1. Grazing management of Megathyrsus maximus BRS Tamani under shading: Effects of morphogenetic, physiological, and herbage characteristics.
- Author
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da Cruz, Priscila Júnia Rodrigues, Anésio, Arnon Henrique Campos, Santos, Márcia Vitória, and Dumont, Mariana Almeida
- Subjects
SILVOPASTORAL systems ,LEAF area index ,WATER efficiency ,PLANT morphology ,SPRING - Abstract
Scientific papers regarding BRS Tamani management under shaded systems are still scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure tissue flow through morphogenesis and physiological characteristics of BRS Tamani plants grown under different shading levels, managed to intercept 95% of light. The experiment was analyzed as a split-plot design with six replications. Whole plots were the growth seasons of the year (average of fall/winter and spring/summer seasons evaluated in both years) and the subplots were the artificial shading (0, 30, 45, and 73%). Shade levels were obtained by using commercial polypropylene nets of 30, 60, and 90% shade. The leaf appearance rate, stem elongation rate, leaf senescence rate, phyllochron, number of green leaves, leaf blade length and leaf area index were not influenced by shading, season and the interaction between shading and season. The morphological components, total dry mass and tillering of BRS Tamani were not affected by artificial shading. Canopy height was positively affected by the increase in artificial shading on BRS Tamani plants. The increase in shading caused a reduction in water use efficiency. On the other hand, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll a and b levels increased with shading. The photosynthetic rate and the respiratory rate increased up to the 45% shading level, with values decreasing at 75% shading. Phenotypic plasticity, through changes in the photosynthetic apparatus and plant morphology of BRS Tamani grass, allows its use in silvopastoral systems even under intense shading (73% shade). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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