Abstract
Management evaluation of Panicum maximum cv. massai (Massai guineagrass) under deferment contributes as a strategic reserve of forage in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The objective of this study was to evaluate biomass production and nutritive value of massai guineagrass in an area of thinned caatinga vegetation in two deferment periods (60 and 90 days after plot-leveling cut) and four use periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the end of the rain season), in a random blocks design arranged in a split-plot (2 × 4), with three replications. Extending the deferment period of massai guineagrass promoted elevation of the biomass components, but compromised the pasture quality due to increasing stem biomass. The massai guineagrass deferred 30 days after raining season started and should use 90 days after raining season ended to ensure a forage supply of appropriate nutritional value. The increase in relative air humidity and the occurrence of rainfall after water restriction stimulate regrowth, resulting in improved nutritional value of the grass.
Highlights
The production of forage plants in the semi-arid region is seasonal as a result of the short rainy period and the long dry season
This study identified the period of deferment and the use of massai guineagrass that offer forage in quantity and quality for grazing use
The experiment was conducted in an area of thinned and enriched caatinga with massai guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. massai) at Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil)
Summary
The production of forage plants in the semi-arid region is seasonal as a result of the short rainy period and the long dry season. In arid and semi-arid regions, during eight months of dry period on average, the roughage source available to ruminants consists basically of leaves fallen from the trees and bushes. Some management actions can be adopted to reduce the negative effects of forage of low quantity and poor quality in the dry season. For example, emerges as a feasible alternative for using in semi-arid regions due to its low cost and ease adoption. This technique consists of reserving a given area during the rainy season, allowing the accumulated forage to be used during the dry period
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