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Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate forage production and nutritional quality of the elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea beans, grown in monocrop or in intercropping systems in Cerrado / Pantanal ecotones in both, dry and rainy, seasons. Experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and five repetitions. The treatments were: elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea all of these in monocrop; intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena; intercropping elephant grass with pigeon pea. During the rainy season, it was carried out three cuts at intervals of 60 days, and in the dry season a single cut with 180 days. In the rainy season, the biomass produced of the forages elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea corresponded respectively to 72, 64, 76% of the annual production. Under intercropping system, fodder behaves similarly, with the average of 72% of annual production. During this period, the nutritional quality of the forages was also higher than the dry season. In the dry period, there was decreased the production of biomass and a reduction in the proportion of leaves in all the forage, regardless of cultivation system. In both seasons (rainy and dry), the forage grown under intercropping system showed higher dry matter production in relation to monocrop system, with most of this production coming of elephant grass. The intercropping elephant grass with the pigeon pea has the highest production of dry matter, while the intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena has better nutritional quality.
Highlights
Pastures represent the most economical way to feed cattle, and may be able to influence the costs involved with the herd
Among the tropical grasses used for this purpose, the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) stands out for its high dry matter production (Dm) per unit area, good nutritional value when harvested in appropriate age and good palatability, and resistance to unfavorable weather conditions, especially drought (CARNEIRO et al, 2006)
For the pigeon pea was the reverse, being observed a similarity in the mineral content in stems fractions. In both seasons, the forage grown in intercropping system showed higher dry matter production to monocrop system, with most of this production coming of elephant grass
Summary
Pastures represent the most economical way to feed cattle, and may be able to influence the costs involved with the herd. Good pastures substantially reduce substantially the need for concentrated supplements, which may increase the economic efficiency of the production system in turn (OLIVEIRA et al, 2014). There is weight loss and increased in the productivity of animals. In this context, grasses are essential because it is a way for maintaining the nutritional balance of the animals. Among the tropical grasses used for this purpose, the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) stands out for its high dry matter production (Dm) per unit area, good nutritional value when harvested in appropriate age and good palatability, and resistance to unfavorable weather conditions, especially drought (CARNEIRO et al, 2006)
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