Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the tiller population density and its structural characteristics in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata subjected to deferment periods (65, 85 and 105 days) and initial sward heights for deferment (20, 30 and 40 cm). A completely randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme with three replications. The population density of vegetative basal and total tillers was influenced by the interaction between periods and initial heights of deferment, with lower values in the period of 85 days associated with the initial height of 40 cm and the period of 105 days associated with initial heights of 30 and 40 cm. The length of the stem and leaf blade of vegetative basal tillers increased with the raise in the deferment periods. Initial deferring heights had little effect on the structural characteristics of the tillers. The concomitant use of tall plants and long deferring periods reduces tillering of piata palisade grass. To optimize the tillering and structure of the deferred pasture in the region of Vicosa, piata palisade grass should be deferred with an initial height from 20 to 40 cm in early May and remain deferred for 65 days.
Highlights
The tiller is the basic growth unit of forage grasses, with development based on the successive differentiation of phytometers at different development stages from the same apical meristem (VALENTINE; MATTHEW, 1999)
Significant reduction (p < 0.05) was observed in the number of vegetative basal tillers in the areas deferred for 85 days associated with initial height of 40 cm and in the areas deferred for 105 days with initial heights of 30 and 40 cm
In the areas deferred for 85 days, the piata grass at initial height of 40 cm presented greater residual leaf area in the beginning of the deferment period, when compared with plants managed at 20 and 30 cm (2.74 versus 1.96 and 2.33, respectively)
Summary
The tiller is the basic growth unit of forage grasses, with development based on the successive differentiation of phytometers at different development stages from the same apical meristem (VALENTINE; MATTHEW, 1999). If the apical meristem is removed by cutting or grazing, there is usually death of tillers, and a new tiller may emerge to replace them. In this context, pasture height at the beginning of the deferment period may affect the population of tillers on pasture. 21-27, Jan.-Mar., 2013 and inhibition of the appearance of new tillers (SANTOS et al, 2009a) This can determine, at the end of the deferment period, a tiller population comprised mainly of older tillers, resulting in a response pattern contrary to the one that normally occurs on pastures deferred at lower initial height. This study was conducted to evaluate, in the winter, the population density and, in the fall, the morphologic characteristics of tillers on deferred piata grass at different heights and deferment periods, generating subsides that may aid in recommendations that are more efficient and adequate to the deferment of piata grass pastures
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