scholarly journals Sward Structure and Herbage Accumulation of Massai Guineagrass Pastures Managed According to Pre-Grazing Heights, in the Northeast of Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Virgínio Emerenciano Neto ◽  
Gelson Dos Santos Difante ◽  
Angela Maria Quintão Lana ◽  
Nathália Rafaela Fidelis Campos ◽  
Emmanuel Lievio de Lima Veras ◽  
...  

The forage sward height measurement is a practical and potential tool for grazing management. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the structure of pasture and forage accumulation related to sward pre-grazing height of Panicum maximum cv. Massai, before being grazed by sheep. The study was conducted in the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Macaíba, Brazil. The treatments were the pre-grazing sward heights at: 35, 40, 45 and 50 cm. The post-grazing height was 15 cm for all treatments. The interaction between the pre-grazing sward heights and grazing cycles was only statistically significant for light interception (LI) and leaf area index (LAI). The LI had linear and positive effect to the pre-grazing heights in only one of three grazing cycles, with approximately 1% increase in LI for each centimeter grown in the sward. The total forage mass had linear regression, every centimeter increased in height, there was a correspondent dry matter (DM) increase of 187 kg ha-1 in forage mass. There was a linear response between leaf blade mass and dead material with sward height. The post-grazing lowest LI was 29.42% at 42.05 cm high. The lowest amount of LI was 29.42% at 42.05 cm high. The minimum LAI was 0.69. The top DM and mineral matter (MM) accumulation rate were linear and had 58.32 and 20.46 kg ha-1 day-1 MS, respectively. Massai guineagrass grazed by sheep must be handled between 35 and 40 cm high at pre-grazing when associated with post-grazing height of 15 cm.

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helber Rodrigues Araujo ◽  
José Henrique de Albuquerque Rangel ◽  
Jailson Lara Fagundes ◽  
Evandro Neves Muniz ◽  
Daniel De Oliveira Santos ◽  
...  

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the dry matter production, total dry matter availability, daily dry matter accumulation rate, light interception, leaf area index, daily accumulation rate, dry matter availability of the morphological components (leaf blades, stems + sheaths and dead material), leaf/stem ratio, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre of Faixa-Brancagrass under seven defoliation frequencies (14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 days). Longer defoliation frequencies reduced the percentage of leaf blades and increased the percentage of stems + sheaths. The defoliation frequency positively influenced the availability of leaf blades, stems + sheaths, dead material and total dry matter. In the range of 42 days of defoliation, light interception reached 95%. At frequencies of 14 and 21 days of defoliation, the crude protein content of the leaves was above 20%. The highest utilization efficiency of D. umfolozi grass is achieved when the forage is managed with cutting intervals of 40 to 46 days. Higher defoliation frequencies positively contribute to the increase in the number of total white band grass leaves and higher crude protein content of the leaf blades and stems + sheaths.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-271
Author(s):  
Himangshu Das ◽  
Champak Kumar Kundu ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Sahuji Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Pintoo Bandopadhyay

