Marandu Grass Research Articles

Relação fitossociológica de plantas invasoras em área de pastejo

RESUMO: A fitissociologia possibilita a identificação de plantas. Objetivou-se estimar de forma quantitativa as plantas invasoras de uma pastagem formada por Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Federal da Paraíba em uma pastagem de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu a qual foi implantada no ano de 2009 com fins de pesquisas na área de pastejo sob lotação rotacionada, totalizando em 28 piquetes. Foram utilizados 400 metros linear da área a qual foi dividida em 100 metros para obtenção de quatro repetições aleatórias na área total da pastagem. Foi utilizado quadrado de dimensão 1,0 x 0,50 m totalizando 0,50 m², para compor as amostras. Cada amostra foi escolhida em um intervalo alternado de 5, 10, 20 e 50 m de distância, totalizando 21 amostras, onze amostras, seis amostras e três amostras em 100 m, respectivamente, começando a ser contabilizado no ponto de zero metro. Foram analisadas dentro do quadrado amostral a quantidade de plantas invasoras e a altura do pasto por fitas métricas. Foi determinado a média, desvio padrão e coeficiente de variância dos dados coletados e realizado análise estatística pelo Software BioEstat 5.0, sendo analisado normalidade e posterior correlação entre as variáveis. Não houve significância do número de invasoras e altura do pasto em relação ao espaçamento da posição no transecto. A quantidade de invasoras em relação à posição do transecto foi observado que à medida que ocorre o aumento do ponto do transecto a quantidade de plantas invasoras diminui. À medida que a altura do pasto aumenta a quantidade de invasoras diminui, sendo inversamente proporcional, concluindo que o capim Marandu possui grande competitividade.
 PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Capim Marandu, Competitividade, Manejo de Pastagem.

Cultivated Pastures Affect Nutrient Intake and Feeding Behavior of Sheep

Cultivated pastures may increase the meat production of sheep, but it is necessary to understand the plant-animal relationships in a pastoral environment. This study aimed to assess the effect of forage cultivars on the intake and feeding behavior of sheep. Four treatments were evaluated, consisted of the cultivars Panicum maximum cvs. Aruana and Massai and Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Marandu and Piata. Twenty-four sheep, male of the Santa Ines genotype, were used with six replications per treatment. Daily forage and nutrient intakes were evaluated in addition to time in grazing, rumination, and leisure activities. The animals in the pasture of Aruana grass demanded the most extended times of grazing and rumination (p<0.05). The leisure time was higher (p<0.05) in the animals kept in pastures of Piata grass. The highest intakes of dry matter and crude protein in g/day (p<0.05) were found in the animals kept in the pasture of Marandu grass, and a smaller intake was found in the animals kept in the pasture of Massai grass. Intake of leaf blades was higher (p<0.05) in the animals kept in pastures of Massai and Marandu. The neutral detergent fiber intake did not differ among the cultivars. It is concluded that pasture structure and chemical composition of tropical forage cultivars influence the nutrient intake and feeding behavior of sheep. The low leaf blade offer of the pasture of the Aruana grass negatively affects the feeding behavior of the sheep, but the crude protein in forage of this cultivar favors the nutrient intake, feed conversion, and performance of sheep.

Seed conditioning process in the sanitary quality of marandu grass seeds

The purpose of seed conditioning process is to separate seeds and their associated structures into different fractions and retain only good and healthy seeds. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects the stages of seed conditioning have on the sanitary quality of marandu grass seeds. The seeds were sampled before and during the seed conditioning process, i.e., after exiting the air-screen cleaner and sieves (seeds discharged from the top, middle and bottom sieves), the first gravity separator (seeds drifting around the table, upper and intermediate discharge) and second gravity separator (upper, intermediate and lower discharge). The sanitary analysis was performed using the filter paper method with and without surface disinfestation of the seeds, which were incubated at 20±2°C, with a photoperiod of 12 hours for seven days. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2x6 factorial scheme (surface disinfestation x stages of the seed conditioning process) and ten replications. The data was submitted to analysis of variance, using the F test and, when significant, the means of the treatments were compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. It was concluded that it is not possible to improve the sanitary quality of marandú grass seeds through the seed conditioning process.

