Growth analysis of Cynodon grasses in response to harvest frequency

The objectives of this study were to analyze the effect of three harvest frequencies (14; 28 and 42 days) in three cultivars of Cynodon (Tifton 85, Jiggs and Vaquero) for two seasons (summer and winter), through growth analysis. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. Harvesting every 42 days resulted in higher Culture Growth Rate - CGR (30.9 g DM/m2/day) in the summer. In winter the CGR was higher under the 14 (11.6 g DM/m2/day) and the 28 days after cut (11.1 g DM/m2/day). Higher Relative Growth Rate - RGR occured at 28 (0.26 g/g/day) and 42 days (0.32 g/g/day) frequencies also in the summer. In the winter higher RGR was observed in the 28 days schedule (0.21 g/g/day). Higher Leaf Area Ratio - LAR and Leaf Weight Ratio - LWR occurred at the 28 days frequency in the summer. Cultivars did not differ in any of the parameters. Only the Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) in the summer, was higher in Vaquero than in the other cultivars. All three grasses harvested every 28 days produced more when the goal was to produce forage with a higher leaf proportion.