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The impacts of fertilization regimes and stubble heights in signal grass cv. Basilisk pastures were evaluated during late spring and summer in Brazil. Liming and N, P and K fertilization were applied to generate gradients in soil fertility to maintain soil base saturations around 35%, 50% and 65%, increase soil P concentration and the proportion of K in soil cation exchange capacity, combined with two stubble heights of 10 and 15 cm. Herbage accumulation was not affected by fertilization regimes and stubble height reaching 10 t/ha of dry matter during the growing season. Cutting at 10 cm maximizes the leaf mass and leaf area index and decreases dead material mass without the need of high soil base saturation and NPK fertilization rates to sustain plant growth. However, this stubble height required longer regrowth periods to attain 95% of light interception (LI95%). A stubble height of 15 cm is preferred when short regrowth periods are required. The canopy height at the point of LI95% does not change with fertilization regimes, but the LI95% is reached at different canopy heights in late spring and summer in signal grass pastures. The adoption of a moderate fertilization regime is recommended as a strategy to obtain an equitable forage distribution between late spring and summer.

In pastures subjected to stockpiling, the tiller population goes through an intense process of self-thinning, hindering the recruitment of new tillers in the subsequent season. We evaluated different pasture management strategies in late winter in an attempt to modify tiller recruitment during spring. Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu was maintained at 4 different levels (heights) of stockpiled pasture at the end of winter: short (15.1 cm), medium (23.2 cm), tall (31.4 cm) and tall/mown (31.3 cm, mown to 8 cm). In October (early spring), the short and tall/mown pastures had a tiller appearance rate (TAR) and a population stability index (PSI) superior (P

ABSTRACT This study is based on the principle that vegetation indexes (VIs), derived from the RGB color model obtained from digital images, can be used to characterize spectral signatures and classify Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés according to nitrogen status (N). From colorimetric data obtained from leaf blade images acquired in the field, three artificial neural networks were evaluated according to the performance in the classification of N status: Feedforward Backpropagation (FFBP), Cascade Forward Backpropagation (CFBP) and Radial Base function (RBFNN). Four N fertilization rates were applied to generate contrasting N contents in the plants. The youngest completely expanded leaves from 60 tillers were detached at each regrowth cycle of 28 days, thus their images and leaf N content were obtained. Samples were then classified as deficient (>17 g N kg-1 leaf dry matter (DM), moderately deficient (from 17.1 to 20.0 g N kg-1 DM), and sufficient (> 20.1 g N kg-1 DM). The VIs were selected by principal component analysis and the performance of the networks evaluated by the accuracy. The accuracy in classification obtained by the networks were 88%, 86% and 79% for FFBP, CFBP and RBFNN, respectively, indicating that the spectral signatures can be determined from images acquired in the field. So, the proposed method could be used to develop a software that aims to monitor the status of N in real time, providing a fast and inexpensive tool for defining the time and the amount of N fertilizer, according to the pasture demand.

ABSTRACT The critical range of leaf nitrogen (%NLeaf) concentration can be used to monitor the plant’s nitrogen (N) status, being an essential tool to define strategic fertilization protocols, where the time and amounts of fertilizers are applied according to pasture’s demand. The productivity parameters and two methods to determine N sufficiency - (i) the N nutrition index (NNI) and (ii) the normalized N sufficiency index (NSI) - were evaluated in Brachiaria hybrid Mavuno (Brachiaria spp. Syn. Urochloa spp.) along the regrowth cycles of the first growth season after seeding (establishment phase). The aims of the study were to estimate the critical %NLeaf for Mavuno grass pastures through productivity parameters, considering the sampling of the youngest expanded leaf as reference. Fertilization rates were defined as follow: no-nitrogen (N0), 15 (N15), 30 (N30) and 45 (N45) kg ha-1 of N and were applied after each cutting. The Falker chlorophyll index (FCI) was obtained from a portable chlorophyll meter Falker ClorofiLOG® CFL1030, and results were used to calculate the NSI. The regression analysis, on a regrowth cycle basis, provided the parameters to estimate the critical range of %NLeaf and the fertilization rates to attain the maximum forage accumulation. Population density of tiller was the main response contributing to increasing leaf and stem mass, leaf area index and forage accumulation as N fertilization increased. The FCI and NSI were unable to capture differences in %NLeaf, but NNI was a suitable tool to detect N status in Mavuno grass. The critical %NLeaf range varied from 2.75 to 3.07% and may be indicated to monitor pasture’s N status. The strategic N fertilization protocol suggested for the growth season after seeding is to apply 42.0 to 46.7 kg ha-1 of N at the first regrowth, 27.0 to 32.5 kg ha-1 of N during the two following regrowth cycles, whereas at the end of the season (April to May regrowth) only 22.2 to 24.7 kg ha-1 of N would be enough to sustain a maximum growth.

