Agronomic performance, morphological and physiological characteristics and nutritive value of four forage peanut cultivars under cut

Author(s)

Aliedson Sampaio Ferreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-10-07

Examining board members

Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira; Adibe Luiz Abdalla; Carlos Mauricio Soares de Andrade; Gustavo José Braga; Carlos Augusto de Miranda Gomide

• Advisor: Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira

Abstract

The diversification of pastures together with lower dependence on high energy inputs such as mineral fertilization in forage-livestock systems is a promising alternative in the development of this industry. However, the lack of information on morphological and physiological characteristics of many promising forages such as legumes limits the rational utilization and adequate management of this resource. Studies morphological, physiological, and agronomic characteristics of forage legumes are important to characterize their growth patterns as well as to describe their growth, development and production. In order to establish a basis for the use of forage peanut genotypes and to ascertain the adaptation and the potential of these materials to the southeastern conditions of Brazil, this study was devised to describe and explain the morphological, physiological, and agronomic responses as well as the sward structural characteristics, and forage nutritive value of four forage peanut (Arachis pintoi (Krapov. & W.C. Gregory) genotypes submitted to two harvest frequencies. The study was conducted in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial design (genotypes Mandobi, Amarillo, Belmonte, and Alqueire-1, harvested every 28 or 42 days at 10 cm), with three replications, totalling 24 experimental units. Responses measured included forage yield, canopy structural attributes, including height, leaf area index, light interception and plant-part composition and nutritive value. Total warm-season forage accumulation production (5,8 Mg MS ha-1) and accumulation rate (52 kg DM ha-1 d-1) were higher under the 28-d harvest schedule. The Belmonte cultivar showed the highest yield (8,1 Mg MS ha-1) and accumulation rate (69 kg DM ha-1 d-1) of all genotypes. The mean pre-harvest LAI (4,5) and light interception (97%) did not vary in response to harvest frequency. The forage crude protein concentration was higher at 28 days (253 g kg-1) and cultivar Belmonte forage had higher concentrations (265 g kg-1) than Mandobi and Amarillo. The concentrations of neutral detergent fiber did not vary with harvest frequency and Belmonte forage had higher NDF (369 g kg-1) than Alqueire-1 (337 g kg-1). Production of leaves and petioles did not vary as a function of harvest frequency, and Belmonte had the highest yield of leaves (6,0 Mg MS ha-1) and petioles (2,6 Mg MS ha-1). Belmonte had better agronomic performance with higher light interception andLAI, resulting in higher total forage accumulation. Harvest frequency impact yield characteristics and can modify sward architecture. Plant maturity affected forage nutritive value, with the 28-d schedule resulting in better forage., (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/19465-8 - Agronomic performance and morpho-physiological characterists of five forage peanut genotypes under cutting
• Grantee: Aliedson Sampaio Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate