Production and quality of sorghum silage intercropped with marandu grass and pigeonpea / Produção e qualidade de silagem de sorgo consorciado com capim marandu e feijão guandu

Lack of forage in the winter dry season is a concern for cattle production in tropical Brazil. Pasture renovation with silage production might solve an immediate concern for forage production and help develop an improved pasture condition after cropping. The present study was focused to compare the production and quality of monocropped sorghum and sorghum intercropped with Marandu grass and/or pigeonpea in two row spacings. The experiment was carried out on a sandy Oxisol in São Paulo state in Brazil with an experimental design of a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement with four replications. Treatments were: monocropped sorghum,sorghum intercropped with Urochloa brizantha, sorghum intercropped with Cajanus cajan(cv. BRS Mandarim), and sorghum intercropped with Urochloa+ pigeonpea with 0.45 and 0.90 m row spacings. Greatest forage production was with 0.45-m spacing for monocropped sorghum and dual-species intercropping. With 0.90-m spacing, greatest production was for Sorghum+Urochloa. Sorghum+Urochloa+Cajanusintercropping provided the highest concentrations of crude protein in silage, regardless of row spacing. An increase in ensiling time reduced quality of the silage due to a decline in crude protein and TDN and an increase in fibers. However, the reduced spacing between lines with the inclusion of legumes resulted in a greater amount of silage with a higher concentration of protein.(AU)

A falta de forragem na estação seca é uma preocupação para os produtores de carne bovina no Brasil. A renovação de pastagens com produção de silagem pode se constituir emuma alternativa para a produção de alimento para o período seco do ano e, ao mesmo tempo, porporcionar a formação de pastagem de melhorar qualidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar a produção e a qualidade da silage de sorgo em monocultivo e consorciado com capim-marandu e/ou feijão-guandu em dois espaçamentos entre linhas. O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo arenoso no estado de São Paulo com delineamento experimental em arranjo fatorial 2 x 4, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: sorgo em monocultivo, sorgo consorciado com Urochloa brizantha, sorgo consorciado com Cajanus cajan(cv. BRS Mandarim) e sorgo consorciadocom U. brizantha +C. cajancom espaçamento de 0,45 e 0,90 m. A maior produção de forragem foi obtida com espaçamento de 0,45 m para sorgo monocultivo eno consórico de duas espécies. Com espaçamento de 0,90 m, a maior produção foi para sorgo+U. brizantha. O consórcio sorgoU. brizantha+C. cajanproporcionou as maiores concentrações de proteína bruta na silagem, independentemente do espaçamento entre linhas. O aumento do tempo de ensilagem reduziu a qualidade da silagem devido à queda de proteína bruta e NDT e aumento de fibras. Oespaçamento reduzido entre linhas,com a inclusão de leguminosas resultou em maior quantidade de silage,e maior concentração de proteína.(AU)

Methods for estimating forage mass in marandu palisade grass canopies / Métodos para a estimativa da massa de forragem em dosséis de capim-marandu

This study compared three methods for estimating forage mass and its morphological components in canopies of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (marandu palisadegrass). Two experiments were carried out, the fi rst simulating deferment and the second, continuous stocking. In the fi rst experiment, three methods for estimating forage mass (square, row, and tiller methods) were evaluated in different canopies with three initial heights (15, 30, and 45 cm). In the second experiment, two methods for estimating forage mass (square and tiller methods) were evaluated in canopies with three average heights (15, 30, and 45 cm) in summer. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, in a split-plot scheme, with four replications. The plots were canopy heights and the subplots, the forage mass estimation methods. In general, taller canopies have greater forage mass. The tiller method resulted in lower total forage and senescent forage masses than the other methods. The tiller method underestimates total forage and senescent forage masses. The square and line methods are suitable to estimate the pasture total and senescent forage masses.(AU)

Este estudo comparou três métodos para a estimativa das massas de forragem e dos seus componentes morfológicos em dosséis de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (capim-marandu). Dois experimentos foram realizados, sendo o primeiro simulando o diferimento e o segundo, a lotação contínua. No primeiro experimento, foram avaliados três métodos para estimativa de massa de forragem (métodos do quadrado, da linha e do perfilho) em dosséis diferidos com três alturas iniciais (15, 30 e 45 cm). No segundo experimento, foram avaliados dois métodos para estimativa de massa de forragem (métodos do quadrado e do perfilho) em dosséis com três alturas médias (15, 30 e 45 cm) no verão. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram as alturas dos dosséis e as subparcela, os métodos de estimativa da massa de forragem. Em geral, os dosséis mais altos apresentam maior massa de forragem. O método do perfilho resultou em massas de forragem total e de forragem senescente inferiores ao demais métodos. O método do perfilho subestima as massas de forragem total e de forragem senescente. Para estimar as massas de forragem total e de forragem senescente do pasto, os métodos do quadrado e da linha são adequados.(AU)