Traditional Nitrogen (N) fertilization practices for tropical perennial grass are still based on annual amounts, following flat N rates instalments. This strategy does not consider variations in climatic conditions along the growing season, their impacts on the plant’s demand and the soil N availability. At regrowth cycles where the amount of soil N released from mineralization or through animal excreta surpass the plant’s demand, most of the N may be lost (as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrous oxide), increasing production costs and environmental pollution. This paper examines current N fertilization and discusses possible gaps in knowledge for the definition of more precise fertilization guidelines in pasture-based livestock systems based on tropical perennial grasses. More precise fertilization practices, based upon site and seasonal-specific recommendations, will substantially contribute to the establishment of best fertilization guidelines. Sustainable approaches can be defined by combining the identification of regrowth cycles where high N rates are required, with enhanced efficiency fertilizers, and/or using grass species with the potential for biological nitrification inhibition. The lack of information on tropical grasses requirements, and soil and climatic factors driving the N fate into the mineralization and immobilization processes and how these factors affect plant’s N demand, still prevents opportunities for tactical applications and the establishment of best management guidelines.

ABSTRACT Computer vision systems based on digital image processing have been proposed as alternative tools to traditional methods to estimate leaf area, replacing the most time-consuming steps and laboring manual measurements. However, many of the available applications are still based on manual determination of leaf dimensions or require excessive and laborious user interventions before providing results. USPLeaf was designed to process images containing single or multiple leaves, and automatically determine the leaf area without user intervention. The accuracy for leaf area measurements of the software was compared to the results obtained by the standard method, an electronic planimeter (LI-3100). The vegetal species, Mavuno grass (MAV, Urochloa hybrid) and Macrotyloma axillare (MAC), were chosen because they are characterized by different leaf shapes. A smartphone camera was used as image capture device. When using a standard black paper square of 9 cm², both LI-3100 and USPLeaf provided accurate and precise results, with an estimated average area of 8.90 and 9.00 cm² and a standard deviation of 0.17% and 0.00%, respectively. The relative error rate for the vegetal species varied from -6.37 to 2.25%. The regression analysis indicated that the software was a precise tool to estimate leaf area (R²=0.983 for MAV and 0.977 for MAC), but it also revealed that samples inferior to 25 cm² for grasses and 15 cm² for legume species should be avoided. The software can be used as an automated tool in image processing aiming to determine leaf area from digital images.

The control of soil acidity through liming and the adoption of adequate management are essential to the maintenance of pastures productivity. The morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, in canopies with (0.7 t ha-1 and 1.0 t ha-1) or without liming and subjected to severe or lenient cuttings (stubble corresponding to 40 % or 60 % of the pre-harvest height, respectively), were evaluated throughout regrowth, during late spring and summer. Treatments were distributed in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, in a completely randomized block design, with 3 replications (80 m2 plots). Increased liming rates do not result in benefits to the herbage mass, tiller population density or a faster canopy recovering. The average tiller weight decreases, while the duration of regrowth linearly increases, with increasing liming rates, particularly in late spring. Stem elongation and leaf senescence rates increase and leaf elongation rates decrease from the 15th day of regrowth, regardless of the liming rates or defoliation severities. Post-harvest heights ranging from 40 % to 60 % of the pre-harvest height showed to be within the tolerance limits to defoliation of U. decumbens. The liming rates adopted had only marginal impacts on the morphogenetic characteristics of U. decumbens.

A adubação nitrogenada permite modular o crescimento do dossel forrageiro durante o período de diferimento. Objetivou-se avaliar, durante as fases inicial e final do período de diferimento, as características morfogênicas de perfilhos jovens, maduros e velhos da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu adubada com doses baixa e alta de nitrogênio (N). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcela subsubdivida, com quatro repetições. As taxas de aparecimento (TApF) e de alongamento foliar (TAlF) foram maiores em perfilhos jovens do que nos velhos. No início do diferimento o dossel sob alta dose de N teve maiores TApF e TAlF. No fim do diferimento não houve diferença entre as doses de N para TAlF. A taxa de alongamento de colmo foi superior no início do que no fim do diferimento. A taxa de senescência foliar (TSeF) foi maior com a alta dose de N, quando comparado à baixa dose. As maiores TSeF e duração de vida da folha ocorreram no fim, em comparação ao início do diferimento. O maior número de perfilhos jovens ocorreu no início do diferimento e com a maior dose de N. A maior dose N, parcelada durante o período de crescimento ativo da planta, antes do diferimento, favorece a manutenção de maior número de perfilho jovem, o qual tem maior potencial de crescimento.

