Tillering dynamics of digit grass subjected to different defoliation frequencies

Bráulio Maia De Lana Sousa,Jailson Lara Fagundes,Carlos Souza Do Nascimento,Alfredo Acosta Backes,Natan Teles Cruz,César Augusto Rizato,Pryanka Thuyra Nascimento Fontes,Luiz Fernando Ganassali De Oliveira Júnior

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2019.v54.00668

Bráulio Maia De Lana Sousa, Jailson Lara Fagundes + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2019.v54.00668

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Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the tillering dynamics of 'Suvernola' digit grass (Digitaria eriantha) when subjected to different defoliation frequencies. Four defoliation frequencies (interval among harvests) were evaluated - very high, when the grass reached 25 cm in height; high, 35 cm; medium, 45 cm; and low, 55 cm - in two seasons of the year, with higher and lower insolation, from January 2015 to January 2016. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used. The increase in defoliation frequency increased the number of generations and the appearance, mortality, and density rates of tillers, besides decreasing their survival rate, without changing population stability. At the time of lower insolation, tiller appearance and mortality rates were higher, while tiller survival rate, balance, and density were lower. The evaluated defoliation frequencies and seasons of the year do not change the persistence of digit grass when irrigated. Higher defoliation frequencies result in a greater renewal of digit grass tillers.

Highlights

The feeding of ruminants in Brazil is based on the use of pastures, which are mostly managed improperly
Tillering dynamics of digit grass subjected to different defoliation frequencies Abstract – The objective of this work was to evaluate the tillering dynamics of 'Suvernola' digit grass (Digitaria eriantha) when subjected to different defoliation frequencies
This inadequate management may stem from a lack of knowledge by the producer and/or a lack of consistent management-related information for certain forage grass species, such as digit grass, previously known as Digitaria umfolozii, but recently reclassified as Digitaria eriantha 'Suvernola' (Cook & SchultzeKraft, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

The feeding of ruminants in Brazil is based on the use of pastures, which are mostly managed improperly This inadequate management may stem from a lack of knowledge by the producer and/or a lack of consistent management-related information for certain forage grass species, such as digit grass, previously known as Digitaria umfolozii, but recently reclassified as Digitaria eriantha 'Suvernola' (Cook & SchultzeKraft, 2015). Digit grass is a C4 plant (Gusmão Filho, 2018), more commonly grown in Northeastern Brazil, mainly in the states of Sergipe and Alagoas (Souza et al, 2016) This grass is adapted to regions of low mean temperature, low precipitation, and soils with low natural fertility (Navarro et al, 2005), it appears to be responsive to irrigation (Oliveira et al, 2015) and nitrogen fertilization (Souza et al, 2016). Understanding the population dynamics of the plants in a pasture through alterations in tiller appearance, density, survival, and mortality (Silva et al, 2008) is important in helping to define more adequate management practices

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