Morpho-physiological and anatomical characteristics of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in silvopastoral and monoculture systems

To gain insights into the forage morphological and anatomical characteristics in a silvopastoral system (SPS) with Bolsa de Pastor (Zeyheria tuberculosa) and palisadegrass 'Marandu' (Urochloa brizantha) monoculture (MONO). The SPS was established through natural regeneration of the tree species. Treatments were a SPS and MONO distributed in a completely randomized design with six replicates and repeated measures were the harvest periods. Response variables were morpho-physiological and anatomical characteristicss: green: dead material ratio, leaf blade: stem+sheath ratio, leaf area index, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, proportions of non-lignified and achlorophyllous areas, lignified areas in stems, proportions of non-lignified and achlorophyllous areas, lignified and chlorophyllous areas in leaves, as well as cell length in longitudinal section of stem. Morpho-physiological patterns were altered (p < 0.05) under natural shading conditions due to higher photosynthetic efficiency in the SPS. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of the systems on anatomical patterns, proportions of non-lignified and achlorophyllous, lignified and chlorophyllous tissues, these proportions were influenced only by the periods of the year, both for stems and leaves. Cells of the internodes of the grasses of the studied systems had the same length. The SPS alters morpho-physiological characteristics of palisadegrass and increases the concentration of chlorophyll a and b.(AU)

The economic value of sustainability of the integrated crop-livestock system in relation to conventional systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of improving the economic value of integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) compared to conventional systems specialized in monoculture. The experimental area was 16.02 ha, divided into 18 paddocks of 0.89 ha each, organized in a randomized block design, with three replicates and six models of production systems: crop system [corn ( Zea mays ) grain production], livestock system (beef cattle under grazing conditions), and four ICLS, identified as: ICLS-1, corn integrated with Marandu palisadegrass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hoechst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu] sown simultaneously without herbicide; ICLS-2, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously with herbicide; ICLS-3, corn and Marandu palisadegrass with lagged sowing; and ICLS-4, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously, with herbicide in rows and between-rows of corn. We demonstrated the economic impact analysis combined with the risk optimization and discounted cash flow techniques based on Monte Carlo simulation, considering price and productivity uncertainties. The indicators of added value and return on investment of ICLS had an economic advantage compared with conventional systems. It was also found that ICLS needed a smaller operational area than conventional systems for the economic break-even point. Integrated systems provide lower financial and operational risk levels and greater economic value per hectare compared with conventional systems specialized in monoculture.(AU)

Forage production, morphogenetic and structural components, and nutritional value of tropical grasses in the semiarid condition / Produção de forragem, componentes morfogênicos e estruturais e valor nutricional de gramíneas tropicais em condição semiárida

The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage mass, morphogenetic and structural characteristics, and nutritional value of tropical forage grasses in semiarid conditions. Nine grasses were evaluated, namely, three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, MG4, and Piatã); Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk; Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy; and three cultivars of Megathyrsus maximum (Massai, Mombaça, and Tanzania). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement in which the main factor were the grass cultivars and the secondary factor the seasons, with five replications per treatment. The statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment (grass), whereas the season was included as a random effect within treatments. Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, and Piatã and Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk produced on average 858 kg ha-1 more forage mass than cvs. Kennedy and Basilisk. Megathyrsus maximum cv. Mombaça produced 40% more forage mass than the other cultivars of M. maximum (4205 vs. 3001 kg ha-1). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the lowest water use efficiency (36%). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy exhibited the lowest leaf weight among the Urochloa cultivars (740 vs. 1319 kg ha-1). There was no treatment effect for leaf weight in the M. maximum cultivars. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the highest values of total digestible nutrients and dry matter digestibility (1.84 and 2.34%, respectively) among the other Urochloa cultivars. The M. maximum cultivars showed little differences in nutritional values. Cultivars Marandu, Piatã, and Massai exhibited better productive responses in the edaphoclimatic conditions of this study. However, future studies must be conducted evaluating the adaptation of the forage grass under semiarid conditions. Considering the settings of this study, the grasses Urochloa brizantha cvs. MG4, Marandu, and Piatã, as well as Megathyrsus maximum cvs. Massai and Mombaça, can be used in the semiarid condition.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produtividade, características morfogênicas e estruturais e valor nutritivo de gramíneas forrageiras tropicais em condições semiáridas. Nove gramíneas foram avaliadas: Três cultivares de Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, MG4 e Piatã), Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero, Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy e três cultivares de Megathyrsus maximum (Massai, capim-Mombaça e Tanzânia). O experimento foi conduzido em blocos completos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas com o fator principal (cultivar) e o fator secundário (estação) com cinco repetições por tratamento. O modelo estatístico incluiu o efeito fixo de tratamento (cultivar), e a estação do ano foi incluída como efeito aleatório dentro do tratamento. Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, MG4 e Piatã e Urochloa decumbens cv Basilisk produziram em média 858 kg ha-1 de massa de forragem a mais que a cv. Kennedy e Llanero. Megathyrsus cv. Mombaça produziu 40% (4205 vs. 3001 kg ha-1) a mais de massa de forragem do que as demais cultivares de Megathyrsus maximum. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy apresentou a menor (36%) eficiência no uso da água (EUA). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy produziu menor quantidade de folhas (740 vs. 1319 kg ha-1) para as demais cultivares de Urochloa. Não houve efeito do tratamento na produtividade de folhas para as cultivares Megathyrsus maximum. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy apresentou os maiores valores de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e digestibilidade da matéria seca (DMS) (+1,84 e 2,34%, respectivamente) em relação à outra cultivar de Urochloa. As cultivares Megathyrsus maximum tiveram pouco efeito sobre os valores nutritivos. As cultivares Marandu, Piatã e Massai apresentaram melhores respostas produtivas nas condições edafoclimáticas deste estudo. No entanto, estudos futuros devem ser realizados avaliando a adaptação da forrageira em condições semiáridas. Nesta condição de estudo, as gramíneas Urochloa brizantha cv. MG4, Marandu e Piatã, assim como o Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai e Mombaça podem ser usados em condições semiáridas.

