Forage sward structure of Mulato grass (Brachiaria hybrid ssp.) subjected to rotational stocking strategies

Abstract

The pasture structure is the point of origin and convergence of plants and grazing animal responses, which makes its knowledge essential in the planning of grazing management strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate and describe the variation in sward structure of mulato grass subjected to stocking strategies. The treatments corresponded to combinations between the postgrazing height (15 and 20 cm) and the pre-grazing targets (95% and maximum light interception during regrowth: LI95% and LIMax). Sward height, light interception, forage mass, morphological composition, and vertical structure were evaluated. There was no difficulty maintaining the set post-grazing heights in the pastures managed with the LI95% target, which was not observed in the pastures managed with the LIMax target, especially for the post-grazing of 15 cm. For pre-grazing, the LI95% and LIMax targets corresponded to the heights of 30 and 40 cm, respectively. Overall, the pastures managed with the LI 95% target showed a lower height and a lower forage mass with a greater percentage of leaves pre-grazing. For post-grazing, the pastures managed with the LI95% target displayed a greater light interception and a lower forage mass with a higher percentage of leaves, as well as a lower percentage of dead material than the pastures managed under the LIMax. Based on the results, we conclude that grazing performed according to the LI95% pre-grazing target (30 cm), irrespective of the adopted post-grazing height (15 or 20-cm), resulted in adequate control of the sward structure, and this management strategy provides good pasture growth with important features for maximum forage intake and nutrients by grazing animals.