Grazing management has been the focus of the research with forage plants in Brazil for many years. Only in the last two decades, however, significant changes and advances have occurred regarding the understanding of the key factors and processes that determine adequate use of tropical forage plants in pastures. The objective of this review is to provide an historical overview of the research with forage plants and grasslands in Brazil, highlighting advances, trends, and results, as well as to describe the current state of the art and identify future perspectives and challenges. The information is presented in a systematic manner, favoring an integrated view of the different trends and research philosophies. A critical appraisal is given of the need for revision and change of paradigms as a means of improving and consolidating the knowledge on animal production from pastures. Such analysis idealizes efficient, sound and sustainable grazing management practices necessary to realize the existing potential for animal production in the tropics.

Nitrogen fertilization augments tiller appearance and death, modifying the age profile of tiller population. Tillers from different age categories present distinct responses to environmental factors and management practices characterized by variation in their morphogenetic responses, which interfere in the dynamics of the herbage accumulation process. In that context, rates of leaf appearance and elongation and leaf lifespan were used as indicators to identify tiller age categories of continuously stocked marandu palisade grass managed at 30cm and subjected to nitrogen fertilization regimes using cluster analysis. Analysis was based on the average distance method using combined means of the response-variables studied, and the results used to build a dendogram to illustrate the arrangement of the resulting clusters. Three clusters were identified corresponding to the tiller age categories denominated young (tillers with age between 0 and 60 days), mature (between 60 and 120 days) and old (over 120 days). Discrimination of the tiller age categories according to nitrogen fertilization regime followed the same pattern of clustering. The fact demonstrates consistency and indicates the three age categories as reference for detailed studies regarding the ecophysiology of marandu palisade grass.

Nitrogen fertiliser accelerates plant growth and increases herbage utilisation efficiency in continuously stocked temperate grass swards, indicating greater herbage production and harvest efficiency. There is no similar evidence, however, for tropical pastures. In this study we evaluated the morphogenetic responses, the patterns of defoliation and the efficiency of herbage utilisation of continuously stocked marandu palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Marandu) maintained at 30 cm by cattle and fertilised with nitrogen. Treatments corresponded to four measures of nitrogen application (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha–1), and were assigned to experimental units (1,200 m2 paddocks) according to a randomised complete block design, with four replications. There was a seasonal pattern of variation in the morphogenetic responses and in herbage utilisation efficiency (HUE) characterised by higher herbage growth rates and HUE during late spring and summer. Nitrogen fertilisation increased both leaf appearance and elongation rates (around 60 % between non-fertilised and swards fertilised with 450 kg ha–1, p < 0.05), requiring higher stocking rates (average of 1.6, 2.6, 2.9 and 3.1 Animal Unit (adult animal weighing 450 kg) ha–1 for 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha–1, respectively) to maintain the management target. Although the frequency of leaf defoliation increased (with no change in defoliation severity - 56.1 ± 1.88 %), the leaf lifespan decreased, resulting in a similar number of defoliations during the leaf lifespan (average of 0.91 ± 0.069). This resulted in increased HUE only for the 150 kg ha–1 treatment relative to non-fertilisation (37.5, 48.1, 44.0 and 44.5 ± 2.25 % for 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha–1 N, respectively), indicating that with nitrogen fertilisation rates above 150 kg ha–1, there are compensatory mechanisms related to morphogenetic responses that buffer changes in utilisation efficiency.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the structural characteristics of young, mature and old tillers on continuously stocked marandu palisade grass maintained at 30 cm and fertilized with nitrogen. Treatments corresponded to three nitrogen application rates (150, 300 and 450 kg/ha of N) plus control (no fertilization) and were assigned to experimental units (1,200-m² paddocks) according to a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Measurements were performed during fall/winter 2007 and summer 2008. During summer, young tillers showed longer leaves and shorter stems relative to old tillers. During fall/winter, young and old tillers showed shorter leaves, while mature and old tillers showed longer stems. Tiller age interfered with the number of leaves per tiller mainly through variations in the number of expanding and senescing leaves during both fall/winter and summer. The structural characteristics of individual tillers are affected by plant age, with nitrogen favouring the production of leaf tissue in young tillers during summer.

Knowledge regarding morphogenetic characteristics has contributed to the understanding of plant responses to variations in climatic conditions and management practices. However, the original framework has been developed for temperate grass species, and indicates no ontogenetic effect on the expression of morphogenetic traits. Similar information for tropical grass species is scarce, but not less important. This experiment aimed at evaluating the influence of tiller age on the morphogenetic characteristics of continuously stocked marandu palisadegrass swards maintained at 30 cm and fertilized with nitrogen (N). Treatments corresponded to three nitrogen application rates (150, 300 and 450 kg ha-¹ of N) plus the control (no fertilization) and were assigned to experimental units (1,200 m² paddocks) according to a complete randomized block design, with four replications. The following response variables were measured during autumn/winter (Jun. to Jul. 2007) and summer (Feb. to Mar. 2008): leaf appearance rate (LAR), leaf elongation rate (LER) and the age profile of the tiller population. In general, LAR and LER were higher on young (< 2 months old) relative to mature (2 to 4 months old) and old (> 4 months old) tillers during both autumn/winter and summer. During autumn/winter swards were mainly comprised of old tillers (> 4 months old), the opposite happening during summer, when they were mainly comprised of young tillers. Overall, there was no N effect within tiller age categories. Tiller age was an important factor interfering with the morphogenetic responses of marandu palisadegrass, indicating that there is an ontogenetic effect on plant morphogenesis that should be considered further in future studies of this nature

