Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T19:24:21.509Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutritive value and morphological characteristics of Mombaça grass managed with different rotational grazing strategies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2020

S. C. Da Silva ,
A. A. O. Bueno ,
R. A. Carnevalli ,
G. P. Silva  and
M. B. Chiavegato Open the ORCID record for M. B. Chiavegato [Opens in a new window]
S. C. Da Silva*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
A. A. O. Bueno
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
R. A. Carnevalli
Affiliation:
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Sinop, MT, Brazil
G. P. Silva
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
M. B. Chiavegato
Affiliation:
Departments of Horticulture & Crop Science and Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
*
Author for correspondence: S.C. Da Silva, E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Light competition increases and plants’ growth pattern change to optimize light utilization when the leaf area index increases. It has been previously shown that using 95% canopy light interception (LI) as a grazing frequency criterion resulted in a greater proportion of leaves and a lower proportion of stem. The objective of the study was to characterize the forage production, morphological composition and nutritive value of Panicum maximum cv Mombaça. The experiment was carried out during summer, autumn–winter and spring. Treatments corresponded to combinations of two pre-grazing conditions (95% and maximum LI at pre-grazing; LI95% and LIMax, respectively) and two post-grazing heights (PGHs; 30 and 50 cm). The statistical design was a randomized complete block, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Swards managed with LI95% had greater proportions of leaves and lower proportions of stems compared to LIMax. Leaf proportion was lower during autumn–winter compared to summer and spring. The LI95% had greater crude protein (CP) and digestibility (IVOMD), and lower acid detergent fibre (ADF) concentrations than LIMax. The 50 cm PGH pastures had greater CP content and IVOMD, and lower ADF content than 30 cm PGH pastures. Lower IVOMD was observed during autumn–winter than summer and spring. The variability observed on morphological characteristics was primarily associated with seasonality, whilst the nutritive value was primarily affected by grazing management. The pre-grazing target of LI95% combined with 50 cm PGH was the combination that resulted in an increased proportion of leaves, decreased stems in basal stratum and the greatest nutritive value of the produced forage.

Keywords

Light interceptionPanicum maximumrotational stocking grazing
Type
Crops and Soils Research Paper
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 157 , Issue 7-8 , October 2019 , pp. 592 - 598
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AOAC (2016) Official Methods of Analysis, 20th Edn. Arlington, VA, USA: AOAC Int.Google Scholar
Ballaré, CL (1999) Keeping up with the neighbours: phytochrome sensing and other signaling mechanisms. Trends in Plant Science 4, 97–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birch, CJ, Andrieu, B, Fournier, C and Kroesen, C (2007) Kinetics of leaf extension in maize: parameterization for two tropically adapted cultivars planted on two dates at Gatton. European Journal of Agronomy 27, 215–224.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Briske, DD (1996) Strategies of plant survival in grazed systems: a functional interpretation. In Hodgson, J and Illius, A (eds), The Ecology and Management of Grazing Systems. Wallingford, UK: CAB International, pp. 37–69.Google Scholar
Brougham, RW (1955) A study in rate of pasture growth. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 6, 804–812.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bruinenberg, MH, Valk, H, Korevaar, H and Struik, PC (2002) Factors affecting digestibility of temperate forages from seminatural grasslands: a review. Grass and Forage Science 57, 292–301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carnevalli, RA, Da Silva, SC, Carvalho, CAB, Sbrissia, AF, Fagundes, JL, Pinto, LFM and Pedreira, CGS (2001) Desempenho de ovinos e respostas de pastagens de Coastcross (Cynodon spp.) submetidas a regimes de desfolha sob lotação contínua. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira 36, 919–927.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carnevalli, RA, Da Silva, SC, Bueno, AAO, Uebele, MC, Bueno, FO, Hodgson, J, Silva, GN and Morais, JPG (2006) Herbage production and grazing losses in Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça under four grazing management. Tropical Grasslands 40, 165–176.Google Scholar