Forage performance and cattle production as a function of the seasonality of a Brazilian tropical region / Forage performance and cattle production as a function of the seasonality of a Brazilian tropical region

This study aimed to evaluate forage yield, tiller population density, canopy height, nutritional value as well as cattle performance in alternate stocking from three tropical forage cultivars. The experiment followed a randomized block design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Three forage cultivars (Marandu, Massai and Xaraés) distributed in nine hectares were evaluated in three dry season periods (transition wet/dry, dry, and end of dry season), with repeated measures over time. The following variables were evaluated: canopy height, leaf: stem ratio, forage mass, leaf mass, stem mass and dead material mass. Total digestible nutrients, crude protein and in vitro dry mass digestibility were evaluated regarding forage nutrition. Animal performance, using 36 eleven-month-old animals (half-blood Nelore), was evaluated by the daily average gain and weight gain by area. During pre-grazing, canopy height presented interaction among forage cultivars and the evaluated periods. The average daily gain showed no interaction among cultivars and period of the year the similarity in animal performance among the cultivars Marandu and Massai show that the Massai grass can be used as an alternative for forage diversification under an alternate management system.

This study aimed to evaluate forage yield, tiller population density, canopy height, nutritional value as well as cattle performance in alternate stocking from three tropical forage cultivars. The experiment followed a randomized block design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Three forage cultivars (Marandu, Massai and Xaraés) distributed in nine hectares were evaluated in three dry season periods (transition wet/dry, dry, and end of dry season), with repeated measures over time. The following variables were evaluated: canopy height, leaf: stem ratio, forage mass, leaf mass, stem mass and dead material mass. Total digestible nutrients, crude protein and in vitro dry mass digestibility were evaluated regarding forage nutrition. Animal performance, using 36 eleven-month-old animals (half-blood Nelore), was evaluated by the daily average gain and weight gain by area. During pre-grazing, canopy height presented interaction among forage cultivars and the evaluated periods. The average daily gain showed no interaction among cultivars and period of the year the similarity in animal performance among the cultivars Marandu and Massai show that the Massai grass can be used as an alternative for forage diversification under an alternate management system.

Twenty-five-centimeter pre-grazing canopy height in palisade grass and forage peanut

ABSTRACT: Short-term grazing behavior variables are sensitive to the canopy structure and have an impact on daily forage intake. This study evaluated the effect of pre- and post-grazing canopy heights on the forage harvesting process at a patch scale in a mixture of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (palisade grass) and Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. Belomonte (forage peanut). Treatments were allocated to a split-plot arrangement in a completely randomized design. The plots, in their entirety, consisted of two pre-grazing canopy heights: 25 cm (CH25) and 35 cm (CH35); subplots consisted of three levels of defoliation severity: no defoliation (DS0); 20% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS20); and 40% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS40), with eight replications. Heifers were allowed to graze the patches (0.7 × 0.7 m) and their grazing behavior was recorded. Canopy structure measurements were taken both before and after grazing. Patches from CH35 presented greater stem mass for grass (p = 0.001) and legume (p = 0.002) than did patches from CH25. Bite rate, bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were greater for CH25 than for CH35 (p 0.001, p = 0.068, and p = 0.074), and bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were lower for DS20 compared to DS0 (p = 0.032 and p = 0.016). Greater stem mass in the grazing strata negatively influenced the instantaneous intake rate.

