Alexander Grass Research Articles

Leaching potential of S-metolachlor in a medium-textured Oxisol soil with bioindicator plants

ABSTRACT Information about the impact of herbicides in the soil based on the growth of bioindicator species is extremely useful in developing crop management strategies. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the leaching potential of the herbicide S-metolachlor under different natural precipitations in medium-textured Oxisol using bioindicator plants. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted, with four replicates and treatments arranged in a 3 × 8 factorial scheme [three indexes of precipitation occurred in the environment before the collection of the samples (50, 91, and 131 mm) and eight depths in the soil profile (0-0.03; 0.03-0.06; 0.06-0.09; 0.09-0.12; 0.12-0.15; 0.15-0.20; 0.20-0.25; 0.25-0.30 m)]. PVC columns were used, maintaining the original soil integrity during sampling after accumulating the stipulated natural precipitation. Longitudinal sections separated the columns to sow the bioindicator species (cucumber, lettuce, Alexander grass, and sorghum). The phytotoxicity symptoms of bioindicator plants were evaluated, adopting a phytotoxicity visual scale between 0 and 100%, at 5, 7, 9, and 11 days after seeding. The responses of the bioindicator species to the residual effect of the herbicide S-metolachlor were variable and depended on the rainfall level. Generally, in a medium-textured Oxisol, the higher values of concentration of S-metolachlor occurs in depths ranging between 0 and 0.06 m. The maximum leaching depth detected was 0.12-0.15 m with 131 mm of precipitation. Cucumber was the most sensitive species to the presence of S-metolachlor in an Oxisol of medium-texture since it presents symptoms of phytotoxicity at higher depths.

Periods of interference of Alexander grass on morphophysiological and productive characteristics of transgenic soybean

Periods of interference of Alexander grass on morphophysiological and productive characteristics of transgenic soybean

Forage intake by heifers on alexander grass (Urochloa plantaginea (Link.) Hitch) fertilized with different levels of nitrogen

This work was conducted to study the efficiency of using nitrogen on Alexander Grass (Urochloa plantaginea (Link.) Hitch) through information about the characteristics of the pasture and forage intake of beef heifers. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Santa Maria (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, UFSM) in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from January to April of 2014. The treatments consisted of doses of zero, 150, or 300 kg/ ha nitrogen (N) in the form of urea. The study used a rotational pasture method and 16 Angus heifers with a mean initial age and body weight (BW) of 15 months and 276 ± 17.4 kg, respectively. Forage intake was evaluated by treating two picketed test heifers with chromium oxide (Cr2O3) for eleven days as an external indicator of fecal production. The experimental design was completely randomized, and the measurements were repeated over time with three treatments and two repetitions per area. Crude protein content was 3.4% higher under 300 kg/ha nitrogen fertilization compared to 150 kg/ ha (18.7%). Independent of the N application rate, the heifers ingested 2.2 ± 0.09 kg DM 100/ kg BW of forage. Nitrogen fertilization of Alexander grass modified the structure of the pasture, increasing the quality and total production of the forage. Heifers pastured on Alexander grass fertilized with 300 kg/ha nitrogen harvested forage with higher levels of crude protein. The structural change in the canopy let the heifers reduce their consumption of forage at the end of the Alexander grass life cycle.

ASSOCIAÇÃO DE HERBICIDAS PARA O MANEJO DE PLANTAS DANINHAS EM MILHO

O uso de herbicidas para o controle de plantas daninhas na cultura do milho tem sido uma prática muito comum pelos produtores, sendo aplicados de modo isolado ou em mistura em tanque. Diante disso, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência, a fitotoxicidade, o efeito em características fisiológicas e produtivas do milho após a aplicação de herbicidas de modo isolado ou em mistura em tanque. O experimento foi instalado a campo, no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Como tratamentos foram utilizados de forma isolada ou em mistura em tanque o glyphosate, [atrazine+simazine], nicosulfuron, mesotrione, tembotrione, mais uma testemunha capinada. Avaliou-se a fitotoxicidade dos herbicidas ao híbrido de milho AG 9025 PRO3, a eficiência no controle de papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) e milhã (Digitaria ciliaris) aos 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAT). Aos 50 DAT aferiu-se ainda as variáveis referentes às características fisiológicas do milho e na colheita determinou-se a produtividade de grãos. A fitotoxicidade ocasionada pelos herbicidas não foi perceptível ao híbrido de milho AG 9025 PRO3. O controle foi eficiente nos tratamentos que apresentaram a mistura em tanque de glyphosate com nicosulfuron e tembotrione. A taxa fotossintética aumentou com a aplicação de nicosulfuron e mesotrione ao se comparar com os demais tratamentos. A concentração interna de CO2, taxa de transpiração, condutância estomática de vapores de água, eficiência de carboxilação e uso eficiente da água não foram alteradas ao se usar os herbicidas isolados ou em mistura. A aplicação dos herbicidas não interferiu na produtividade de grãos de milho. A associação de glyphosate com outros herbicidas demonstra ser prática favorável para melhorar a eficácia de controle.

Emergence flow of weeds as the result of temperature and luminosity conditions in hilly areas

Levels of weed infestation can be inferred from climate information since every species requires specific conditions for its germination process. This study aimed to evaluate weed species and their emergence flow in hilly areas, when subjected to different environmental conditions of temperature and luminosity. Two experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. In the first experiment, treatments used plastic films (no film; film just on top; partially closed film; and fully closed film), whereas the second experiment used black polyethylene covers (0; 35; 50; and 80%). Weed emergence in the area was monitored daily, until the establishment of the emergence flow. Soil temperature, solar radiation interception and soil moisture were also monitored. For the analysis of species subjected to every type and level of covers, phytosociological parameters and the emergence speed index were calculated. Data were submitted to analysis of covariance and, when they were significant, the Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to relate factors and experimental levels to distribution intervals of climate covariates. Increase of 8.5°C in soil temperature favors the emergence of crabgrass, while reducing the emergence of alexander grass, morning glory, beggartick and sida. The main species that adapted to decrease in temperature and solar radiation are sida, alexander grass and crab grass. Besides, decrease in radiation increases the number of magnoliopsida species and enables all species to establish faster.

Diurnal ingestive behaviour of steers grazing Alexander grass with various levels of nitrogen and feed supplements

Given the increasing availability of new cultivars with high yield potential, the use of annual tropical forages to improve cattle production systems is increasing and therefore warrants more research. The objective of this study was to quantify the influence of feed supplementation and nitrogen fertilization on the diurnal ingestive behaviour of crossbred steers (zebu x taurine), maintained on a pasture of Alexander grass ( Urochloa plantaginea ). The treatments included the application of nitrogen fertilizer at 100 kg/ha; at 100 kg/ha + supplemented feed of wheat bran (0.5% of bodyweight); and at 200 kg/ha. The study used a completely randomized design with three replications. The paddock size was 0.7 ha. Data were analysed by fitting mixed models. The times spent resting, ruminating and consuming water were not different among treatments. However, time spent grazing significantly differed. On average, steers given supplemented feed spent less time grazing (297 min/day) than steers without the supplemented feed (345 min/day). Steers in the pasture with supplementation showed a significantly greater number of daytime bites (2029 bites) than steers in the 200 kg nitrogen treatment (1715 bites). Supplementation reduced grazing time without altering other behaviour variables. The number of daily bites was lower on the pasture with the higher nitrogen level. Keywords: Feeding time, grazing, idle, nitrogen fertilization, rumination

Influences of nitrogen fertilization and energy supplementation for growth perfomance of beef cattle on Alexander grass

