Productivity, utilization efficiency and sward targets for mixed pastures of marandugrass, forage peanut and tropical kudzu

This study was carried out to evaluate the productivity and utilization efficiency of a mixed marandugrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Mandobi) and tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) pasture, rotationally stocked at four daily forage allowance levels (6....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRevista brasileira de zootecnia Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 512 - 520
Main Authors Andrade, Carlos Mauricio Soares de, Garcia, Rasmo, Valentim, Judson Ferreira, Pereira, Odilon Gomes
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Portuguese
Published Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia 01.03.2012
Subjects
AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE
Arachis pintoi
Brachiaria brizantha
grazing management
legume
Pueraria phaseoloides
VETERINARY SCIENCES
Western Amazon
Arachis pintoi
grazing management
legume
Brachiaria brizantha
Pueraria phaseoloides
Western Amazon
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Summary:This study was carried out to evaluate the productivity and utilization efficiency of a mixed marandugrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Mandobi) and tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) pasture, rotationally stocked at four daily forage allowance levels (6.6, 10.3, 14.3 and 17.9% of live weight), in order to define sward management targets for these mixtures. In each stocking cycle, dry matter (DM) accumulation rates, defoliation intensity (%), grazing depth (%) and grazed horizon (cm) were evaluated. Sward targets were defined according to the sward condition that best conciliated the grass-legume balance and the equilibrium between forage production and utilization. Pastures submitted to higher forage allowance levels showed higher productivity, but were less efficiently utilized. It was not possible to establish sward management targets for marandugrass-tropical kudzu pastures. For marandugrass-forage peanut pastures the best sward state was set with forage allowance of 10.3% of live weight. Under rotational stocking, the following sward targets were suggested for these pastures in the Western Amazon: pre-grazing height of 30-35 cm (June to September) or 45-50 cm (October to May) and post-grazing sward height of 20-25 cm (June to September) or 25-30 cm (October to May).
ISSN:1516-3598
1806-9290
1516-3598
1806-9290
DOI:10.1590/S1516-35982012000300006