Contribution of tiller age category to herbage accumulation of Marandu palisadegrass under two fertilization regimes / Contribuição da categoria de idade do perfilho para o acúmulo de forragem de capim-marandu sob dois regimes de fertilização

Based on the hypothesis that climate and fertilizers influence the proportion of tiller age categories in the canopy and, consequently, in herbage accumulation, the objective of this study was to determine the population density and the contribution of tiller age categories for herbage accumulation of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu during the year and in response to phosphate and nitrogen fertilization. The treatments consisted of two fertilization strategies: low and high fertilization and three tiller ages (young, mature and old), evaluated at four times of the year: winter, early and late spring, and summer. The total number of tillers and the proportion of young tillers were higher in late spring and summer. The growth and herbage accumulation rates showed a typical seasonal pattern and were higher in the canopy under high fertilization. Old tillers contributed more to control the total stem growth rate, as well as the canopy senescence rate. The highest percentage of young tillers is related to the high herbage accumulation in the Marandu palisadegrass canopy.(AU)

Levando em consideração que os fertilizantes e o clima podem influenciar na faixa etária de perfilhos de um dossel e consequentemente no acúmulo de forragem, o objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar a densidade populacional e a contruibuição das faixas etárias de perfilhos para o acúmulo de forragem Uruchloa brizanta cv Marandu durante o ano e em resposta a fertização com fosfato e nitrogênio. O tratamento foi constituido de duas estratégias de fertilização: baixa e alta fertilização e três faixas etárias de perfilhos (jovem, maduro e velho) avaliadas em quatro épocas do ano (inverno, início e fim da primavera e verão). O número total de perfilhos e a proporção de perfilhos jovens foram maiores no final da primavera e no verão. As taxas de crescimento e de acumulação de forragem mostraram um padrão sazonal típico e foram maiores no dossel com alto nivel de fertilização do que com baixo nível de fertilizante. O perfilho velho contribuiu mais para controlar as taxas de crescimento total do caule, bem como para a taxa de senescência do dossel. A maior porcentagem de perfilhos jovens está relacionada ao alto acúmulo de forragem no dossel do capimmarandu.(AU)

Effects of sowing depth and inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens on the initial growth of Urochloa brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Marandú / Efeitos da profundidade de semeadura e inoculação com Pseudomonas fluorescens no crescimento inicial de Urochloa brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Marandú

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sowing depth and inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens on germination, emergence, shoot and root growth of Urochloa brizantha. A completely randomized design was used, in a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 12 repetitions. The following sowing depths (SD) were evaluated: 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 cm; and the seed inoculation with P. fluorescens (I): with and without. Evaluations were carried out 25 days after plant emergence. No effects of the PS × I or I interaction were observed for all variables evaluated (P> 0.05). The germination and emergence percentages decreased linearly (P <0.05) as the SD increased. No plant emergence was observed at and at 12 cm depth. The morphometric characteristics of the plants (height, number of leaves, length of root and leaf blade width) decreased linearly with the increase of SD (P <0.05). Dry matter production of the aerial part and root were not affected by SD (P> 0.05). However, an effect was observed on the shoot:root ratio, where plants sown more superficially had a greater relationship. The inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens in the seed, has no effect on the initial growth of Marandu grass. On the other hand, greater sowing depths affects negatively the initial growth.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de profundidades de semeadura e da inoculação com Pseudomonas fluorescens sobre a germinação, emergência, crescimento aéreo e radicular da Urochloa brizantha. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 6 × 2, com 12 repetições. Foram avaliadas a profundidade de semeadura (PS): 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 e 12 cm; e a inoculação da semente com P. fluorescens (I): sem e com. As avaliações foram realizadas 25 dias após a emergência das plântulas. Não foram observados efeitos da interação PS × I nem de I para todas as variáveis avaliadas(P> 0.05). Os percentuais de germinação e emergência diminuíram linearmente (P< 0.05) em função do aumento da PS, sendo que na profundidade de 12 cm, não foi observada emergência de plantas. As características morfométricas das plantas (altura, número de folhas, comprimento de raiz e largura de lâmina foliar) diminuíram linearmente em função do aumento da PS (P< 0.05). As produções de massa seca de parte aérea e de raiz não foram afetadas pela PS (P> 0.05), porém, foi observada diminuição da relação parte aérea:raiz com o aumento da OS (P< 0.05). A inoculação com Pseudomonas fluorescens na semente não apresenta efeitos sobe o crescimento inicial do capim Marandú. Por outro lado, profundidades de semeadura maiores afetam negativamente o crescimento inicial.(AU)

Morphogenesis of age groups of marandu palisadegrass tillers during the stockpiling period

