Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Brachiariagrasses and Tifton 85 Bermudagrass as Affected by Harvest Frequency and Irrigation

Abstract

Brachiaria and Cynodon are important pasture grasses in Brazil. Convert HD 364 (Dow AgroSciences, São Paulo, Brazil) brachiariagrass (Brachiaria hybrid CIAT 36087; also known as Mulato II) is a new hybrid released for use in a broad range of environments. It has high nutritive value and yield, but there are no year‐round comparisons, including the dry season, with other pasture grasses. Forage accumulation and crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations were evaluated for Convert HD 364, Marandu palisadegrass {B. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf]; CIAT 6297}, and Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) during dry and rainy seasons from 2011 to 2013. Irrigated and rainfed plots were harvested every 28 and 42 d. Convert HD 364 had similar or greater forage accumulation (17.9–22.8 Mg DM ha−1) than Marandu and Tifton 85 (15% greater than Marandu and 12% greater than Tifton 85 when irrigated and harvested every 28 d). Tifton 85 CP concentration was 140 g kg−1, greater than that of the other grasses when harvested every 28 d and irrigated. Convert HD 364 (537 g kg−1) NDF concentration was least, regardless of irrigation, harvest frequency, or season. This was associated with IVDOM concentration greater than 650 g kg−1, similar to that of Marandu. Convert HD 364 is a viable option for diversification of pasture‐based animal production systems in tropical areas due to high forage accumulation and nutritive value when fertilized and well managed.