This study evaluated the influences of nitrogen fertilizer and energy supplementation cattle on the growth performance of beef cattle. This study was conducted at the Federal University of Technology of Paraná, Dois Vizinhos through continuous grazing on 6.3ha, divided into nine paddocks. The treatments were: Alexander grass +100kgha-1 of N (N100); Alexander grass +100kgha-1 of N+0.5kg per 100kg of weight live supplementation of wheat bran (N100S); and Alexander grass +200kgha-1 of N (N200), with an average herbage allowance of 10% for all treatments. Crossbred and non-castrated steers with an average weight of 276±41kg were used for 107days. The crude protein from entire plant differed (P<0.05) between treatments, with the greater value (14.8%) occurring in the N200, and the lesser value (13.3%) occurring in the N100S. The herbage accumulation rate was greater (P<0.05) in the N200 (55.7DMha-1d-1) than that in the N100S and N100 (40.0 and 39.7kgDMha-1d-1, respectively). The N100S produced greater (P<0.05) average daily weight gains (0.815kganimalday-1) than did the N200 (0.685kganimalday-1) and N100 treatments (0.727kganimalday-1).

Farelo de arroz integral para bezerras de corte em pastejo de papuã

The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of beef heifers exclusively fed alexander grass ( Urochloa plantaginea (Link) Hitch) or alexander grass and whole rice meal as supplement offered from Monday to Friday. The experimental design was completely randomized, with repeated measures over time, and consisted of two treatments and three replications of area. Heifers receiving whole rice meal exhibited higher average daily gain after day 42 of pasture use and a 21% higher body weight at the end of the grazing period. The stocking rate, weight gain per area, hip height, weight-height ratio, and body condition score were similar for heifers exclusively fed alexander grass and alexander grass plus rice bran. Beef heifers raised exclusively on alexander grass from 15 to 18 months of age reached adequate body development, reproductive tract score (4.22 points) and pelvic area (206.3 cm²) to be bred at 18-20 months of age.

Controle de Urochloa plantaginea com herbicidas residuais e performance agronômica de dois cultivares de feijoeiro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da utilização de herbicidas residuais, aplicados em pré-emergência do feijoeiro, sobre a redução da infestação de plantas daninhas e o desempenho agronômico da cultura. Foram realizados dois experimentos a campo, sendo que um tinha o cultivar UFT -06 (Grupo Carioca, ciclo curto e porte ereto) e o outro o cultivar IPR Graúna (Grupo Preto, ciclo longo, hábito prostrado). Os tratamentos foram constituídos da aplicação dos herbicidas pendimethalin (1,2 e 1,4 kg ha-1) e trifluralin (1,2 e 1,4 kg ha-1); e, dimethenamid (1,4 e 1,6 kg ha-1) e S-metolachlor (1,4 e 1,6 kg ha-1), e mais testemunha com e sem (TSC) controle. Nas áreas experimentais predominavam infestação de Urochloa plantaginea (papuã). Avaliou-se a densidade e a massa desta espécie daninha, e o número de legumes e a produtividade do feijoeiro. Trifluralin foi o herbicida que mais reduziu a infestação da planta daninha e aumentou o rendimento do feijoeiro, quando comparado aos demais produtos. O cv. de feijão UTF-06 foi mais competitivo com U. plantaginea do que IPR Graúna. Os tratamentos com herbicida reduziram a infestação da infestante, mas isso não resultou em maior produtividade do feijoeiro, quando comparado com o tratamento capinado.

