Population dynamics and structural characteristics of 'Survenola' digit grass subjected to intermittent defoliation strategies

Pryanka Thuyra Nascimento Fontes,Gilmartins Alves Nascimento,Alfredo Acosta Backes,Rafaela Stefanny Rodrigues Florêncio,Luiz Fernando Ganassali De Oliveira Júnior,Jailson Lara Fagundes,Bráulio Maia De Lana Sousa,Anna Luiza Hora Dos Santos

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2020.v55.01602

Pryanka Thuyra Nascimento Fontes, Gilmartins Alves Nascimento + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2020.v55.01602

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Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of defoliation strategies and insolation periods on the population dynamics and structural characteristics of Digitaria eriantha 'Survenola'. The following four defoliation strategies (DSs) were evaluated: 40/10, 40/20, 50/10, and 50/20 cm (that is, 40 and 50 cm pre-defoliation height, and 10 and 20 cm post-defoliation height), under high- (September to March) and low- (April to August) insolation periods. An experimental randomized complete block design was carried out with five replicates. The accumulation of forage and leaf blade was higher when using the DS 40/20 cm in the higher insolation period. DSs 40/10, 50/10, and 50/20 cm resulted in a higher stem accumulation than DS 40/20 cm. 'Survenola' grass showed a higher appearance rate for basal and aerial tillers using the 40/10 and 40/20 cm strategies, respectively, during the lower insolation period. Greater tiller densities (basal, aerial, and total) were observed in the DS 40/20 cm in the higher insolation period. DS 40/20 cm resulted in a greater tiller renewal. In the DS 40/20 cm, 'Survenola' grass shows the greatest number of defoliation cycles, the highest density of tillers, and the greatest accumulation of forage and leaf blade.

Highlights

Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de estratégias de desfolhação e períodos de insolação sobre a dinâmica populacional de perfilhos e as características estruturais de Digitaria eriantha 'Survenola'
It can be observed that no age cohort stood out in the proposed defoliation strategies
Appearance, mortality, survival, and basal and aerial stability of tillers were affected by the interaction between defoliation strategies and insolation periods (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de estratégias de desfolhação e períodos de insolação sobre a dinâmica populacional de perfilhos e as características estruturais de Digitaria eriantha 'Survenola'. O capim 'Survenola' mostrou maior taxa de aparecimento de perfilhos basais e aéreos, quando se utilizaram as estratégias 40/10 e 40/20 cm, respectivamente, durante o período de menor insolação. 'Survenola' digit grass is a perennial forage plant that shows a cespitous and stoloniferous growth with vegetative propagation (Cook & Schultze-Kraft, 2015) This plant is currently used in pasture systems, especially in the states of Alagoas and Sergipe in the Northeastern Brazil (Souza et al, 2016). Determining the residue height of forage grasses is important to identify the adequate management to allow of the maintenance of pasture, and the best growth conditions for the plants For species such as Digitaria eriantha Steud 'Survenola', commonly known as 'Survenola' digit grass, the combination of pre- and post-defoliation strategies are yet to be defined. The objective of this work was to evaluate the population dynamics and structural characteristics of 'Survenola' digit grass tillers subjected to four defoliation strategies under high and low insolation periods

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