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 130

Author(s):

Saadat Kamgar ◽

Ehsan Savand Roomi

Keyword(s):

Fuel Consumption ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Block Design ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Wheel Slip ◽

Wheel Drive ◽

Wide Range ◽

Before And After ◽

Loam Soil ◽

All Speeds

Machinery traffic on farm and forest caused to problems in environment and economics by Fossil fuel consumption and soil compaction. According to result of investigation, The GUTD (Gear Up and Throttle Down) method was recommended to decrease fuel consumption. But the wide range of machinery applications, soil conditions and experience of drivers or operators need to have index for ensuring the GUTD method is carried out properly. The purpose of this study was evaluation of GUTD method using MF 399 tractor on instantaneous fuel consumption and soil compaction. The tractor was equipped by sensors, a designed electronic circuit and a computer to measure and record parameters such as fuel consumption, forward speed and wheel slip. This field examination was carried out on tilled land with clay-loam soil and then data were analyzed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Considered factors were included four speed levels (1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8 km h-1), three levels of gear (first, second and third) and two levels of wheel drive (2WD and 4WD). Parameters of cone index and bulk density were used to determine soil compaction.Variations in compaction of before and after tractor passage were calculated in each plot. Statistical analysis in each speed showed that factor of gear in variations of soil compaction was significant at all speeds except 12.8 km h-1 and instantaneous fuel consumption was reduced by GUTD at each of constant speed except the mentioned speed. This research showed that instantaneous fuel consumption can be considered as appropriate index for selecting the best gear and speed in terms of fuel consumption and soil compaction.

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The effect of grazing duration on forage quality and production of meadow foxtail

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps06022 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (1) ◽

pp. 85-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jess J. Wenick ◽

Tony Svejcar ◽

Raymond Angell

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Ground Level ◽

Growing Season ◽

Early Spring ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Grass Species ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Randomized Block Design

For the past 50 yr, meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis L.) has been invading native flood meadows throughout the Harney Basin in southeastern Oregon. The expansion of this grass species has been the result of its broad climatic adaptation and ability to withstand drought while thriving in saturated soil conditions for a large part of the growing season. The growth of meadow foxtail starts as soon as adequate soil moisture exists. Managing this early-maturing hay species can prove to be a challenge because soil saturation and elevated water tables make it difficult to harvest hay when forage quality and yield are maximized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether planned grazing would retard maturation and thus prolong forage quality. Treatments included a non-grazed control and grazing durations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk. Grazing was initiated in May of 1998 and 1999 on six replications of each treatment arranged in a randomized block design. Within each treatment/replication combination, ten 0.2-m2 plots were clipped to ground level at about 2-wk intervals from May to August. The samples were weighed and dried for standing crop estimation and 4 of the 10 samples were selected at random and analyzed for acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP). We found that early spring grazing decreased forage yield significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Grazing tended to slow the seasonal decline in CP. The effects of grazing on the forage fiber components, however, were inconsistent. The relatively small increase in forage quality does not appear to compensate for the large decline in hay yield (a 40% decline in the shortest grazing duration treatment). We recommend that unfertilized meadow foxtail pastures be used for either haying or grazing, but not both in a given growing season. Key words: Grazing, beef cattle, regrowth, forage yield

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Evaluation of Seven Forage Grasses at Two Cutting Stages

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v57i3.10741 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 173-185

Author(s):

A. Sotomayor Ríos ◽

A. Acosta Matienzo ◽

J. Vélez Fortuño

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Forage Grasses ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Second Best ◽

Brachiaria Ruziziensis ◽

Digitaria Decumbens ◽

Cynodon Nlemfuensis ◽

Forage Yields

Seven forage grasses, i.e., Tanner (Brachiaria cf. mutica), a bermuda grass selection (Cynodon dactylon var. coursii), glabrous Signal (Brachiaria brizantha), Signal (Brachiaria brizantha), Congo (Brachiaria ruziziensis), Star (Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis) and Pangola (Digitaria decumbens) were cut at a 60-day harvest interval and at the optimum stage for harvest during a 2-year period at the Gurabo Substation. It was considered that plants had reached the optimum stage for harvest when flowering and yellowing of leaves at the basal parts of the plant began to appear and the grasses had attained a reasonable forage volume as compared to adjacent plots harvested every 60 days. At the 60-day harvest interval, the top yielder was the glabrous Signal; this grass produced 72.78, 19.85 and 1.40 tons of total green, dry forage, and crude protein per acre per year, respectively. Signalgrass was second best with 69.93,16.87 and 1.20 tons of green, dry forage and crude protein per acre per year, respectively. At the optimum stage for harvest, the top yielder in terms of total green forage per acre per year was Congograss with 70.40 tons. The best dry forage and crude protein yielder was glabrous Signal with 18.84 and 1.54 tons per acre per year, respectively. Pangolagrass was second best in terms of total green and dry forage per acre per year with 69.90 and 17.30 tons, respectively. The green forage yields of the grasses studied, except Tannergrass, were similar when cut at the 60-day harvest interval as compared to the optimum stage for harvest. The annual dry forage yield also was similar at the two cutting stages, except Tannergrass and C. dactylon var. coursii. Significantly higher protein yields were obtained at the optimum stage for harvest in all forages with the exception of Signalgrass. Glabrous Signal (Brachiaria brizantha), USDA PI 255346, was the top dry forage yielder of the seven grasses studied. This grass produced about 20 tons of dry forage (73 tons of green forage) containing 7.1 percent of protein and about 19 tons of dry forage (69 tons of green forage) containing 8.2 percent of protein, at the 60-day harvest interval and at the optimum stage for harvest, respectively.

