Abstract
‘Mavuno’ is a newly released brachiariagrass (Urochloa hybrid) cultivar with limited information available in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare forage characteristics of this cultivar and ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu] harvested at 2 different stubble heights during 2 growing seasons (January‒April). The study was conducted in Araguaína, TO, Brazil in 2017 and 2018. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of 2 brachiariagrass cultivars, Mavuno and Marandu, harvested at 2 harvest intensities, 5 and 15 cm stubble height, distributed in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Response variables were canopy height, forage accumulation, proportion of leaf, stem and dead material, and concentration of crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM). Mavuno and Marandu did not differ (P>0.05) in forage accumulation (mean = 3,800 kg DM/ha/harvest) and IVDOM concentration (mean = 637 g/kg); however, Mavuno had lower CP concentration (101 vs. 110 g/kg), greater proportion of stems (16 vs. 13%) and less dead material (4 vs. 6%) than Marandu (P<0.05). Harvesting at 5 cm stubble height rather than 15 cm increased herbage accumulation per harvest (4,100 vs. 3,500 kg DM/ha) with decreased proportion of leaves (77 vs. 84%) and CP concentration (101 vs. 115 g/kg) (P<0.05). Our data suggest that Mavuno is a useful addition to the range of brachiaria grass cultivars for sowing in tropical regions and further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term persistence of Mavuno under different management practices in a range of environmental situations. While harvesting at 5 cm stubble height rather than 15 cm increased forage accumulation but reduced CP concentration, regardless of cultivar, longer-term effects on the stability of these pastures with these harvest frequencies and heights are open to question and studies should be continued for longer periods to assess longevity of stands under the 2 management strategies. Applying maintenance fertilizer during the growing season might have prevented the marked decline in dry matter accumulation as the season advanced and this hypothesis should be tested.
Highlights
Brachiariagrasses (Urochloa spp.) are among the most commonly planted forage species in tropical regions, and Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha
While harvesting at 5 cm stubble height rather than 15 cm increased forage accumulation but reduced crude protein (CP) concentration, regardless of cultivar, longer-term effects on the stability of these pastures with these harvest frequencies and heights are open to question and studies should be continued for longer periods to assess longevity of stands under the 2 management strategies
There were no differences in forage accumulation between cultivars (P>0.05), but pasture harvested at 5 cm accumulated more forage than that at 15 cm (P
Summary
Brachiariagrasses (Urochloa spp.) are among the most commonly planted forage species in tropical regions, and Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha Marandu] has been one of the most frequently used cultivars in Brazil, representing approximately 35% of the total forage seed production in the country (Jank et al 2011). Palisadegrass is primarily used in extensive grazing systems that are subjected to relatively low levels of inputs such as commercial fertilizer and liming (Miles et al 2004). Despite the widespread use of palisadegrass, areas of Marandu have declined for unknown reasons in some regions of Brazil (Barbosa 2006). New brachiariagrass cultivars need to be tested to potentially replace Marandu in those areas
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