Carvalho, CAB, Da Silva, SC, Sbrissia, AF, Fagundes, JL, Carnevalli, RA, Pinto, LFM and Pedreira, CGS (2001) Carboidratos não estruturais e acúmulo de forragem em pastagens de Cynodon spp. sob lotação contínua. Scientia Agricola 58, 667–674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carvalho, CAB, Da Silva, SC, Sbrissia, AF, Pinto, LFM, Carnevalli, RA, Fagundes, JL and Pedreira, CGS (2009) Demografia do perfilhamento e acúmulo de matéria seca em capim Tifton-85 submetido a pastejo. Scientia Agricola 57, 591–600.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CEPAGRI (Centro de Pesquisas Meteorológicas e Climáticas Aplicadas à Agricultura) (2012) Clima dos Municípios Paulistas. Campinas, Brazil: CEPAGRI.Google Scholar
Choong, MF, Lucas, PW, Ong, JSY, Pereira, B, Tan, HTW and Turner, IM (1992) Leaf fracture-toughness and sclerophylly: their correlations and ecological implications. New Phytologist 121, 597–610.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Congio, GFS, Batalha, CDA, Chiavegato, MB, Berndt, A, Oliveira, PPA, Frighetto, RTS, Maxwell, TMR, Gregorini, P and Da Silva, SC (2018) Strategic grazing management towards sustainable intensification at tropical pasture-based dairy systems. Science of the Total Environment 636, 872–880.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Da Silva, SC and Carvalho, PCF (2005) Foraging behaviour and herbage intake in the favourable tropics/subtropics. In McGilloway, DA (ed.), Grassland: A Global Resource. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 81–96.Google Scholar
Da Silva, SC, Bueno, AAO, Carnevalli, RA, Uebele, MC, Bueno, FO, Hodgson, J, Matthew, C, Arnold, GC and Morais, JPG (2009) Sward structural characteristics and herbage accumulation of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça subjected to rotational stocking managements. Scientia Agricola 66, 8–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Da Silva, SC, Sbrissia, AF and Pereira, LET (2015) Ecophysiology of C4 forage grasses – understanding plant growth for optimising their use and management. Agriculture 5, 598–625.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duru, M, Cruz, P and Magda, D (2004) Using plant traits to compare sward structure and composition of grass species across environmental gradients. Applied Vegetation Science 7, 11–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duru, M, Cruz, P, Raouda, AHK, Ducourtieux, C and Theau, JP (2008) Relevance of plant functional types based on leaf dry matter content for assessing digestibility of native grass species and species-rich grassland communities in spring. Agronomy Journal 100, 1622–1630.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) (1999) The Brazilian System of Soil Classification. Brasilia, Brazil: Produção de Informação.Google Scholar
Euclides, VPB, Lopes, FC, Nascimento, D Jr, Da Silva, SC, Difante, GS and Barbosa, RA (2015) Steer performance on Panicum maximum (cv. Mombaça) pastures under two grazing intensities. Animal Production Science 56, 1849–1856.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fonseca, L, Mezzalira, JC, Bremm, C, Filho, RSA, Gonda, HL and Carvalho, PCF (2012) Management targets for maximising the short-term herbage intake rate of cattle grazing in Sorghum bicolor. Livestock Science 145, 205–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fonseca, L, Carvalho, PCF, Mezzalira, JC, Bremm, C, Galli, JR and Gregorini, P (2013) Effect of sward surface height and level of herbage depletion on bite features of cattle grazing Sorghum bicolor swards. Journal of Animal Science 91, 4357–4365.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
FOSS Tecator (1987) The Determination of Nitrogen According to Kjeldahl using Block Digestion and Steam Distillation. Application Note AN300. Hilleroed, Denmark: FOSS.Google Scholar
Geremia, EV, Crestani, S, Mascheroni, JDC, Carnevalli, RA, Mourão, GB and Da Silva, SC (2018) Sward structure and herbage intake of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã in a crop-livestock-forestry integration area. Livestock Science 212, 83–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Giacomini, AA, Silva, SC, Sarmento, DOL, Zeferino, CV, Trindade, JK, Souza Júnior, SJ, Guarda, VA, Sbrissia, AF and Nascimento Júnior, D (2009) Components of the leaf area index of marandu palisadegrass swards subjected to strategies of intermittent stocking. Scientia Agricola 66, 721–732.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goering, HK and Van Soest, PJ (1970) Forage Fiber Analysis. Agricultural Handbook 379. Washington, DC, USA: USDA.Google Scholar