The stockpiled forage canopy consists of tillers at different ages, which have specific development patterns. The objective was to understand the development of Urochloa brizanthacv. Marandu during the stockpiling period, by the morphogenic evaluation of tillers at different ages. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a split plot scheme, with four replications. Three tillers ages (young, mature and old) and two periods of stockpiling (initial and final) were evaluated. The leaf appearance and elongation rates were higher in young tillers (0.05 tiller-1day-1and 0.62 cm tiller-1day-1, respectively), compared to old tillers (0.02 tiller leaf-1day-1and 0.20 cm tiller-1day-1, respectively). The final leaf length of the tillers' age groups was the same in the beginning of stockpiling. The number of live leaves was lower in the old tillers (2.4), compared to the young (3.6) and mature (4.1) ones, contrary to the stem length. The number of old tillers (800 tillers m-2) was higher than the young (299 tillers m-2) and mature ones (358 tillers m-²). The participation of different age groups of tillersin the canopy influences the development and structure of marandu palisadegrass.(AU)

Intercropping sorghum and grasses during off-season in Brazilian Cerrado

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) may be harmlessly intercropped with Urochloa species during the off-season in the Brazilian Cerrado. At the end of the sorghum cycle, forages can be used for straw production for soybean (Glycine max L.) as the summer crop. This study aimed to evaluate sorghum cultivated during the off-season, intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. 'Marandu' (Hochst. ex A. Rich). R. D. Webster) and Congo grass (Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and Evrard) Crins) in two row spacings (0.5 and 0.7 m) for their effect on plant growth, dry mass production, sorghum yield and soybean grain yield. The experiment was a randomized block design: a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with three levels of intercropping (palisade grass, Congo grass or sole cropping) and two levels of row spacing (0.5 or 0.7 m) with four replicates. Several physiological growth indexes were estimated from 10 to 60 days after emergence (DAE), including dry matter production and sorghum agronomic performance. Sorghum accumulated 0.22 g of dry matter d-¹ at 10 to 60 DAE, and was not affected by intercropping. The dry mass gain of forages (0.04 g d-¹ on average) was not affected by sorghum either. Higher sorghum grain yield (2,922 kg ha-¹) was observed under the 0.5-m row spacing when compared to the 0.7-m spacing. The results indicate that palisade or Congo grass may be used as companion crops for sorghum with no grain yield loss, be it to improve soybean grain yield, soil cover or integrated crop systems, aiming at sustainable intensification.

Components of seed production and ergot resistance used as criteria for selection of Brachiaria hybrids

Ergot is a fungal disease and causes reductions in seed productivity and quality. We aimed to identify promising genotypes of brachiaria evaluating: (1) seed production potential (number of tillers, racemes per inflorescence, spikelets per raceme, raceme length, weight and number of seeds, and germination) and (2) resistance of seeds to Ergot (infected tillers, infected seeds). Five genotypes of Brachiaria grasses, four non-natural hybrids named BH1619, BH1810, BH1516 and Mavuno Palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha x Urochloa ruziziensis), and Marandu Palisadegrass (U. brizantha Hoechst cv. Marandu) were evaluated. The BH1619 hybrid, despite the high weight of seeds, produced less viable, pure seeds. The hybrid BH1516 had a lower percentage of flowered tillers (42%) and seeds infected with ergot (8%). Marandu Palisadegrass had a higher percentage of infected tillers (95%) and infected seeds (38%). The hybrid BH1516 was the most resistant to ergot, followed by Mavuno Palisadegras sand BH1619. Among all materials, Mavuno Palisadegrass and BH1516 have a higher potential for seed production due to the higher percentage of flowered tillers and production of pure seeds with high germination capacity. The BH1516 hybrid was resistant to ergot, making it a better choice for use in infected areas used for seed or forage production.(AU)

Foliar fertilization at the establishment of marandu, mavuno, mulato and ypyporã grasses

Foliar fertilization with macro and micro minerals for the forage grasses establishment can be a less costly alternative for the farmer, however the possible beneÀ ts of this management technique still need to be better studied. The objective with this work was to evaluate the physiological, productive and structural responses of grasses of the Urochloa genus, depending on the application or not of foliar fertilizer during the plant establishment. Four experiments were carried out, in each of which one of the following forage grasses was evaluated: Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, Urochloa spp. Mulatto II, Urochloa spp. Mavuno and Urochloa spp. Ipyporã. All the experiments were carried out from November 2018 to March 2019, in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The experimental area of each experiment consisted of four plots with 12.25 m², where half the area of the plots received foliar fertilizer (FH PASTAGEM FOLIAR, with 14% N; 12% P; 12% K; 0.38 % Mg; 10.2% S; 0.24% Cu; 0.18% Mn and 0.63% Zn) and the other half did not. The response variables were evaluated: spad index, leaf area index, canopy light interception, forage production and root density. In all experiments, the foliar fertilizer application during the establishment of Marandu, Mulato II, Mavuno and Ipyporã grasses did not inÁ uence (P>0,05) the spad and leaf area indexes, forage production and root density.(AU)