Perfil de ácidos graxos na carne de novilhos superjovens da raça Devon, terminados sob diferentes sistemas de alimentação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile of meat of Devon steers finished in feedlot, or winter pasture (pasture of ryegrass - Lolium multiflorum Lam), or tropical pasture (association of millet pasture - Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke - and alexander grass – Brachiaria plantaginea). At the beginning of finishing the average weight of steers was 320 kg and the age was 15 months. A completely randomized design with three treatments and variable number of repetitions. The roughage:concentrate ratio from feedlot was 60:40. The lipid content of Longissimus dorsi muscle was influenced by the feeding system, the winter pasture showed higher lipid content in comparison to tropical pasture, while the lipid content of feedlot was intermediary. The tropical pasture showed intramuscular fat more saturated in relation to winter pasture, mainly due to the higher participation of C15:0, C17:0 and C20:0 acids. The feedlot and winter pasture animals showed meat with higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids in relation to tropical pasture, but there was no effect of the diet on the total polyunsaturated fatty acids. The winter pasture provided meat with higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and of omega-3 acids in relation to feedlot, while the tropical pasture did not differ from the other two treatments. Pasture finishing provided omega6/omega3 ratio more benefic in relation to feedlot finishing. The winter pasture finishing provided meat with intramuscular fat more benefic in comparison to feedlot finishing, mainly due to higher CLA content, higher omega-3 acids and lower omega-6/omega3 ratio. Tropical pasture finishing resulted in meat with intermediate nutritional value between winter pasture and feedlot.

Aspectos qualitativos da carcaça e carne de novilhos superjovens da raça Devon, terminados em pastagem tropical, recebendo diferentes níveis de concentrado

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carcass and meat characteristics of young steers Devon, finished in tropical pasture (association of millet pasture - Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke and Alexander grass – Brachiaria plantaginea), receiving different levels of supplementation (0; 0,5% or 1,0% of body weight). The animals had an average initial weight of 300 kg and 15 months of age, and were slaughtered at an average weight of 353.0 kg. Supplementation with concentrate ration to the level of 1.0% of body weight (BW) of animal provided carcasses with better quality (higher hot and cold carcass, and greater fat thickness, which resulted in lower cooling loss); carcasses more compact (less long, with better conformation and thicker cushion) when compared to non-supplemented. Furthermore, animals fed only pasture, showed a lower percentage of carcasses forequarter (37.6 vs 38.9 e 38.8%), with a higher percentage of muscle (65.5 vs 59.6 e 59.5 %), which resulted in greater relative muscle tissue: bone and edible portion: bone than those supplemented. As the sensory and organoleptic qualities, it was found that meat from animals supplemented with up to 1.0% of body weight, showed greater losses to cooking (24.1 % vs 18.0 %) and required greater force to shear the fiber (3.37 vs 2.05 (kgf/ cm3) compared to meat non-supplemented animals. However, the increased level of supplementation of 0.5% to 1.0% of BW improved palatability and reduced meat texture.

Desempenho de novilhos alimentados com rações contendo silagem de capim papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) x silagem de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

This study aimed to evaluate the parameters related to feedlot beef steers fed with Alexander grass silage or sorghum silage as roughage source. Twelve animals with initial average of weight and age of 245 kg and 20 months, respectively, belonging to Nellore (N), Charolais (C), 21/32 N 11/32 C, 21/32 C 11/32 N; 43/64 N 21/64 C and 43/64 C 21/64 N genetic groups were used. The ration was composed by a roughage:concentrate relation of 50:50 (dry matter basis), offered at ease. The dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber daily intake didn’t differ between roughage sources, being the medium values of 10.18; 1.28; 0.20; 4.96 and 2.51 kg/day, respectively. However, the ether extract intake by metabolic size and by corporal weight percentage were higher for the one that consumed sorghum silage, obtaining values of 2.74 and 2.36 g/metabolic size and 0.06 and 0.05 kg/100 kg of live weight. The same behavior was observed for digestible energy intake, presenting values of 364.87 and 302.83 g/metabolic size and 8.10 and 7.02 kg/100 kg of live weight. The daily average gain, final corporal score and feed conversion weren’t influenced by roughage type, being the values of 1.31 kg; 4.05 points and 7.78 kg of DM/kg of weight gain, respectively. The Alexander grass silage is a feasible alternative as its substitution in relation to sorghum silage.

