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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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.

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.

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)

Does the lowering strategy before the stockpiling period modify the marandu palisade grass production and structure? / [A estratégia de desfolhação prévia ao período de diferimento modifica a produção e a estrutura do capim-marandu?]

The objective was to identify lowering strategies for Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in the beginning of the stockpiling period that increase forage production and improve the structure of stockpiled canopies. Three lowering strategies were evaluated: maintenance of marandu palisade grass with 15cm four months before the stockpiling period; maintenance of palisade grass with 30cm for four months, and lowering to 15cm before the stockpiling period; and maintaining of palisade grass at 45cm for four months, and lowering to 15cm before the stockpiling period. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications. At the end of stockpiling, the number of reproductive tillers and forage mass were higher in the canopy under 15/15cm than in the others; the percentage of live leaf was higher in the canopy under 45/15cm than under 15/15cm. Forage production during the stockpiling period was higher in the canopy under 15/15cm and lower in the under 45/15cm. Maintaining 15cm marandu palisadegrass for four months before the stockpiling period increases forage production during this period. The lowering of the marandu palisadegrass from 45 to 15cm at the beginning of the stockpiling period improves the structure of the stockpiled canopy.(AU)

Objetivou-se identificar estratégias de rebaixamento da Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu no início do diferimento, as quais resultem em aumento da produção e em melhoria da estrutura do dossel diferido. Foram avaliadas três estratégias de rebaixamento no início do diferimento: manutenção do capim-marandu com 15cm por quatro meses antes do início do diferimento; manutenção do capim-marandu com 30cm por quatro mese, e rebaixamento para 15cm no início do diferimento; e manutenção do capim com 45cm por quatro meses e rebaixamento para 15cm no início do diferimento. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. No fim do diferimento, o número de perfilho reprodutivo e a massa de forragem foram superiores no dossel sob 15/15cm do que nos demais; a percentagem de folha viva foi maior no dossel sob 45/15cm do que sob 15/15cm. A produção de forragem durante o diferimento foi superior no dossel sob 15/15cm e inferior no sob 45/15cm. A manutenção do capim-marandu com 15cm por quatro meses antes do período de diferimento aumenta a produção de forragem neste período. O rebaixamento do capim-marandu de 45 para 15cm no início do diferimento melhora a estrutura do dossel diferido.(AU)

Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu presents a better response to in vitro salt stress than other commercial cultivars / Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu apresenta uma melhor resposta ao estresse salino in vitro comparada a outras cultivares comerciais

Urochloa brizantha is the main forage grass to raise cattle in Brazil, but salt stress can reduce yield. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress remain poorly understood in this species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of three cultivars of U. brizantha to in vitro salt stress. Seeds of three cultivars (Piatã, Marandu, and Xaraés) germinated in filter paper and then transferred to growth on culture mediain vitro containing 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-¹ of sodium chloride (NaCl). Biometric parameters and proline content were determined after 28 days. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the separation of means was performed by the LSD test (p<0.05). Semi-quantitative expression of the Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS1) gene was performed. In all cultivars, increase of NaCl concentration in the media affected roots and shoots growth. Xaraes cultivar presented the greater biomass reduction while Marandu cultivar was the least affected. Salt stress increased by approximated 0.6folds transcription of the P5CS1gene in all cultivars. However, Marandu cultivar presented a higher proline content and least biomass reduction suggesting a better response to in vitro to salt stress.

Urochloa brizantha é a principal gramínea forrageira para a pecuária no Brasil, mas o estresse salino pode reduzir a produtividade. Os mecanismos fisiológicos e moleculares de adaptação ao estresse salino permanecem pouco conhecidos nesta espécie. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as respostas de três cultivares de U. brizantha ao estresse salino in vitro. Sementes de três cultivares (Piatã, Marandu e Xaraés) germinaram em papel filtro e foram transferidas para cultivo em meio in vitro contendo 0, 50, 100 e 200 mg L-¹ de cloreto de sódio (NaCl). Os parâmetros biométricos e o conteúdo de prolina foram determinados após 28 dias. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e separação de médias realizada pelo teste LSD (p <0,05). Foi realizada a expressão semi quantitativa do gene da Δ¹-pirrolina-5-carboxilato sintase (P5CS1). Em todas as cultivares, o aumento da concentração de NaCl no meio afetou o crescimento das raízes e da parte aérea. A cultivar Xaraes apresentou a maior redução na biomassa enquanto Marandu foi a menos afetada. O estresse salino foi aumentado pela transcrição de aproximadamente 0,7 vezes do gene P5CS1em todas as cultivares. No entanto, a cultivar Marandu apresentou maior teor de prolina e menor redução de biomassa, sugerindo melhor resposta ao estresse salino in vitro.

Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu presents a better response to in vitro salt stress than other commercial cultivars / Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu apresenta uma melhor resposta ao estresse salino in vitro comparada a outras cultivares comerciais

Urochloa brizantha is the main forage grass to raise cattle in Brazil, but salt stress can reduce yield. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress remain poorly understood in this species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of three cultivars of U. brizantha to in vitro salt stress. Seeds of three cultivars (Piatã, Marandu, and Xaraés) germinated in filter paper and then transferred to growth on culture mediain vitro containing 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-¹ of sodium chloride (NaCl). Biometric parameters and proline content were determined after 28 days. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the separation of means was performed by the LSD test (p<0.05). Semi-quantitative expression of the Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS1) gene was performed. In all cultivars, increase of NaCl concentration in the media affected roots and shoots growth. Xaraes cultivar presented the greater biomass reduction while Marandu cultivar was the least affected. Salt stress increased by approximated 0.6folds transcription of the P5CS1gene in all cultivars. However, Marandu cultivar presented a higher proline content and least biomass reduction suggesting a better response to in vitro to salt stress.(AU)