Acceleration of the growth rhythm of plants using nitrogen fertiliser alters the rates of physiological processes like growth and senescence and may cause significant changes in sward structure, interfering with plant and animal responses. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate sward structure of marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) maintained at 30 cm under continuous stocking and subjected to contrasting rhythms of growth from January 2007 to April 2008. These were generated using or not nitrogen fertiliser, and comprised four experimental treatments as follows: control (non-fertilised), 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1 of N. Acceleration of the growth rhythm of plants was associated with increases in leaf and stem bulk density, and resulted in larger LAI and total bulk density on swards subjected to faster (fertilised with 300 and 450 kg ha-1 of N) than those subjected to slower rhythms of growth (non-fertilised or fertilised with 150 kg ha-1 of N). Variations in dead material bulk density were associated with seasonal variations in climatic conditions, and were not influenced by growth rhythms. During autumn/winter and early spring (dry period of the year) swards subjected to faster, relative to those subjected to slower rhythms of growth, had larger proportion of leaves on the top horizons. On the other hand, sward structure did not vary among rhythms of growth at times of the year when there was no limitation in the availability of climatic growth factors (late spring and summer), indicating that when control of the grazing process is efficient, changes in sward structure are basically a function of seasonal variations in climatic growth conditions and phenological state of plants.A aceleração do ritmo de crescimento das plantas por meio da adubação nitrogenada altera a velocidade dos processos fisiológicos, atuando sobre o crescimento e a senescência, podendo refletir-se em alterações importantes sobre a estrutura do dossel. Avaliou-se a estrutura do dossel forrageiro de pastos de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha) mantidos a 30 cm de altura por meio de lotação contínua e submetidos a ritmos de crescimento contrastantes de janeiro de 2007 a abril de 2008. Os distintos ritmos de crescimento foram criados por meio da utilização de adubação nitrogenada, segundo os tratamentos: sem adubação (controle), 150, 300 e 450 kg ha-1 de N. A aceleração do ritmo de crescimento dos pastos resultou em aumentos de densidade volumétrica de folhas e de colmos, refletindo em maior IAF e densidade volumétrica total em pastos submetidos aos ritmos de crescimento mais acelerados (adubados com 300 e 450 kg ha-1 de N) relativamente àqueles submetidos a ritmos de crescimento mais lentos (pastos não adubados e/ou adubados com 150 kg ha-1 de N). Variações em densidade volumétrica do material morto estiveram associadas a flutuações estacionais das condições climáticas, e não foram influenciadas pelos ritmos de crescimento avaliados. Na época da seca (outono/inverno e início de primavera), os pastos submetidos aos ritmos de crescimento mais acelerados apresentaram maior proporção de folhas no horizonte superior do dossel. Por outro lado, a estrutura do dossel não variou entre os ritmos de crescimento nas épocas de maior disponibilidade de fatores de crescimento (final de primavera e verão), indicando que quando o controle do processo de pastejo é feito de maneira eficiente, mudanças em estrutura são função basicamente de variações estacionais em condições climáticas e estádio fenológico das plantas.