Nível crítico de dano de papuã em feijão-comum

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram estimar níveis críticos de dano de papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) em feijão-comum, em situações onde a planta daninha foi manejada precocemente e ocorreu reinfestação, e avaliar as alterações que sofre em decorrência de cultivares de feijão-comum e variáveis explicativas da infestação. Foram realizados dois experimentos em campo, em Eldorado do Sul, RS, sendo um com o cultivar UFT-06 (grupo Carioca) e o outro com o cultivar IPR Graúna (grupo Preto). Os níveis de infestação de papuã foram obtidos com quatro herbicidas residuais, aplicados em duas doses cada, mais testemunhas com e sem controle de papuã. A densidade, massa fresca e massa seca do papuã foram avaliadas no início e no final do período crítico de prevenção da interferência, e o rendimento de grãos da cultura foi avaliado por ocasião da colheita. O nível crítico de dano de papuã não teve valor elevado nessa situação (0,4 a 0,7%); todavia, pode haver benefício em controlá-lo de acordo com a infestação e o custo de controle. O nível crítico de dano foi sempre maior para o cultivar IPR Graúna, em relação ao UTF-06. A densidade e as massas fresca e seca das plantas de papuã explicaram adequadamente a perda de produção de feijão-comum pelo modelo de regressão não linear da hipérbole retangular.

Redução da infestação de papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) no feijoeiro comum através do uso de herbicidas residuais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de herbicidas residuais, aplicados na condição de pré-emergência da cultura, na redução da infestação de papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) no feijoeiro comum. Realizaram-se dois experimentos em campo, em Eldorado do Sul, RS, sendo um conduzido com o cultivar UFT - 06 (grupo Carioca) e o outro com o cultivar IPR Graúna (grupo Preto). Os experimentos foram instalados em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, testando-se quatro herbicidas residuais em duas doses, mais testemunha sem controle da infestante. Esses herbicidas, com as respectivas doses (kg i.a. ha-1), foram pendimethalin e trifluralin (1,2 e 1,4) e dimethenamid e S-metolachlor (1,4 e 1,6). O controle e a massa seca da parte aérea do papuã foram avaliados aos 20 e 40 dias após a emergência da cultura, o que compreende o período crítico de interferência das infestantes. Os quatro herbicidas testados reduziram a infestação do papuã no feijoeiro comum em relação à testemunha, sendo os melhores níveis de eficácia de controle obtidos com trifluralin. Para se obter sucesso na redução da infestação do papuã com herbicidas residuais, devem-se combinar outras ações de manejo em pós-emergência da cultura do feijão comum.

Comportamento ingestivo de novilhas de corte em pastagem de gramíneas anuais de estação quente

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os atributos das pastagens de milheto (Pennisetum americanum) e papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) e relacioná-los ao comportamento ingestivo de novilhas de corte. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo, com dois tratamentos e duas repetições de área. O método de pastejo foi de lotação contínua e número variável de animais para manter a altura do dossel em 40 cm. As massas de lâmina foliar, colmo e material morto, a taxa de acúmulo de forragem, a relação folha/colmo, oferta de forragem e de lâmina foliar, teor de fibra em detergente neutro foram semelhantes em milheto e papuã. O papuã apresentou maior densidade de colmo no estrato de 0-15 cm de altura. A densidade de material morto no estrato de 0-15 cm e as densidades de lâmina foliar, de colmo e de material morto nos estratos de 15-30 cm, de 30-45 cm e mais de 45 cm de altura foram semelhantes em milheto e papuã. O comportamento ingestivo das novilhas, medido pelos tempos de pastejo, de ruminação e de ócio, taxa de bocado, massa do bocado, bocados por estação alimentar, estações alimentares por minuto e taxa de deslocamento, foi semelhante quando mantidas em milheto ou papuã. As equações de regressão múltipla, considerando os atributos do pasto, da pastagem e do clima apresentaram coeficientes de determinação acima de 0,70 para tempo de pastejo, massa do bocado, bocados por estação alimentar, estações alimentares por minuto, taxa de deslocamento e podem ser utilizadas como preditores do comportamento ingestivo de novilhas de corte em pastagens de milheto ou papuã.