Twenty-five-centimeter pre-grazing canopy height in palisade grass and forage peanut

Short-term grazing behavior variables are sensitive to the canopy structure and have an impact on daily forage intake. This study evaluated the effect of pre- and post-grazing canopy heights on the forage harvesting process at a patch scale in a mixture of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (palisade grass) and Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. Belomonte (forage peanut). Treatments were allocated to a split-plot arrangement in a completely randomized design. The plots, in their entirety, consisted of two pre-grazing canopy heights: 25 cm (CH25) and 35 cm (CH35); subplots consisted of three levels of defoliation severity: no defoliation (DS0); 20% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS20); and 40% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS40), with eight replications. Heifers were allowed to graze the patches (0.7 × 0.7 m) and their grazing behavior was recorded. Canopy structure measurements were taken both before and after grazing. Patches from CH35 presented greater stem mass for grass (p = 0.001) and legume (p = 0.002) than did patches from CH25. Bite rate, bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were greater for CH25 than for CH35 (p < 0.001, p = 0.068, and p = 0.074), and bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were lower for DS20 compared to DS0 (p = 0.032 and p = 0.016). Greater stem mass in the grazing strata negatively influenced the instantaneous intake rate.

Forage performance and cattle production as a function of the seasonality of a Brazilian tropical region

This study aimed to evaluate forage yield, tiller population density, canopy height, nutritional value as well as cattle performance in alternate stocking from three tropical forage cultivars. The experiment followed a randomized block design, in a 3x3 factorial scheme with three replications. Three forage cultivars (Marandu, Massai and Xaraés) distributed in nine hectares were evaluated in three dry season periods (transition wet/dry, dry,and end of dry season), with repeated measuresover time. The following variables were evaluated: canopyheight, leaf: stem ratio, forage mass, leaf mass, stem mass and dead material mass. Total digestible nutrients, crude protein and in vitrodry mass digestibility were evaluated regarding forage nutrition. Animal performance, using 36 eleven-month-old animals (half-blood Nelore),was evaluated by the daily average gain and weight gain by area. During pre-grazing, canopy height presented interaction among forage cultivars and the evaluated periods. The average daily gain showed no interaction amongcultivarsand period of the year the similarity in animal performance amongthe cultivars Marandu and Massai show that the Massai grass can be used as an alternative for forage diversification under an alternate management system.(AU)

Twenty-five-centimeter pre-grazing canopy height in palisade grass and forage peanut

Short-term grazing behavior variables are sensitive to the canopy structure and have an impact on daily forage intake. This study evaluated the effect of pre- and post-grazing canopy heights on the forage harvesting process at a patch scale in a mixture of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (palisade grass) and Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. Belomonte (forage peanut). Treatments were allocated to a split-plot arrangement in a completely randomized design. The plots, in their entirety, consisted of two pre-grazing canopy heights: 25 cm (CH25) and 35 cm (CH35); subplots consisted of three levels of defoliation severity: no defoliation (DS0); 20% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS20); and 40% depletion of pre-grazing canopy height (DS40), with eight replications. Heifers were allowed to graze the patches (0.7 × 0.7 m) and their grazing behavior was recorded. Canopy structure measurements were taken both before and after grazing. Patches from CH35 presented greater stem mass for grass (p = 0.001) and legume (p = 0.002) than did patches from CH25. Bite rate, bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were greater for CH25 than for CH35 (p < 0.001, p = 0.068, and p = 0.074), and bite mass and instantaneous intake rate were lower for DS20 compared to DS0 (p = 0.032 and p = 0.016). Greater stem mass in the grazing strata negatively influenced the instantaneous intake rate.

Forage performance and cattle production as a function of the seasonality of a Brazilian tropical region

This study aimed to evaluate forage yield, tiller population density, canopy height, nutritional value as well as cattle performance in alternate stocking from three tropical forage cultivars. The experiment followed a randomized block design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Three forage cultivars (Marandu, Massai and Xaraés) distributed in nine hectares were evaluated in three dry season periods (transition wet/dry, dry, and end of dry season), with repeated measures over time. The following variables were evaluated: canopy height, leaf: stem ratio, forage mass, leaf mass, stem mass and dead material mass. Total digestible nutrients, crude protein and in vitro dry mass digestibility were evaluated regarding forage nutrition. Animal performance, using 36 eleven-month-old animals (half-blood Nelore), was evaluated by the daily average gain and weight gain by area. During pre-grazing, canopy height presented interaction among forage cultivars and the evaluated periods. The average daily gain showed no interaction among cultivars and period of the year the similarity in animal performance among the cultivars Marandu and Massai show that the Massai grass can be used as an alternative for forage diversification under an alternate management system.(AU)