The concept of sward target has been used recently to characterise grazing management practices, but its efficiency to monitor and control sward structure questioned since it corresponds to a single sward structural feature, usually sward surface height. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate sward structure and its patterns of variation throughout the year on continuously stocked marandu palisadegrass swards maintained at 30 cm and subjected to contrasting rhythms of growth from January 2007 to April 2008. Treatments corresponded to three nitrogen application rates (150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1 of N) plus the control (no N fertilisation), and were allocated to experimental units according to a complete randomised block design, with four replications. Sward herbage mass, morphological composition, leaf area index (LAI), foliage angle and light interception were evaluated. The increase in nitrogen application rates resulted in increased sward herbage mass, proportion of leaf and stem, and reduction in the proportion of dead material. These modifications were in line with the increase in LAI and reduction in foliage angle, although they did not modify sward light interception. Despite the wide range of nitrogen application rates used, there was a common pattern of variation in sward structure. Overall, changes in sward structural characteristics generated by the range of growth rhythms studied were small, indicating that sward height corresponded to an efficient way to monitor and control the grazing process and sward structure, and can be used to define targets of grazing management.O conceito de alvo de manejo tem sido utilizado recentemente para caracterizar estratégias de manejo do pastejo, mas sua eficiência em permitir controle e monitoramento da estrutura do dossel forrageiro questionada desde que corresponde a uma única característica estrutural, geralmente a altura do pasto. O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar a estrutura do dossel forrageiro e seus padrões de variação ao longo do ano em pastos de capim-marandu mantidos a 30 cm sob lotação contínua e submetidos a ritmos de crescimento contrastantes de Janeiro 2007 a Abril de 2008. Os tratamentos corresponderam a três doses de aplicação de nitrogênio (150, 300 e 450 kg ha-1 de N) mais o controle (sem adubação), e foram alocados às unidades experimentais segundo um delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas massa de forragem, composição morfológica, índice de área foliar (IAF), ângulo da folhagem e interceptação luminosa dos pastos. O aumento das doses de aplicação de nitrogênio resultou em maior massa de forragem, proporção de folhas e colmos, e menor proporção de material morto. Estas modificações foram coerentes com o aumento registrado em IAF e a redução em ângulo da folhagem, embora não tenham resultado em variação na interceptação luminosa dos pastos. Apesar da grande amplitude das doses de nitrogênio avaliadas, houve um padrão comum de variação na estrutura dos pastos. No geral, as mudanças nas características estruturais dos pastos geradas pela amplitude de ritmos de crescimento avaliados foram pequenas, indicando que a altura do dossel correspondeu a uma forma eficiente de monitorar e controlar o processo de pastejo e a estrutura do dossel forrageiro.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sobrevivência e a estabilidade da população de perfilhos em pastos de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha) submetidos �� lotação contínua e à adubação nitrogenada. Os tratamentos corresponderam a três doses de nitrogênio (150, 300 e 450 kg ha-1) mais o controle (sem adubação), e as unidades experimentais (piquetes de 1.200 m²) foram dispostas segundo um delineamento de blocos completos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados mensalmente as taxas de sobrevivência, o balanço entre morte e aparecimento de perfilhos entre morte e aparecimento de perfilhos e o índice de estabilidade da população de perfilhos, de janeiro de 2007 a abril de 2008, em cinco épocas. A taxa de sobrevivência, o balanço entre morte e aparecimento e o índice de estabilidade da população de perfilhos variaram com as épocas do ano. Pastos que receberam 450 kg ha-1 de N apresentaram as menores taxas de sobrevivência no verão, contudo, mantiveram a estabilidade da população. Maiores doses de N possibilitam alcançar balanço positivo entre aparecimento e morte de perfilhos mais rapidamente no fim da primavera. O nitrogênio favorece a renovação de plantas e mantém a estabilidade da população de perfillhos desde que fatores como temperatura e precipitação não sejam limitantes.The objective of this work was to evaluate the survival and stability of tiller population on marandu palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha) swards subjected to continuous stocking and to fertilization with nitrogen. Treatments corresponded to three nitrogen doses (150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1) plus control (no fertilization), and the experimental units (1,200-m² paddocks) were placed according to a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. Survival rates, balance between tiller death and appearance and tiller population stability indexes were evaluated monthly from January 2007 to April 2008, in five seasons. Survival rates, balance between tiller death and appearance and the tiller population stability indexes varied according to the season. Swards fertilized with 450 kg ha-1 of N showed the lowest tiller survival rates during summers, but maintained population stability. Higher rates of N allow plants to achieve a faster positive balance between tiller death and appearance in late spring. Nitrogen favors plant turnover and keeps population stability as long as factors such as temperature and rainfall are not limiting.