Comportamento de pastejo e ingestão de forragem por novilhas de corte em pastagens de milheto e papuã

Foram estudados o desempenho, o comportamento e a ingestão de forragem por novilhas de corte em pastagem de milheto (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) e papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) no período de janeiro a abril de 2008. Foi utilizado o método de pastejo contínuo com número variável de animais. A ingestão de forragem foi estimada nos estádios vegetativo e reprodutivo das forrageiras usando o óxido de cromo como indicador da produção fecal. As avaliações de comportamento foram feitas por meio de observação visual, em quatro períodos contínuos de 24 horas. Os valores médios de massa de forragem, oferta de forragem e oferta de lâminas foliares foram de 3.927 kg/ha de MS, 14,6 kg de MS/100 kg de peso corporal (PC) e 3,36 kg de MS/100 kg de PC, respectivamente. As variáveis do pasto, o desempenho animal, o comportamento ingestivo e a ingestão de forragem foram semelhantes entre milheto e papuã. As variáveis da forragem, desempenho animal e tempos de pastejo, ócio e ruminação e número de bocados por dia apresentaram variação ao longo dos dias de utilização da pastagem. A ingestão de forragem foi de 2,49% do peso corporal e não variou conforme o estádio fenológico. Em áreas infestadas com papuã, sua utilização em pastejo proporciona desempenho semelhante ao obtido com milheto.

Profile of ingested fatty acids and in the duodenal digest of steers fed different diets

It was evaluated in this study the effect of the type of the diet on duodenal flow of long-chain fatty acids in steers. The tested diets were the following: conventional (feedlot diet composed of 60% corn silage and 40% of concentrate); winter forage silage - rye grass (Lolium multiflorum, Lam); or tropical forage silage - association of millet (Pennisetum americanum, Leeke + alexander grass, Brachiaria plantaginea). Six Charolais × Nellore crossbred steers with cannulas in duodenum were used in a 3 × 3 double Latin square. Dry material intake was similar among the groups (mean of 4,037 g/day), but the intake of total fatty acids and saturated fatty acids were higher in the group fed tropical pasture silage. On the other hand, the animals which received the conventional diet consumed higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids. Tropical pasture silage provided higher consumption of vacenic acid (C18:1 t-11) and the winter forage silage offered higher consumption of conjugated linoleic acid. The intake of omega-6 fatty acids was higher in the group fed conventional diet and for omega-3, intake was higher in the group fed tropical pasture diet. The total fatty acid flow in the duodenum was not affected by the diets, but in all treatments it was higher than the consumed one. The animals fed diet with concentrate show the greatest changes on the profile of fatty acids during the ruminal fermentation. Conventional diets provide the highest intake of unsaturated fatty acids and the highest availability of vacenic acid in the small intestine, but they do not increase the supply of intestinal conjugated linoleic acid.

Temperatura base para emissão de folhas e nós, filocrono e plastocrono das plantas daninhas papuã e corriola

Alexander grass (Brachiaria plantaginea) and Morning glory (Ipomoea triloba) are important weeds in annual crops. The phyllochron (time interval between the appearance of two successive leaves) and the plastochron (time interval between the appearance of successive nodes) are important parameters of plant development. Thermal time is used to express time in the phyllochron and in the plastochron, and in the calculation of thermal time the value of the base temperature is needed. The objective of this study was to estimate the base temperature for leaf and node appearance, the phyllochron and the plastochron for Alexander grass and Morning glory, respectively. Data used in this paper come from an experiment with maize sown in several dates, carried out in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, during the 2005/2006 growing season. Two plants of Alexander grass and two plants of Morning glory were left to grow in each maize plot. The main stem Haun Stage (HS) in Alexander grass and the number of visible nodes in Morning glory were measured on a weekly basis. Using the Mean Square Error (MSE) approach, base temperature was estimated as 3°C for Alexander and 7°C for Morning glory. The phyllochron in Alexander grass varied from 100.1°C day leaf-1 to 142.6°C day leaf-1 as a function of maize sowing date. The plastochron in Morning glory did not vary among maize sowing dates, with an average value of 38.8°C day node-1.