There had been very less systemic study of forage crops in this part of the world. The information is scanty and not well documented. With these backgrounds, a field experiment was conducted during winter and summer season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 with three forage crops [Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum and Setaria anceps] and three mulching managements [no mulching, soil dust mulching and live mulching]. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Forage crop was assigned to the main plots and mulching to the subplots. The results revealed that superior growth attributes as well as highest green fodder yield (91.14 q ha-1 in winter and 307.20 q ha-1 in summer) and dry matter yield (26.27 q ha-1 in winter and 66.99 q ha-1 in summer) were obtained with forage crop Setaria anceps. Mulching influenced all growth parameters (plant height, leaf area index and crop growth rate) significantly and recorded highest with live mulching followed by soil dust and no mulching. Adoption of live mulching resulted in highest green fodder yield (94.17 q ha-1 in winter and 309.58 q ha-1 in summer) as well as highest dry matter yield (26.28 q ha-1 in winter and 71.93 q ha-1 in summer). The present experimental findings signify the importance of live mulching in improving growth attributes and yield of forage crops.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valéria Pacheco Batista Euclides ◽  
Flávia da Conceição Lopes ◽  
Domicio do Nascimento Junior ◽  
Sila Carneiro da Silva ◽  
Gelson dos Santos Difante ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate animal performance in Mombaça guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) pastures under intermittent grazing associated with two post-grazing heights (30 and 50 cm) and a pre-grazing height of 90 cm. A completely randomised block experimental design was employed, with two treatments and three replicates. The pastures were evaluated pre- and post-grazing grazing, to determine the herbage mass, percentage of leaf, stem and dead material and nutritive value. The stocking rate (expressed in animal unit, AU = 450 kg liveweight) was adjusted twice a week, and the animals were weighed every 28 days. The average grazing frequencies were 33 and 40 days, respectively, for 50 cm and 30 cm of residue pastures to reach the pre-grazing target (90 cm). The forage accumulation rate and pre-grazing herbage mass were similar for pastures with post-grazing heights of 30 and 50 cm. However, 50 cm of residue in the pasture resulted in greater pre-grazing leaf percentage and nutritive value and a lower percentage of dead material than did 30 cm of residue, and, consequently, a greater herbage intake (2.6 and 2.0 kg of dry matter/100 kg liveweight, respectively). The stocking rate was greater in the pastures with 30 cm of residue (6.7 AU/ ha) than in those with 50 cm (5.1 AU/ha). However, the average daily gain was greater for the 50-cm (655 g/steer.day) than for the 30-cm (390 g/steer.day) post-grazing height, resulting in a greater animal production of 1070 versus 635 kg/ha, respectively. Thus, under intermittent grazing, Mombaça guineagrass should be managed using a 50-cm post-grazing height.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 2503-2522
Author(s):  
Maria Catiane Silva Veloso Araújo ◽  
◽  
Eleuza Clarete Junqueira de Sales ◽  
Flávio Pinto Monção ◽  
Vicente Ribeiro Rocha Júnior ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two grazing management strategies on structural, productive and nutritional parameters of Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). A completely randomized block design with two pasture management strategies and eight replications (blocks) was used. The grazing management strategies were: (1) low intensity rotational grazing (LI), with a pre-grazing sward height of 40 cm and a post-grazing sward height of 24 cm, i.e., a defoliation intensity of 50%; (2) High intensity rotational grazing (HI), with a pre-grazing sward height of 40 cm and a post-grazing sward height of 10 cm (±70% defoliation intensity). Pastures were sampled before and after grazing for estimation of forage mass, forage accumulation rate, structural characteristics, nutritional value and dry matter intake.The LI strategy resulted in higher dry matter production than HI before (18.33%) and after grazing (49.06%), increasing pre-grazing forage density by 13.21% (P < 0.05). The production of potentially digestible dry matter was highest (P < 0.05) in LI strategy (21.3% before and 39.6% after grazing, respectively). Higher post-grazing green forage mass (45%) increased the residual crude protein in LI. The LI management strategy increased forage mass production and can be used in Marandu grass pastures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 4193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnos Fernando Ziech ◽  
Clair Jorge Olivo ◽  
Ana Regina Dahlem Ziech ◽  
Gilmar Roberto Meinerz ◽  
Alberto Luiz Gagstetter ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the development, the botanical and structural components of Coastcross-1 and Tifton 85 pastures mixed with increasing inclusion of forage peanut (0, 25, 50, 75% occupancy area), submitted to cuts, from August 2011 (planting of pastures) to April 2013 (last period of cut), totaling two years of study. The experimental design was factorial (three factors) distributed in randomized blocks, the factors were cultivars (two), the opportunities area for planting of forage peanut (four) and seasons that showed cuts, with three replications. It was evaluated the forage mass, dry matter accumulation rate, leaf:stem ratio, dead material, other species and forage peanut mass. The percentages of different implanted area with forage peanut did not affect the production parameters of pasture and structural composition of cultivars. The use of 75% of the area planted with forage peanut promoted share of close to 30% of the total mass of legumes. The leaf:stem ratio was higher for cv. Tifton 85 in daily average temperatures milder, in this situation, both cultivars decreased the forage rate accumulation. The increasing percentage of implanted area with forage peanut increased participation of legumes, decreasing the presence of dead material in the pasture, in the second year of evaluation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. J. Ru ◽  
J. A. Fortune ◽  
W. D. Bellotti

In winter and early spring in Mediterranean environments, animal production is often limited by the low herbage availability associated with low growth rates and short swards, which result in low intake. In the present study, 26 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars were evaluated for herbage availability early in the season. There were large variations in dry matter yield (0·3-0·7 g/plant), sward height (2·9-9·3 cm), and leaf area index (1·0-5·1) among cultivars after 70 days of growth, indicating a possibility for selection of cultivars based on these parameters. Increasing plant density from 460 to 4600 plants/m2 increased dry matter yield from 88·5 to 362·8 g/m2 and sward height from 2·6 to 8·3 cm at Day 60. Early sowing increased dry matter yield, sward height, petiole length, leaf number, and leaf size by 13, 6, 32, 10, and 23%, respectively, after 70 days of growth. These results indicate that new pastures should be established early if soil moisture is adequate, and that the time of the season break has an important influence on early growth of pastures and, consequently, on the budgeting of feed in farming practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleize Terra ◽  
Flávia Maria de Andrade Gimenes ◽  
Alessandra Aparecida Giacomini ◽  
Luciana Gerdes ◽  
Marisa Xavier Manço ◽  
...  