O capim-elefante é utilizado, na sua grande maioria, em sistemas convencionais de produção animal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o valor nutritivo do capim-elefante em sistemas de manejo agroecológico e convencional, quanto a proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS). Foram usados quatro piquetes, com 0,12ha cada um. No sistema convencional, o capim-elefante foi estabelecido singularmente. No sistema agroecológico, o plantio foi feito em linhas afastadas de 3m. Nas entrelinhas, estabeleceu-se a aveia e o azevém no período hibernal, enquanto que no período estival permitiu-se o desenvolvimento de espécies espontâneas. A adubação foi feita com fertilizantes orgânicos (150kg ha-1 de N). No sistema agroecológico, foram conduzidos sete pastejos, de 24/04/2004 a 05/05/2005. Na pastagem convencional, usou-se a mesma quantidade de N (uréia), sendo conduzidos quatro ciclos de pastejo, de 06/10/2004 a 05/05/2005. Para ambos os sistemas foram utilizadas vacas da raça Holandês, recebendo complementação alimentar de 3,5kg dia-1 de concentrado com 20% de proteína bruta, constituindo-se nos animais experimentais. Nas avaliações, considerou-se a massa de forragem inicial com base na matéria seca (MS), os componentes botânicos da pastagem e estruturais do capim-elefante. As análises de qualidade foram feitas em amostras de pastejo simulado. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos, convencional e agroecológico, duas repetições (piquetes) e em parcelas incompletas subdivididas no tempo (pastejos). Houve interação (PThe elephantgrass (EG) used as grazing is primarily based on the conventional systems. The objective of this research was to evaluate the pasture quality in crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and dry matter in vitro digestibility (DMIVD), comparing distinct forage systems (agroecologic and conventional). Four paddocks, each one with 0.12ha, were used in the evaluation. In the conventional pasture, the EG was established in singular form. In agroecologic the EG plantation was in lines with a distance of 3m between lines. The mixture of oat and ryegrass in the cool-season, while spontaneous species in the warm-season have been done in the space between the lines. The fertilization was done with organic fertilizers (150kg ha-1 of N). Seven grazings were performed during the experimental period from 04/24/2004 to 05/05/2005 (375 days). Using the same amount of N (urea), four grazing cycles were performed in the conventional pasture which was evaluated for 213 days (from 10/06/2004 to 05/05/2005) on the warm-season. In both systems, Holstein cows receiving 3.5kg daily-1 complementary concentrate feed were used in the evaluation. The initial forage mass based on dry matter and pasture components was considered in the evaluation. Samples from hand-plucking method were collected to develop the qualitative analyses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments, conventional and agroecologic, two replicates (paddocks) and incomplete split plot to the time (grazings). There was interaction (P

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar dois sistemas forrageiros manejados com vacas da raça Holandesa. Os sistemas foram constituídos por pastagem de bermuda (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers cv. "Coastcross") sobre-semeada com aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb. cv. "Comum") e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. "Comum") e aveia e azevém em cultivo estreme. Foram conduzidos oito pastejos (de 09/06/04 a 13/10/04 e de 02/08/05 a 29/10/05), sendo avaliada a massa de forragem pré e pós-pastejo, a taxa de acúmulo diário de matéria seca (MS), a produção total de forragem, a oferta de forragem, a composição botânica, a biomassa total de lâminas foliares e carga animal. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para os referidos parâmetros. A produção total de MS, a taxa de acúmulo diário de MS e a carga animal foram de 8467,9; 7105,7kg de MS ha-1; 54,1 e 69,2kg de MS ha-1 dia-1; 1050,8 e 925,5kg de peso vivo ha-1, para a pastagem de bermuda sobre-semeada com aveia e azevém e para a pastagem anual, respectivamente. Houve maior participação de lâminas foliares de aveia na pastagem constituída por aveia e azevém (P0,05) entre os sistemas forrageiros quanto à produção total de biomassa de lâminas foliares. Estes resultados indicam que o sistema forrageiro constituído por bermuda sobre-semeada com aveia e azevém, utilizada no período hibernal, pode ser usada em condições climáticas similares às do presente estudo.This study was aimed at comparing two pasture-based systems grazed by Holstein cows. The systems were sod seeding of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb. cv. Common) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Common) in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers cv. Coastcross) and oat and ryegrass mixture in extreme cultivation. From 06/09/04 to 10/13/04 and 08/02/05 to 10/29/05, in eight grazing periods, the pregraze and postgraze herbage mass, dry matter (DM) daily acumulation rate, total dry matter production, forage offer, botanical composition, leaves total biomass and stocking rate were evaluated. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between pasture systems for there parameters. The total DM production, DM daily acumulation rate and stocking rate were 8467.9; 7105.7kg of DM ha-1, 54.1; 69.2kg of DM ha-1 day-1, and 1050.8; 925.5kg of live whight ha-1 for the bermudagrass sod seeding and oat and ryegrass, respectively. Higher oat leaf lamina (P0.05) between pasture-based systems. These results indicate that Bermudagrass sod seeding oat plus ryegrass pasture-based used in cool-seanson can be used in similar climatic conditions of present study.