Alelopatia de cultivos de cobertura vegetal sobre plantas infestantes

This work evaluated the cover crop allelopathic potential of wheat, black oat, pearl millet, turnip and rape on the development of weed plants. It also verified which cover crop has larger control on the weed plants. The cover crop was implanted under conventional tillage (one disk plowing plus one disk harrowing) in the Experimental Nucleus of Agricultural Engineering (NEEA), of the State University of the West of Parana (Unioeste), Cascavel, Parana State. Monthly (from August 2000 to August 2001), weed plants identification in the cover crop area was made. Results showed that from the found species, the alexander grass was the one that presented larger allelopathic potential, and, the mexican-tea was the one that presented smaller control. The vegetable coverings that presented larger control of the total of weed plants in the experimental area, including those with recognized allelopathic potential, was black oat, rape, turnip and pearl millet.

Eficiência biológica de vacas de dois grupos genéticos amamentando bezerros puros ou F1, mantidas em diferentes condições de alimentação

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência biológica de vacas dos grupos genéticos Charolês (CH) e Nelore (NE) amamentando bezerros CH e ½NE ½CH (filhos de vacas CH), NE e ½CH ½NE (filhos de vacas NE) mantidos juntos até o desmame, em pastagem nativa (PN) ou pastagem cultivada (PC) de inverno (aveia + azevém) e de verão (capim papuã). Vacas e bezerros foram pesados ao nascimento, aos 14, 42, 70, 98, 126, 154 e 182 dias e ao desmame. A produção de leite das vacas foi avaliada na mesma data das pesagens, com exceção do nascimento. Quando os animais foram mantidos em PC, observou-se maior eficiência na transformação da quantidade de litros (EFLIT) (7,7 contra 11,0 L/kg) e matéria seca (MS) (EFMS) de leite (1,06 contra 1,47 kg MS/kg) produzido pela vaca em kg de ganho de peso do bezerro. Foi verificado efeito quadrático do período de aleitamento para EFLIT (y=18,222-0,141DIA+0,000463DIA²) e EFMS (y=2,341-0,0182DIA+0,000063DIA²). Houve redução linear, com o avanço do período de lactação, na exigência diária de nutrientes digestíveis totais (mantença + produção de leite) (NDT) (NDT/dia) para vacas mantidas em PC (0,004 kg) e PN (0,007 kg). A exigência total (parto ao desmame) de NDT (NDT/total) foi superior para as vacas mantidas em PC (1093,1 contra 1014,0 kg). Contudo, vacas mantidas em PC foram mais eficientes na transformação de NDT/dia (7,9 contra 12,5) e NDT/total (5,8 contra 8,2) em ganho de peso do bezerro. A quantidade de kg de bezerros produzidos/100 kg de vaca (EFKG) (0,201 contra 0,159 kg/100kg/dia) e kg de bezerro produzido por unidade de tamanho metabólico da vaca (UTM) (EFTM) (0,009 contra 0,007 kg/UTM/dia) foram superiores quando as vacas foram mantidas em PC. Vacas amamentando bezerros F1 exigiram mais NDT/dia (5,0 contra 4,8 kg/dia), mas foram mais eficientes para EFKG (27,1 contra 23,5 kg/100 kg) e EFTM (1,21 contra 1,05 kg/UTM). Nas vacas amamentando bezerros mestiços, a EFKG foi maior nas CH (28,5 contra 25,6 kg/100 kg). Quando foi considerada a EFTM, observou-se maiores valores nas vacas CH (1,11 kg/UTM) em relação às NE (0,99 kg/UTM), quando amamentavam bezerros puros, não havendo diferença quando amamentavam bezerros mestiços.