Morphogenesis of stockpiled Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés and Paiaguás brachiaria grass cultivars / [Morfogênese de cultivares de capins marandu piatã, xaraés e paiaguás diferidos]

The objective this study was to identify differences in the morphogenic patterns of four Urochloa brizantha cultivars (marandu, piatã, xaraés and paiaguás grasses) during the stockpiling period. A completely randomized design was used, with three replications, in experimental plots of 9m². The evaluations took place over 2 years. The grasses were stockpiled for 92 (Year 1) and 95 (Year 2) days. The leaf appearance rate of paiaguás grass was higher, compared to other grasses. In Year 1, the stem elongation rate of xaraés grass was higher than other grasses. At the end of stockpiling period of Year 1, the tiller population density (TPD) was higher in the paiaguás grass, intermediate in the xaraés and marandu grasses and lower in the piatã grass. At the end of the stockpiling period in Year 2, TPD was higher in the paiaguás grass canopy, intermediate in the marandu and piatã grasses canopies, and lower in the xaraés grass canopy. Paiaguás grass has greater leaf growth during the stockpiling period and is therefore suitable for use under stockpiled grazing. Xaraés grass has high stem elongation during the stockpiling period, which is why its use under stockpiled grazing must be accompanied by adjustments in pasture management.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar diferenças nos padrões morfogênicos de quatro cultivares de Urochloa brizantha (marandu, piatã, xaraés e paiaguás) durante o período de diferimento. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetições, em parcelas experimentais de 9m². As avaliações ocorreram por dois anos. Os capins foram diferidos por 92 (Ano 1) e 95 (Ano 2) dias. A taxa de aparecimento foliar do capim-paiaguás foi maior, em comparação aos demais capins. No Ano 1, a taxa de alongamento do colmo do capim-xaraés foi superior aos demais capins. No final do diferimento do Ano 1, a densidade populacional de perfilho (DPP) foi maior no capim-paiaguás, intermediária nos capins xaraés e marandu e inferior no capim-piatã. No fim do período de diferimento do Ano 2, a DPP foi superior no dossel de capim-paiaguás, intermediária nos dosséis dos capins marandu e piatã, e menor no dossel de capim-xaraés. O capim-paiaguás tem maior crescimento foliar durante o período de diferimento, sendo, portanto, apropriado para uso sob pastejo diferido. O capim-xaraés apresenta elevado alongamento de colmo durante o período de diferimento, razão pela qual seu uso sob pastejo diferido deve vir acompanhado de ajustes no manejo da pastagem.(AU)

Consumo e parâmetros digestivos de ovinos alimentados com capim marandu de baixa qualidade e diferentes suplementos / Intake and digestive parameters of sheep ingesting forage from marandu palisadegrass and different supplements

Avaliou-se o efeito de três tipos de suplementos sobre o consumo e parâmetros digestivos em ovinos alimentados com forragem tropical de baixa qualidade. Foram utilizadas três borregas meio sangue Santa Inês x SRD, com peso corporal médio de 43 kg, alocadas em delineamento Quadro Latino (3x3) duplicado, sendo que em cada período experimental (total de seis com 14 dias cada) foram submetidas a um dos três tratamentos: mistura mineral (tratamento testemunha); suplemento constituído por mistura mineral, ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo: constituído por grão de milho moído, farelo de soja, ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) e mistura mineral. Todos os animais receberam como volumoso o capim marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu), picado in natura, ofertado duas vezes ao dia. Os suplementos foram fornecidos uma vez ao dia e a mistura mineral ad libitum. Houve aumento linear (p<0,001) com a suplementação proteica, tanto do consumo de matéria seca de suplemento (0,026; 0,048; 0,084 kg/dia) quanto do consumo de proteína bruta total (0,02; 0,04; 0,08 kg/dia), sendo estes valores registrados para mistura mineral, mistura mineral + ureia e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo, respectivamente. A suplementação proteica promoveu incremento no consumo de matéria seca total (p=0,03) quando comparada à mistura mineral, e os valores observados foram de 0,4; 0,51; 0,53 kg/dia para mistura mineral, mistura mineral + ureia e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo, respectivamente. O suplemento proteico de baixo consumo proporcionou maiores digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e consumo de NDT (p<0,05), contudo, o uso da mistura mineral + ureia promoveu resultados semelhantes aos da mistura mineral para estes parâmetros. Recomenda-se o fornecimento de suplemento proteico de baixo consumo para ovinos alimentados com forragem de baixa qualidade.

