Herbage accumulation dynamics, morphogenisis, and forage nutritive value of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk under intermittent defoliation

• Grant number: 09/51855-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2009
• End date: August 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira
• Grantee: Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of the study is to describe and explain the influence of grazing method on herbage accumulation dynamics, morphogenic responses, and forage nutritive value of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk under intermittent grazing. The field research was carried out at the Unit of Research and Development Brotas, APTA - SP and treatments were two defoliation intensities (stubble heights), 5 and 10 cm, combined with two defoliation frequencies (95 and 100% sward light interception, LI, for grazing initiation). The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications, totaling 16 (experimental units) mob-grazed by beef steers. Plant part composition was characterized in pre-graze forage sampled at the stubble height. Plant morphogenesis was studied during all regrowth periods in all experimental units. In order to complete the study, we plan to characterize the forage on offer at pre-graze, by running chemical analyses (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber) and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The results will be analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS, 1999) and treatment LSMEANS will be compared by Tukey test (10%). (AU)