Objetivou-se avaliar o valor nutritivo do capim-elefante, quanto aos teores de PB e FDN e a digestibilidade in vitro da MS (DIVMS), submetido a algumas práticas agroecológicas. Foram usados dois piquetes (0,15 ha cada), onde foi estabelecido o capim-elefante, em 2001, com espaçamento entrelinhas de três metros. Nas entrelinhas, estabeleceram-se aveia (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) no período hibernal e, no estival, permitiu-se o desenvolvimento de espécies de crescimento espontâneo. A adubação foi feita com fertilizantes orgânicos (150 kg de N /ha). No período experimental (24/04/2004 a 05/05/2005), foram conduzidos sete pastejos. Os animais experimentais foram vacas da raça Holandesa que receberam, como complementação alimentar, 3,5 kg/dia de concentrado. Avaliaram-se a massa de forragem inicial, composição botânica do pasto e os componentes estruturais. Para as análises de valor nutritivo do pasto, foram feitas amostragens simulando o pastejo. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com duas repetições (piquetes) e sete tratamentos (pastejos). Os melhores resultados do valor nutritivo foram obtidos no período hibernal. Foram encontradas correlações negativas da PB e DIVMS e positivas da FDN com a biomassa de lâminas foliares do capim-elefante. O capim-elefante, manejado sob princípios agroecológicos, apresentou alto valor nutritivo e produtividade, tanto no verão quanto no inverno, possibilitando que a produção animal seja mais sustentável no decorrer do ano.The objective of this work was to evaluate forage nutritive value by determining the crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) from forage submitted to some agro-ecologic practices. Two paddocks, each one with 0.15 ha, were used in the evaluation. The elephantgrass was planted in 2001, spaced 3 m between rows. Mixture of oat and ryegrass during the winter period and spontaneous growing species in the summer period has been planted/left between the rows. It was applied organic fertilizer in the rate of 150 kg/ha of N. Seven grazing cycles were carried out during the experimental period from 04/24/2004 to 05/05/2005. Holstein cows receiving 3.5 kg/daily complementary concentrate feed were used in the evaluation. The initial forage mass, the botanical composition, and the structural components of elephantgrass pastures were evaluated. Hand-plucked samples were collected to analyze the nutritive value. The experimental design utilized was randomized blocks, with two replicates (paddocks) and seven treatments (grazings along the time). The best results for nutritive value were found during the winter period. Negative correlations between CP with IVDMD and positive between NDF with elephantgrass leaf lamina biomass were found. The elephantgrass pasture, managed under agro-ecologic principles, showed high nutritional value and productivity, both during the summer and during the winter, making the animal production more sustainable along the year.

O uso de pastagens do gênero Cynodon, em propriedades leiteiras do Rio Grande do Sul, tem crescido, especialmente na última década. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a dinâmica, a produção de matéria seca, a qualidade e a composição botânica de pastagens de Coastcross-1 (Cynodon dactylon x C. nlemfluensis) e milheto (Pennisetum americanum) cv. Comum, sob sistema de pastejo rotacionado, com vacas em lactação da raça Holandês. Avaliaram-se a massa de forragem no pré-pastejo (MFPP), a taxa de acúmulo diário de matéria seca (TAD), a produção total de forragem (PTF) e a composição botânica das pastagens. Para o milheto e a Coastcross-1, foram avaliados os componentes estruturais: lâmina foliar (LF), colmo + bainha (CB), outras espécies (OE) e material morto (MM). Na entrada e saída dos animais da pastagem, foram colhidas amostras por simulação de pastejo para determinação dos teores de proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN). Não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) para MFPP, TAD, PTF e PB. O milheto apresentou maior disponibilidade de lâminas foliares (PThe use of pastures of the genus Cynodon has increased, for the last decade especially in dairy properties of Rio Grande do Sul. This research aims to compare the dynamic, dry matter production, quality and botanical composition of Coastcross-1 (Cynodon dactylon x C. nlemfluensis) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) cv. Comum pastures. The pastures were utilized by lactating Holstein dairy cows under rotational stocking system. Pregraze dry matter availability (DMA), daily dry matter accumulation rate (DMR), total dry matter production (TDM) were evaluated. For the botanical composition, the structural components: leaf blade (LB), stem + sheat (SS), dead material (DMT) of pastures and other species (OS) were evaluated. Before and after grazing, samples were collected by hand-plucking in order to determine the crude protein concentration (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). No significant difference (P>.05) was observed to DMA, DMR, TDM and CP. Pearl millet presented greater availability of LB (P