Changes in sward height of pastures managed by continuous grazing according to climatic seasonality may alter tillering and forage production. In order to evaluate the feasibility of seasonal alteration in sward height of Marandu palisade grass pastures (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) R.D. Webster; syn. Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) Stapf) under continuous grazing management, we studied two constant sward heights (15 cm and 30 cm), and one height that was initiated at 30 cm, reduced to 15 cm in June (dry and cold season) and returned to 30 cm in December (wet and hot season) (30–15–30 cm). Pastures managed at 30–15–30 cm had a greater tiller appearance rate (22 tillers/100 tillers.30 days) than those maintained at 15 cm and 30 cm (16 and 17 tillers/100 tillers.30 days, respectively). In the 30–15–30 cm pastures, a lower accumulation rate of dead material was observed during the dry and cold season (June–August), which resulted in a higher leaf and lower dead material accumulation rate during the second growth season (wet and hot season, December–January). Planned reduction in sward height during the cold season can be used safely because it permits better seasonal distribution and utilisation of forage production without compromising the stability of Marandu palisade grass pastures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Ricardo dos Santos Filho ◽  
Bráulio Maia de Lana Sousa ◽  
Jailson Lara Fagundes ◽  
Alfredo Acosta Backes ◽  
José William Teles Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and structural characteristics of Paiaguas palisadegrass established in monoculture and intercropped with agricultural crops in 2018 and 2019. The evaluated treatments were: Paiaguas palisadegrass (PP) in monoculture, PP intercropped with maize, PP intercropped with sorghum, and PP intercropped with soybean. The experimental design used was a randomized block, with 4 replications (plots of 160 m²). Sward height, tiller density, dry mass production, and bulk density of total dry matter, of leaves, of stems, and of dead material were evaluated. The data were analyzed using the Tukey test at 5% probability. The total dry mass was higher in intercropping than in monoculture. Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped with maize showed lower productions of total dry mass, leaf blade, and stems. The percentage of leaf blades was higher in Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped in 2018 and in monoculture and intercropped with maize and soybean in 2019. Higher percentages of stems were registered in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture in 2018 and in intercropping with sorghum in 2018 and 2019. In general, higher heights were found in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture and smaller when intercropped with maize. The highest tiller densities were observed in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture and the lowest in Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped with maize and sorghum. Intercropping with agricultural crops reduces the production of Paiaguas palisadegrass. The accompanying agricultural crops alter the composition of the forage produced by the Paiaguas palisadegrass.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilize Bittencourtt Caldas ◽  
Jéssica Pereira Diniz ◽  
Andrisley Joaquim da Silva ◽  
Simone Pereira da Silva Baio ◽  
Monica Cristina Rezende Zuffo Borges ◽  
...  

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for increasing the yield and quality of forages. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the different forms of application, spread on the total area using urea fertilizer and foliar using liquid urea, aiming at evaluating the yield and qualitative traits of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, at different times of the year. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks in subdivided plots, with three blocks, four treatments, and three collections. The treatments were applied in March 2015 and consisted of the following treatments: 1-control; 2-urea; 3-liquid urea; 4-urea + liquid urea; 5-urea + micronutrients; 6-urea + N liquid; 7-urea + N liquid + micronutrients; 8-control. Samples were collected in May, October, and December 2015. Crude protein (CP) dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MM), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were evaluated. Results revealed that nitrogen was determinant in improving the yield and forage quality. Treatments with urea spread on total area resulted in increased dry matter production. For the crude protein, the source and the application form are not decisive. Collection time with higher rainfall positively affected the dry matter production, crude protein, and ADF, while urea spread on total area showed the best cost-benefit due to the good results of yield and quality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 2749
Author(s):  
Vinicius Carreteiro Gomes ◽  
Juliana da Silva Barros ◽  
Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles ◽  
Ciniro Costa ◽  
Erikelly Aline Ribeiro de Santana ◽  
...  

The adaptation of Urochloa brizantha to Brazilian ecosystems and the use of artificial shading in low light production studies are important tools to obtain productive responses and to know the behavior of plants when used in integration with arboreal components. The experiment was conducted at the FMVZ - UNESP in Botucatu city, São Paulo state, Brazil. The study aimed to evaluate the yield of U. brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Xaraés (Xaraés palisade grass) under three light intensities and four cuts. The experimental design was a randomized block with three treatments (natural luminosity, 30% light reduction, and 60% light reduction), three replicates and four cuts. The following morphological components were determined: leaf area index (LAI), forage accumulation rate (FAR), total forage mass (TFM), stem yield (SY), leaf yield (LY), and dead material yield (DMY). Light intensity influenced grass productivity, and the best performance was reached under 60% shading, which had higher values of TFM, LY, SY, LAI, and FAR if compared to natural luminosity. Thus, a reduction of 60% in light intensity showed to be the most productive and the best alternative under those conditions.


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