Pasture characteristics and animal performance in a silvopastoral system with Brachiaria decumbens, Gliricidia sepium and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia

Abstract

Grasslands are the major source of feed for ruminants (Zanine 2005). Seasonality of production, however, is a constraint in forage-based systems. Silvopastoral systems combine different components (animals, trees and forages) into an integrated system and may improve forage distribution across seasons. Resource use is usually more efficient both spatially and temporally, increasing land use efficiency (Nair 1993). Tree legumes present potential for silvopastoral systems because they can fix N from the atmosphere, improve cattle diets and lead to a faster N cycle. In addition, trees provide shade and may reduce heat stress for grazing animals in tropical and subtropical grasslands. Leguminous trees are commonly found in these climates and present potential for use in silvopastoral systems. This research studied the pasture characteristics and animal performance of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) in a pure stand or in silvopastoral systems with Gliricidia sepium or Mimosa caesalpiniifolia.