While young ruminants prefer milk aroma and researches about this theme are being developed, the use of citric aroma, very appetized for older ruminants, are low utilized to young animals. This work aims to compare the influence of milk and citric flavor agents on the diets of nursing dairy calves. In this trial, 12 animals of Holstein breed were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (concentrate without flavor agent, concentrate with milk flavor or citrus flavor, and concentrate with milk plus citrus flavor agent) and three repetitions. The parameters evaluated were: concentrate dry matter intake (CDMI), hay dry matter (HDMI), milk dry matter intake (MDMI) and total dry matter intake (TDMI), average weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion (FC), initial (IBW) and final body weight (FBW), initial thoracic perimeter (ITP) and final thoracic perimeter (FTP), initial abdominal perimeter (IAP) and final abdominal perimeter (FAP), initial withers height (IWH) and final withers height (FWH) and animal behavior. The CDMI, HDMI and TDMI, as well as IBW, FBW, ITP, FTP, IAP, FAP, IWH and FWH did not show differences (P>0.05). The averages daily gain and feed conversion showed no differences, with means of 0.55 kg/animal and 2.09, respectively. The diets did not affect animal behavior parameters (P>0.05).Enquanto ruminantes jovens preferem aroma de leite e pesquisas sobre este tema são desenvolvidas, o uso de aroma cítrico, muito apreciado por ruminantes adultos, é pouco utilizado para animais jovens. Portanto, com este trabalho visou-se comparar a influência de aromas lácteo e cítrico nas dietas de bezerros na fase de aleitamento. Neste experimento foram utilizados 12 animais da raça Holandesa, distribuídos em um delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quarto tratamentos (concentrado sem palatabilizante e concentrado com palatabilizante lácteo, cítrico e lácteo mais cítrico) e três repetições. Foram avaliados o consumo de matéria seca do concentrado (CMSC), do feno (CMSF), do leite (CMSL) e do total (CMST), ganho médio diário (GMD), conversão alimentar (CA), peso inicial (PI) e final (PF), perímetro torácico inicial (PTI) e final (PTF), perímetro abdominal inicial (PAI) e final (PAF), altura de cernelha inicial (ACI) e final (ACF) e o comportamento animal. O CMSC, CMSF e CMST não apresentaram diferenças da mesma forma que as mensurações de PI, PF, PTI, PTF, PAI, PAF, ACI e ACF. O ganho médio diário e a conversão alimentar não foram diferentes, obtendo-se médias de 0,55 kg/animal e 2,09, respectivamente. As dietas também não influenciaram os parâmetros de comportamento animal (P>0,05).

Neste trabalho, comparou-se a sobre-semeadura de aveia (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) em pastagem de coastcross (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) ao cultivo estreme como métodos de implantação de pastagens de inverno em sistema de pastejo rotacionado com vacas holandesas em lactação. Foram avaliados a produção total de MS (PTF), a massa de forragem de entrada (MFE), o resíduo (RES), as perdas de forragem (PD), a taxa de acúmulo diário de MS (TAD), a carga animal (CA), a oferta de forragem (OF) e a biomassa de lâminas foliares (BLF). Para determinação da composição botânica, foram separados em cada espécie (aveia, azevém e coastcross) os componentes estruturais folha, colmo e material senescente. Na entrada e saída dos animais da pastagem, foram colhidas amostras por simulação de pastejo para determinação dos teores de PB e FDN. Não houve diferença entre tratamentos para PTF, MFE, RES, PD, TAD, OF e CA. A oferta média de lâminas foliares foi de 1,3±0,67 kg LF/100 kg PV. A sobre-semeadura proporcionou maior biomassa de lâminas foliares disponibilizando forragem com maior teor de PB e menor de FDN na entrada e saída dos animais da pastagem.The oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sodseeding in pasture of coastcross (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) was compared to oats and ryegrass in extreme tillage, as establishment methods of winter pastures under rotational stocking with lactating Holstein dairy cows. The total DM production (DMP), pre-grazed herbage mass, residue (RES), forage losses (FL), daily DM accumulation rate (DAR), stocking rate (SR), forage on offer (FO) and leaf blade biomass (LBB) were evaluated. For botanical composition, oats, ryegrass and coastcross were separated in the structural components: leaves, stems and dead material. Hand plucking samples for CP and NDF determinations were collected during pre- and post-grazing. The DMP, HM, RES, FL, DAR, SR and FO were not different among treatments. The average leaf blade on offer was 1.3±0.67 kg /100 kg BW. The sodseeding showed greater values of LBB resulting in forage with greater CP and smaller NDF concentration both during pre- and post-grazing.

The first use of the term “ecology” is credited to German scientist Ernst Haekel in 1866, who used the word to describe the total science of relationships between organisms and their environment [1].[...]

ABSTRACT Changes in morphological composition and in the plant population were evaluated during late spring, summer and autumn, in swards of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk in response to liming (C0.0, without liming; C0.7, limestone amount equivalent to 0.7 ton ha-1; and C1.0, limestone amount equivalent to 1.0 ton ha-1), which were subjected to severe or lenient cutting (40 or 60% of the pre-cutting height, respectively). Increased limestone doses did not result in higher herbage mass (HM), leaf area index (LAI) or proportion of leaves (%L) in the pre-harvest. However, lower proportion of dead material was registered in C0.7 treatment. The treatments C0.0 e C0.7 had higher %L during late spring and summer when associated to severe cutting regimes (R40%), although they reached the pre-harvest condition with lower HM and longer regrowth periods compared to lenient cuttings. The Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk modifies its shoot architecture during the growth season, indicating that lower pre-harvest heights are required during autumn. The absence of liming led to a sharp decreasing of base saturation and levels of K, Ca and Mg in the soil. The minimum annual amount of limestone required for B. decumbens correspond to 0.7 ton ha-1.