Population density and tillering of andropogon grass submitted to different cutting heights

Paulo Ribeiro Da Silva,Daniel Louçana De Araújo,Clésio Dos Santos Costa,Maria Elizabete Oliveira,Jandson Vieira Costa,Ivone Rodrigues Da Silva,Rosianne Mendes De Andrade Da Silva Moura Moura

doi:10.1590/s1519-99402121092020

Paulo Ribeiro Da Silva, Daniel Louçana De Araújo + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1519-99402121092020

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the tillering dynamics and population density of Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, submitted to different cutting heights during the dry and rainy season. A randomized block design was adopted in a split plot scheme. In the main plot, the three cutting heights (10, 20, and 30 cm) were allocated, while the subplots included the following periods: dry (October, November, and December) and rainy (April, May, and June). During the dry period at the height of 10 cm, there was a higher population density of tillers, with 1298.44 tillers m-2. The appearance rate was higher in October for heights of 10 and 30 cm and in December for 20 cm. The 10-cm height provided a higher mortality rate. The survival rate and the stability index were higher in October, with 88.47% and 1.38, respectively. In the rainy season, specifically June, the pasture had a higher height (130.06 cm). The rate of appearance and the stability index were higher in April and during June there was greater mortality, while at the 20-cm height, there was less mortality and greater survival (85.71%) of the tillers. The 20-cm cut height provides a higher survival rate and lower mortality rate of andropogon grass in the dry and rainy season.

Highlights

The productivity and growth patterns of a grass are due to the continuous emission of leaves and tillers
Factors related to grazing management influence the processes of formation, development, and tissue death in the plant, and they determine the increase or decrease in the number of individuals in the ecosystem through changes in the population dynamics of tillers (BARBERO et al, 2015)
Knowledge and understanding of the growth and developmental dynamics of plants that comprise pastures as well as their morphophysiological changes in response to interfering agents and the search for greater and more sustainable productivity of pasture production systems is essential for management species of forage grasses that are not commonly used in Brazil, such as andropogon grass (SOUSA et al, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

The productivity and growth patterns of a grass are due to the continuous emission of leaves and tillers. This process is important mainly after cutting or grazing to restore the leaf area of the plant and allow the pasture to persist. A structural variable, is affected by changes in morphogenic responses and by the frequency and intensity of cutting or grazing. Adjustments in the defoliation process between the frequency and intensity of cutting or grazing generate different responses in production and nutritional value of forage, which can promote changes in the demographic patterns of tillering of forage plants (DIFANTE et al, 2008).

Objectives

Methods

Results