Gregorini, P, Gunter, SA, Bowman, MT, Caldwell, JD, Masino, CA, Coblentz, WK and Beck, PA (2011) Effect of herbage depletion on short-term foraging dynamics and diet quality of steers grazing wheat pastures. Journal of Animal Science 89, 3824–3830.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hodgson, J (1990) Grazing Management. Science into Practice. Harlow, UK: Longman Group UK.Google Scholar
Korte, CJ, Watkin, BR and Harris, W (1982) Use of residual leaf area index and light interception as criteria for spring-grazing management of a ryegrass-dominant pasture. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 25, 309–319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mezzalira, JC, Carvalho, PCF, Fonseca, L, Bremm, C, Cangiano, CH, Gonda, HL and Laca, EA (2014) Behavioural mechanisms of intake rate by heifers grazing swards of contrasting structures. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 153, 1–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morrison, TA, Kessler, JR and Buxton, DR (1994) Maize internode elongation patterns. Crop Science 34, 1055–1060.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ometto, JC (1981) Bioclimatologia Vegetal. São Paulo, Brazil: Agronômica Ceres.Google Scholar
Parsons, AJ, Johnson, IR and Harvey, A (1988) Use of a model to optimize the interaction between frequency and severity of intermittent defoliation and to provide a fundamental comparison of the continuous and intermittent defoliation of grass. Grass and Forage Science 43, 49–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pereira, LET, Paiva, AJ, Geremia, EV and Da Silva, SC (2014) Components of herbage accumulation in elephant grass cv Napier subjected to strategies of intermittent stocking management. Journal of Agricultural Science 152, 954–966.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pereira, LET, Paiva, AJ, Geremia, EV and Da Silva, SC (2015) Regrowth patterns of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) subjected to strategies of intermittent stocking management. Grass and Forage Science 70, 195–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pontes, L, Carrère, P, Andueza, D, Louault, F and Soussana, JF (2007) Seasonal productivity and nutritive value of temperate grasses found in seminatural pastures in Europe. Responses to cutting frequency and N supply. Grass and Forage Science 62, 485–496.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Santos, PM, Corsi, M, Pedreira, CGS and Lima, CG (2006) Tiller cohort development and digestibility in Tanzania guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) under three levels of grazing intensity. Tropical Grasslands 40, 84–93.Google Scholar
Sbrissia, AF, Duchini, PG, Zanini, GD, Santos, GT, Padilha, DA and Schmitt, D (2018) Defoliation strategies in pastures submitted to intermittent stocking method: underlying mechanisms buffering forage accumulation over a range of grazing heights. Crop Science 58, 945–954.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silva, GP, Fialho, CA, Carvalho, LR, Fonseca, L, Carvalho, PCF, Bremm, C and Da Silva, SC (2018) Sward structure and short-term herbage intake in Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte subjected to varying intensities of grazing. The Journal of Agricultural Science 156, 92–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Soest, PJ, Robertson, JB and Lewis, BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Violle, C, Navas, ML, Vile, D, Kazakou, E, Fortunel, C, Hummel, I and Garnier, E (2007) Let the concept of trait be functional!. Oikos 116, 882–892.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Voltolini, TV, Santos, FAP, Martinez, JC, Clarindo, RL, Penati, MA and Imaizumi, H (2010) Características produtivas e qualitativas do capim-elefante pastejado em intervalo fixo ou variável de acordo com a interceptação da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39, 1002–1010.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zanini, GD, Santos, GT and Sbrissia, AF (2012) Frequencies and intensities of defoliation in Aruana guineagrass swards: morphogenetic and structural characteristics. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 41, 1848–1857.CrossRefGoogle Scholar