Urochloa brizantha é a principal gramínea forrageira para a pecuária no Brasil, mas o estresse salino pode reduzir a produtividade. Os mecanismos fisiológicos e moleculares de adaptação ao estresse salino permanecem pouco conhecidos nesta espécie. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as respostas de três cultivares de U. brizantha ao estresse salino in vitro. Sementes de três cultivares (Piatã, Marandu e Xaraés) germinaram em papel filtro e foram transferidas para cultivo em meio in vitro contendo 0, 50, 100 e 200 mg L-¹ de cloreto de sódio (NaCl). Os parâmetros biométricos e o conteúdo de prolina foram determinados após 28 dias. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e separação de médias realizada pelo teste LSD (p <0,05). Foi realizada a expressão semi quantitativa do gene da Δ¹-pirrolina-5-carboxilato sintase (P5CS1). Em todas as cultivares, o aumento da concentração de NaCl no meio afetou o crescimento das raízes e da parte aérea. A cultivar Xaraes apresentou a maior redução na biomassa enquanto Marandu foi a menos afetada. O estresse salino foi aumentado pela transcrição de aproximadamente 0,7 vezes do gene P5CS1em todas as cultivares. No entanto, a cultivar Marandu apresentou maior teor de prolina e menor redução de biomassa, sugerindo melhor resposta ao estresse salino in vitro.(AU)

Effect of grazing management strategies on the yield and nutritional value of Marandu grass in the semiarid of Brazil / Efeito de estratégias de manejo do pastejo na produtividade e valor nutricional do capim-Marandu no semiárido brasileiro

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.(AU)

Objetivou-se por meio deste trabalho avaliar os efeitos de duas estratégias de manejo do pastejo sobre os parâmetros estruturais, produtivos e nutricionais do capim-Marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com duas estratégias de manejo da pastagem e oito repetições (blocos). As estratégias de manejo do pastejo foram: (1) pastejo rotacional menos intensivo (LI), com altura do pasto pré-pastejo de 40 cm e altura do pasto pós-pastejo de 24 cm, ou seja, intensidade de desfolha de 50%; (2) pastejo rotativo mais intensivo (HI), com altura do pasto pré-pastejo de 40 cm e altura do pasto pós-pastejo de 10 cm (±70% densidade de desfolha). As pastagens foram amostradas antes e após o pastejo para estimativa da massa de forragem, taxa de acúmulo de forragem, características estruturais, valor nutricional e consumo de matéria seca. A estratégia LI resultou em maior produção de matéria seca do que HI antes (18,33%) e após pastejo (49,06%), aumentando a densidade de forragem prépastejo em 13,21% (P < 0,05). A produção de matéria seca potencialmente digestível foi maior (P < 0,05) na estratégia LI (21,3% antes e 39,6% após o pastejo, respectivamente). Maior matéria seca verde total póspastejo (45%) aumentou a proteína bruta residual em LI. A estratégia de manejo da LI aumentou a produção em massa de forragem e pode ser utilizada em pastagens de capim-Marandu.(AU)

Defoliation heights for palisade grass cv. Marandu in silvopastoral system / [Alturas de desfolhação para capim-marandu em sistema silvipastoril]

The objective was to test the response of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in monoculture and in silvopastoral system (SPS), at two distances from the trees, and define the best defoliation height for SPS. Four intermittent defoliation heights (25, 35, 45 and 55cm) and two distances from tree lines (2.5 and 5.0m) were evaluated in the SPS with a control defoliated with 25cm in full sun. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design with 3 replicates in a 4 × 2 + 1 split plot scheme. The control had higher forage accumulation (46.9kg/ha. day) than the SPS (31.1kg/ha. day). The bulk density was also higher in the control (0.89mg/cm³) than in SPS (0.48mg/cm³). The percentage of leaves (78.06%) and leaf/stem ratio (6.04) did not differ among the treatments. In the SPS, there was an increase of 31.07% in forage accumulation from 25 to 55cm. The forage accumulation and bulk density of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in monoculture is greater than in the SPS regardless of the management goal and the distance from trees. The goal of 55cm in the SPS presented greater forage accumulation.(AU)

O objetivo foi testar a resposta de pastos de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu em monocultivo e em sistema silvipastoril (SSP), a diferentes distâncias das árvores, bem como definir qual altura de desfolhação é a mais indicada para manejo em SPS. Foram avaliadas quatro alturas de desfolhação intermitente (25, 35, 45 e 55cm) e duas distâncias das linhas de árvores (2,5 e 5,0m), no SPS, e uma testemunha desfolhada com 25cm, em pleno sol. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 4 × 2 + 1. O controle apresentou maior acúmulo de forragem (46,9kg/ha.dia) que a média do SSP (31,1kg/ha.dia). A densidade volumétrica da forragem do controle (0,89mg/cm³) foi maior que a do SSP (0,48mg/cm³). A porcentagem de folhas (78,06%) e a relação folha/colmo (6,04) não diferiram entre os tratamentos. O aumento das alturas de 25 para 55cm no SSP resultou em aumento de 31,07% no acúmulo de forragem. O acúmulo e a densidade volumétrica da forragem são maiores no monocultivo, independentemente da meta de manejo e da distância das árvores no sistema silvipastoril. A meta de 55cm no silvipastoril apresenta maior acúmulo de forragem.(AU)