Abstract
The work was carried out to assess mass production and nutritional content of winter forages using lopsided oat (Avena strigosa) and white oat (Avena sativa) intercropped with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.). The species were intercropped as the following treatments: lopsided oat with ryegrass (LO+RG); white oat with ryegrass (CO+RG); lopsided oat with vetch (LO+V); white oat with vetch (CO+V); lopsided oat, vetch and ryegrass (LO+RG+V); and white oat, ryegrass and vetch (CO+RG+V). The study evaluated total forage mass production of each intercropping and crude protein levels, neutral detergent fiber and in vitro digestibility coefficient of dry matter. The results indicate that forage yield of oats was higher in early assessments, and ryegrass and vetch were higher in the final evaluation period. The crude protein levels and neutral detergent fiber were higher at the start of the experiment for all evaluated treatments, and those including vetch intercropped with oats showed an increase in these parameters in the final period due to the presence of vetch, which has a more delayed cycle.
Highlights
Cattle production in Brazil is traditionally based on grazing production systems, which are the main feed source for animals
The main winter cycle cultivars used in southern Brazil are lopsided oat (Avena strigosa), common oat (Avena sativa) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
Intercropping promotes improved diet nutritional value from the presence of the legume, combined with nitrogen fixation in the soil through symbiosis with Rhizobium genus bacteria (SILVA; SALIBA, 2007), reducing costs with urea application on pastures, as nitrogen fertilizers increase the cost of production (CARVALHO; PIRES, 2008)
Summary
Cattle production in Brazil is traditionally based on grazing production systems, which are the main feed source for animals. The main winter cycle cultivars used in southern Brazil are lopsided oat (Avena strigosa), common oat (Avena sativa) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). When intercropped, these species have great benefits on animal production, as they provide different usage periods due to their speed of establishment and growth/development stage (ROCHA et al, 2004). The intensification of cattle production and the search for improved results have motivated new alternatives for pasture management. Intercropping promotes improved diet nutritional value from the presence of the legume, combined with nitrogen fixation in the soil through symbiosis with Rhizobium genus bacteria (SILVA; SALIBA, 2007), reducing costs with urea application on pastures, as nitrogen fertilizers increase the cost of production (CARVALHO; PIRES, 2008)
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