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Soil compaction affects the silage quality of sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) grown on a Latosol in the Brazilian savanna

Australian Journal of Crop Science ◽

10.21475/ajcs.20.14.07.p2294 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1121-1130

Author(s):

Adalto José de Souza Linhares ◽

Wainer Gomes Gonçalves ◽

Savio Menezes Cabral ◽

Marlete Ferreira de Brito ◽

Eduardo Valcacer Brandstetter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Compaction ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Block Design ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Crop Fields ◽

Nutritional Characteristics ◽

Density Values

On the basis of the natural seasonality of pastures during the dry season, preservation of forage, especially silage, is necessary. However, the effects of soil compaction within sunflower and grass crop fields on the nutritional quality of the silage produced are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation and nutritional quality characteristics of sunflower silage under both monocropping and intercropping systems [with Paiaguas palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha)] under various degrees of soil compaction. A split-plot randomized complete block design was adopted. In the main plots, the treatments were bulk density values affected by the following traffic intensities: 0, 2, 10 or 30 passes of a tractor with tire wheels weighing 4.9 Mg. The subplots involved forage systems composed of sunflower as a monocrop or intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass. The fermentation, nutritional characteristics and in vitro digestibility of the silage were evaluated. Under the various aforementioned conditions, the agronomic characteristics of the forage were affected by increased soil compaction, resulting in changes in the fermentation and nutritional characteristics of the silage. The results showed that intercropping with Paiaguas palisadegrass and adequate proportions of sunflower allow good fermentation. This study recommends the adoption of practices that mitigate soil compaction and intercropping because of the increased forage productivity and the possibility of indirect renewal of the pasture.

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Plant Spacing and Variety of Field Corn (Zea mays L.) Affecting Yield, Yield Components and Silage Quality

Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST) ◽

10.48048/wjst.2021.9038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Nattarat CHAYANONT ◽

Sujin JENWEERAWAT ◽

Jiraporn CHAUGOOL ◽

Sayan TUDSRI ◽

Tanapon CHAISAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Crop Management ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Field Corn ◽

Silage Quality ◽

Stalk Yield

The recent increase in dairy and cattle production in Thailand has increased demand for high-quality roughage, particularly corn silage. Although there has been a great deal of research on field corn, far fewer studies have focused on corn intended as silage. This study involved a field experiment that analyzed crop management methods, focusing on plant spacing and 8 of the field corn varieties most commonly used in Thailand. The objectives were to determine which plant spacing and variety produced the best forage yield and silage qualities of corn silage. The plantings were arranged in a split-plot Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The main plot contained two spacing (75×20 and 75×25 cm2), each with subplots of 8 field corn varieties (SW5, NS2, NS3, NSX982013, TE1719, WS6437, WS6440, WS6442). All plants received the same crop management care regarding soil conditions, water, fertilization, and weeding. The results showed plant spacing did not significantly affect plant height (cm) and ears per plant, but the narrower 75×20 cm2 spacing produced the highest fresh leaf yield (13 t ha-1) and dry stalk yield (4.5 t ha-1) (p < 0.05). At 75×20 cm2 spacing, the TE1719 varietal had more ears per plant than SW5 (the check variety). TE1719 had the best fresh ear, stalk, and total biomass yield at both spacing of all the varieties. With regard to silage quality, the plant spacing did not significantly affect the CP, ADF, ADL, ash, and pH of the corn silage. The study revealed planting TE1719 varieties at 75×20 cm2 spacing is more economical for farmers because it increases forage yields without negatively affecting the nutritional value of corn silage.

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Forage Performance of Corn Hybrids and Their Varieties

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2019/v33i130129 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Moisés T. da Silva ◽

Paulo V. Ferreira ◽

Rosa C. Lira ◽

Gilson M. Filho ◽

João V. S. Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Experimental Plot ◽

Forage Production ◽

Border Effect ◽

Corn Hybrids ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Maize Genotypes ◽

Fodder Production

The present study had as objective to evaluate the performance of maize hybrids and yours varieties for forage production in the climate and soil conditions of the forest area in the state of Alagoas. In conducting the experiment it was adopted the randomized block design, with 12 treatments (maize genotypes) and three replicates, totaling 36 experimental plot. Each experimental plot consisted of four rows of 5 meters in length, two lateral queues were discarded due to the border effect. For planting, the spacing of 0,7 m x 0,143 m was used, totalizing a final stand of 100,000 plants per hectare after thinning. At 93 days after sowing, the evaluations were carried out regarding the plants biometrics, and forage yield. Considering the conditions under which the experiment was developed, it can be concluded that: (a) The genotypes Jabotão, Branca, Branquinha and their experimental hybrids showed the highest plant height; (b) The experimental hybrid Janor presented the best culm/ear; (c) The Jabra and Branquinha genotypes are the best performance for forage yield (d) The Jabra experimental hybrid showed excellent forage aptitude, which makes it a promising material, which can be evaluated in other regions in the future and later launched as a genotype for fodder production.

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