Aiming to evaluate the effect of three supplements types on intake and digestive parameters of sheep fed with low-quality tropical forage, three ewes (Santa Inês x SRD) were used in a double-blank Latin Square (3x3) design. The ewes had 43 kg of mean body weight and in each experimental period (a total of six with 14 days) were submitted to one of three treatments: mineral mixture (control treatment); supplement composed by mineral mixture, urea/ammonium sulfate (9:1); and protein supplement for low ingestion: composed by milled grains corn, soybean meal, urea/ammonium sulfate (9:1) and mineral mixture. All animals received chopped Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv.Marandu) in natura, offered twice a day, the supplements were supplied once a day and the mineral mixture ad libitum. It was observed a linear increase (P <0.001) for the protein supplementation treatments on both SDMI (supplement dry matter intake) (0.026; 0.048; 0.084 kg.day-1) and total crude protein intake (0.02; 0.04; 0.08 kg.day-1), those values were recorded for treatments mineral mixture, mineral mixture + urea and protein supplement for low ingestion, respectively. The protein supplementation treatments provided an increase on total dry matter intake (p=0.03) when they were compared to the control (MM), the values recorded were 0.4; 0.51; 0.53 kg.day-1 for treatments mineral mixture, mineral mixture + urea and protein supplement for low ingestion, respectively. The low-consumption protein supplement provided greater values for parameters apparent nutrients digestibility and total digestive nutrients consumption (p<0.05), whereas mineral mixture + urea treatment had similar results as control group. It is recommended to provide the low-consumption protein supplement for sheep fed with low quality forage.

Consumo e parâmetros digestivos de ovinos alimentados com capim marandu de baixa qualidade e diferentes suplementos / Intake and digestive parameters of sheep ingesting forage from marandu palisadegrass and different supplements

Avaliou-se o efeito de três tipos de suplementos sobre o consumo e parâmetros digestivos em ovinos alimentados com forragem tropical de baixa qualidade. Foram utilizadas três borregas meio sangue Santa Inês x SRD, com peso corporal médio de 43 kg, alocadas em delineamento Quadro Latino (3x3) duplicado, sendo que em cada período experimental (total de seis com 14 dias cada) foram submetidas a um dos três tratamentos: mistura mineral (tratamento testemunha); suplemento constituído por mistura mineral, ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo: constituído por grão de milho moído, farelo de soja, ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) e mistura mineral. Todos os animais receberam como volumoso o capim marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu), picado in natura, ofertado duas vezes ao dia. Os suplementos foram fornecidos uma vez ao dia e a mistura mineral ad libitum. Houve aumento linear (p<0,001) com a suplementação proteica, tanto do consumo de matéria seca de suplemento (0,026; 0,048; 0,084 kg/dia) quanto do consumo de proteína bruta total (0,02; 0,04; 0,08 kg/dia), sendo estes valores registrados para mistura mineral, mistura mineral + ureia e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo, respectivamente. A suplementação proteica promoveu incremento no consumo de matéria seca total (p=0,03) quando comparada à mistura mineral, e os valores observados foram de 0,4; 0,51; 0,53 kg/dia para mistura mineral, mistura mineral + ureia e suplemento proteico de baixo consumo, respectivamente. O suplemento proteico de baixo consumo proporcionou maiores digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e consumo de NDT (p<0,05), contudo, o uso da mistura mineral + ureia promoveu resultados semelhantes aos da mistura mineral para estes parâmetros. Recomenda-se o fornecimento de suplemento proteico de baixo consumo para ovinos alimentados com forragem de baixa qualidade.(AU)

Aiming to evaluate the effect of three supplements types on intake and digestive parameters of sheep fed with low-quality tropical forage, three ewes (Santa Inês x SRD) were used in a double-blank Latin Square (3x3) design. The ewes had 43 kg of mean body weight and in each experimental period (a total of six with 14 days) were submitted to one of three treatments: mineral mixture (control treatment); supplement composed by mineral mixture, urea/ammonium sulfate (9:1); and protein supplement for low ingestion: composed by milled grains corn, soybean meal, urea/ammonium sulfate (9:1) and mineral mixture. All animals received chopped Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv.Marandu) in natura, offered twice a day, the supplements were supplied once a day and the mineral mixture ad libitum. It was observed a linear increase (P <0.001) for the protein supplementation treatments on both SDMI (supplement dry matter intake) (0.026; 0.048; 0.084 kg.day-1) and total crude protein intake (0.02; 0.04; 0.08 kg.day-1), those values were recorded for treatments mineral mixture, mineral mixture + urea and protein supplement for low ingestion, respectively. The protein supplementation treatments provided an increase on total dry matter intake (p=0.03) when they were compared to the control (MM), the values recorded were 0.4; 0.51; 0.53 kg.day-1 for treatments mineral mixture, mineral mixture + urea and protein supplement for low ingestion, respectively. The low-consumption protein supplement provided greater values for parameters apparent nutrients digestibility and total digestive nutrients consumption (p<0.05), whereas mineral mixture + urea treatment had similar results as control group. It is recommended to provide the low-consumption protein supplement for sheep fed with low quality forage.(AU)