Cashew processing product as alternative energy feedstuff for grazing beef cattle under tropical conditions

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of replacing corn with dried cashew processing product (CPP) in dietary supplements on the intake, digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism of grazing beef cattle. Five Nellore bulls with an average initial weight of 359 ± 34.8 kg were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The animals were kept in five 0.32-ha paddocks of marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). Five isonitrogenous protein-energy supplements (310 g crude protein [CP]/kg of supplement) were formulated with CPP replacing corn at different levels (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00 g/g). The diets were supplied daily in the amount of 1.0 kg/animal. The replacement of corn with CPP caused a linear decrease in the intakes of supplement DM, total DM, CP and digestible organic matter, but did not influence forage DM intake. On the other hand, the substitution resulted in a linear increase in the intakes of indigestible neutral detergent fiber and total tannins. The replacement of corn with CPP caused a linear decrease in the digestibility coefficients of total DM, organic matter, CP and neutral detergent fiber and in the dietary concentration of OM. A linear decrease was also noted for N retention, microbial N synthesis, rumen ammonia N and blood urea N, while no changes were detected in fecal or urinary N excretion or microbial efficiency. Replacing corn with cashew processing product reduces intake, apparent diet digestibility, microbial nitrogen synthesis and nitrogen retention in grazing cattle.

Activity invertase and amylase in Marandu grass under shading and nitrogen fertilization

The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of invertases and amylases in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu under various shade and nitrogen fertilization conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using a 4 x 2 factorial scheme (shading levels of 0, 30, 50, and 80% and fertilization with 0 and 100 kg N ha-1). The activity of the enzymes, cytosol-neutral invertase (Inv-N), vacuole acid (Inv-V) and cell-acidic acid (Inv-CW), reducing sugars (RS), and α and β-amylases were evaluated (α = 0.05). The interaction was significant for Inv-N within the leaf. In the first cycle, the highest activity was in fertilized plants with 30, 50, and 80% shading. For Inv-CW in the 1st cycle, the highest activity occurred with 0, 30, and 50% shading. However, the interaction for Inv-V leaf activity was not significant in the 1st and 2nd cycles. The highest activity observed for Inv-V was in the fertilized plants, suggesting that fertilization increased the enzymatic activity. The activity of the invertases increased both under 30-50% shaded conditions and in full sun. Furthermore, invertase activity was directly linked to the osmoregulatory system. The reduction in RS was related to a low photosynthetic rate, and an increase α and β-amylase was associated with the use of reserve energy sources to meet energetic needs.

Effects of pasture type and level of concentrate supplementation on quality and fatty acid profile of lamb meat

Objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of grazing tropical forage species and level of supplementation with grain on characteristics of lamb meat. Ninety-day-old lambs (n = 36) (22.54 ± 2.72 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of pasture types (Aruana and Marandu) and levels of concentrate supplementation (0%, 1.5% and 3% of bodyweight). Water retention capacity, shear force, weight loss after cooking, pH, colour, and intramuscular lipid content of the meat were evaluated. A panel of 145 consumers evaluated the appearance, flavour, fat flavour, odour, and softness of the meat and provided an overall assessment. Supplementation at 3% of bodyweight reduced the luminosity of the meat. The appearance of meat from lambs that grazed Aruana grass was deemed preferable to that of meat from lambs that grazed Marandu grass. Total branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were increased when grazing Marandu grass compared to Aruana grass. Lambs supplemented with concentrate had reduced BCFA/kg of meat and its content of both monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids were increased. Supplementation with concentrate at 1.5% and 3.0% of bodyweight increased n-6 PUFAs by 16.8% and 90.0%, decreased n-3 PUFAs by 49.7% and 35.9%, and thus increased the n-6/n-3 ratio by 135.0% and 183.8%, respectively. Lambs that were finished on grass without supplementation had a more healthful fatty acid profile and received better scores for flavour and global appreciation. To improve the quality of fatty acids in the meat, the pasture system is recommended.&#x0D; Keywords: Brachiaria brizantha, lipid content, Longissimus thoracis et lumborum, Panicum maximum, sheep feeding

Impact of supplementation with different protein sources on the parasitological profile of ovine matrices and development of lambs

The aim was to evaluate the impact of supplementation with different protein sources from agro-industrial production on the parasitological profile of ovine matrices and the development of their offspring. The protein sources used were: soybean bran, cotton pie, babassu pie, and coconut pie. A total of 60 ovine matrices were used, with confirmed pregnancy and supplemented in the final third of gestation at 0.5% of live weight in pastures of deferred Marandu grass. The evaluations occurred from the final third of gestation and in the lactation phase until weaning. The data collected in the matrices were: counting of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and identification of infective larvae (Faecal test), evaluation of the degree of anemia by the FAMACHA© method, body weight (kg), and body condition score (BCS). In the lambs, the biometric measurements were taken from the 30 days of life until weaning. In Faecal test, the prevalence was 98% of Haemonchus spp. There was no effect of the protein sources for EPG (3476.0) and FAMACHA©. However, in the mats supplemented with coconut pie were observed the lowest body weights (36.9 kg) and lower BCS (2.7). Babassu, coconut and cotton cakes, and soybean meal used as a protein source in the supplementation of ovine matrices kept in deferred pastures of Marandu grass at the 0.5% level of live weight maintain the production indexes consistent with the physiology stage of the matrices even with a high endo-parasitic load.

