Abstract
Morphogenetic, structural variables and leaf biomass flows of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were evaluated under two stocking rates: 'Low' and 'High'. These rates were determined by heifers exclusively on pasture or on pasture and supplemented with corn grain. The experimental design was completely randomized following a repeated measure arrangement, two stocking rates, two and four replications of area for the stocking rates 'low' and 'high', respectively. The morphogenetic variables, the number of green leaves and tiller density were similar in both stocking rates. Leaf senescence rate was higher with low stocking rate. Heifers grazed with similar intensity and frequency in both stocking rates. The increase by 33.6% in the stocking rate caused by the use of supplement does not change the leaf biomass flow of Italian ryegrass, but alters its potential efficiency of use near the reproductive stage of the plant.
Highlights
Concentrated supplements can be offered to beef heifers to increase individual and per area weight gain, characterizing addition and substitution in the consumption of forage and supplement (Farias et al, 2012)
The average temperature of the experimental period was similar to the historical average
The increase in stocking rate resulting from the use of supplements was 33.6%
Summary
Concentrated supplements can be offered to beef heifers to increase individual and per area weight gain, characterizing addition and substitution in the consumption of forage and supplement (Farias et al, 2012). Monitoring the characteristics of leaf tissue flows dynamics enables to describe the pastoral environment resulting from the changes caused by the action of the herbivorous. Elucidation of these characteristics is especially important when there is an increase in stocking rate due to the use of supplements, since their use is growing in pastoral systems. This study was conducted to characterize the morphogenetic response and to assess the dynamics of leaf tissue flows in ryegrass grazed by beef heifers under different stocking rates caused by the supply of supplements to grazing animals
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