Effect of sample size on kinetic parameters of roughage and concentrated feeds by a semi-automated in vitro gas production system

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different amounts of incubated samples on the kinetic parameters of in vitro fermentation of roughage and concentrated food used for feeding ruminants. Samples were prepared using 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg of air-dried roughage and concentrated sample, ground to 1 mm, and placed in 120 mL glass flasks. Next, inoculum and McDougal solution were added, and the readings were obtained using a semi-automated pressure transducer up to 96 h after the beginning of the incubations. Gas production of the non-fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, dried brewer’s yeast, bean residue, wet brewer’s grains, sunflower meal, and Jatropha meal; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage and cottonseed meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for castor meal and soybean meal. The degradation rate of the non-fibrous fraction reduced linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Napier grass silage, and castor meal; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Marandu grass silage; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for corn silage, soybean meal, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, bean residue, and cottonseed meal. Gas production of the fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, bean residue, wet brewer’s grain, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal; quadratically ( &lt; 0.05) for Jatropha meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, castor meal, and soybean meal. The degradation rate of the fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, dried brewer’s yeast, wet brewer’s grains; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for corn silage and castor meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, and bean residue. The lag time reduced linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for castor meal and dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, soybean meal, bean residue, cottonseed meal, sunflower meal, and Jatropha meal. Thus, our findings suggest that the kinetic parameters of in vitro fermentation were affected as a function of the amount of incubated sample.

Effect of sample size on kinetic parameters of roughage and concentrated feeds by a semi-automated in vitro gas production system

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different amounts of incubated samples on the kinetic parameters of in vitro fermentation of roughage and concentrated food used for feeding ruminants. Samples were prepared using 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg of air-dried roughage and concentrated sample, ground to 1 mm, and placed in 120 mL glass flasks. Next, inoculum and McDougal solution were added, and the readings were obtained using a semi-automated pressure transducer up to 96 h after the beginning of the incubations. Gas production of the non-fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, dried brewer’s yeast, bean residue, wet brewer’s grains, sunflower meal, and Jatropha meal; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage and cottonseed meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for castor meal and soybean meal. The degradation rate of the non-fibrous fraction reduced linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Napier grass silage, and castor meal; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Marandu grass silage; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for corn silage, soybean meal, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, bean residue, and cottonseed meal. Gas production of the fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, bean residue, wet brewer’s grain, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal; quadratically ( &lt; 0.05) for Jatropha meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, castor meal, and soybean meal. The degradation rate of the fibrous fraction increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage, dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles, dried brewer’s yeast, wet brewer’s grains; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for corn silage and castor meal; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, and bean residue. The lag time reduced linearly (P &lt; 0.05) for castor meal and dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles; quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) for Napier grass silage; and cubically (P &lt; 0.05) for sugarcane, Marandu grass silage, corn silage, soybean meal, bean residue, cottonseed meal, sunflower meal, and Jatropha meal. Thus, our findings suggest that the kinetic parameters of in vitro fermentation were affected as a function of the amount of incubated sample.

Supplementation level increasing dry matter intake of beef cattle grazing low herbage height

ABSTRACT To evaluate the foraging behaviour of yearling bulls grazing on Marandu grass, we conducted two experiments. In the first experiment (Exp. 1), three grazing heights of 15, 25, and 35 cm were evaluated, with bulls receiving 0.3% of body weight (BW) of supplement (161 g kg–1 crude protein (CP) and 20.1 MJ kg–1 gross energy (GE)); in the second experiment (Exp. 2), supplementation levels were decreased as grazing height increased: (1) low height (15 cm) and high supplementation (0.6% BW: 142 g kg–1 CP and 18.9 MJ kg–1 GE (LH-HS)); (2) moderate height (25 cm) and moderate supplementation (0.3% BW: 161 g kg–1 CP and 20.1 MJ kg–1 GE (MH-MS)) or (3) high height (35 cm) without supplementation (HH-WS). Ingestive behaviour was evaluated by direct visual observations, and intake using markers. It was used 9 paddocks each experiment. The experimental design was completely randomized, analysing effects by polynomial orthogonal contrasts (Exp. 1) and Tukey test (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, a linear decreasing response to daily grazing time (P < 0.01) was observed, whereas a linear increasing response to herbage intake (P < 0.01) was observed with increased grazing height. In Exp. 2, LH-HS bulls had lower herbage intake (P < 0.01) than their counterparts. Bulls from both experiments showed increased grazing activity after 12 PM (P < 0.05). The herbage intake substitution effect of supplements can be explored as a production strategy, as the adjustment of supplementation levels can promote high dry matter intake as well as performance in beef cattle, in conditions of low grazing height or low forage allowance, even with a high stocking rate.

Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Urochloa species under inoculation with plant-growth-promoting bacteria and nitrogen fertilisation

Ineffective management of pastures still constitutes the main problem in the Brazilian livestock industry, in which recovery of soil fertility is a determinant for soil restoration. In this context and in combination with the adoption of sustainable technologies, the use of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may represent an alternative to the use of chemical fertilisers that would reduce costs and environmental impacts. In this study, morphogenetic and structural characteristics were evaluated in three Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) varieties. Urochloa is a genus that is present in the most degraded pastures in Brazil. The three varieties were inoculated with five PGPB (Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5 and Ab-V6, Pseudomonas fluorescens CCTB 03 and ET76, and Pantoea ananatis AMG521) and treated with different doses of nitrogen (N) fertiliser (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha–1) in pots filled with sandy soil under greenhouse conditions. In general, for Marandu grass U. brizantha cvv. BRS Paiaguás and Xaraés, the best performances for leaf and stem elongation rates and number of basal tillers were obtained with strains CCTB 03 and AMG521. For U. ruziziensis, the best performance in the duration and rate of renewal of leaves and leaf senescence was observed with strains AMG521, Ab-V5 and Ab-V6. This result indicated the specificity of the effects of bacterial strains on different genotypes of Urochloa. Differences in the interactions between PGPB and N fertilisation were also verified. In U. brizantha, interaction effects were additive, whereas in U. ruziziensis, they were competitive. The results indicate the feasibility of inoculation of Urochloa with elite strains of PGPB that positively affect the production of forage biomass and allow reductions in N fertiliser usage.

Aging of biochar-based fertilizers in soil: Effects on phosphorus pools and availability to Urochloa brizantha grass

Water-soluble phosphate fertilizers release phosphorus (P) to soils promptly, causing P fixation and low plant availability in highly weathered tropical soils. Therefore, the development of strategies to improve P use efficiency is needed. We hypothesized that biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) can provide available P to plants and improve P use efficiency when compared with soluble fertilizers. Thus, triple superphosphate (TSP) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) were pyrolyzed with and without magnesium oxide (MgO) and poultry litter to produce slow-release P BBFs. A pot experiment under greenhouse conditions was performed to evaluate agronomic efficiency of BBFs compared with TSP in an Oxisol. The treatments were incubated over 100 days after the application of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg−1 of P. Three controls were used, including 200 mg kg−1 of P as TSP incubated for 100 days (named TSPincubation) and applied immediately before sowing (named TSPplanting) and a negative control (without P). Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) was cultivated in pots for three cycles of 40 days each. After cultivation, a sequential extraction procedure was used to determine the P distribution among different P pools. The shoot dry matter yield in the first cropping cycle was higher at the highest P rate for TSPplanting. PLB-H3PO4-MgO showed 9% increase in the shoot dry matter when compared with TSPincubation in the first cropping cycle. In subsequent cropping cycles, all BBFs promoted higher biomass yield when compared with TSPplanting. There was an increase in the labile and moderately labile P fractions in soil after cultivation with PLB-TSP. The results suggest that BBFs can enhance P use efficiency in tropical soils in the middle- to long-term run due to slow-release profile that prevent P fixation and promote higher residual effect of fertilization.

Productivity of cassava grown on Marandu grass straw managed through diferent grazing intensities

For cassava farming, conventional soil preparation is traditionally used. However, in recent years, some producers have been showing interest in adopting no-tillage system. We evaluated the cassava yield in conventional tillage or no-tillage systems with marandu grass straw, as well as the straw decomposition and the physical and chemical soil attributes. A completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates was used. The treatments were no-tillage (NT 0% - no-grazing pasture; NT 25%, NT 50%, NT 75% - grazing intensities to obtain an intake of 25%, 50% and 75% of forage mass, by animals) and conventional tillage (CT 50% - grazing intensity to obtain an intake of 50% of forage mass, before tillage). The soil tillage did not influence fresh and dry weight of cassava roots, with averages of 31.84 and 10.88 Mg ha-1. After 448 days of cassava planting, straw decomposition did not differ between treatments, with an average value of 53%. The half-life time of straw was 221, 218, 263 and 321 days to treatments NT 0%, NT 25%, NT 50%, NT 75%, respectively. We observed that soil physical quality was improved in no-tillage treatment NT 50%, when compared to CT 50%. The residual straw of Marandu grass did not influence the cassava yield in no-tillage, when compared to conventional tillage. Part of the forage available in the pasture can be used for animal feed, before cassava planting.

Production of beef cattle grazing on Brachiaria brizantha (Marandu grass)—Arachis pintoi (forage peanut cv. Belomonte) mixtures exceeded that on grass monocultures fertilized with 120 kg N/ha

AbstractMixed grass/legume pastures are an alternative to grass monocultures for increased beef cattle production in tropical climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of beef cattle grazing either a mixed pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu grass and Arachis pintoi (forage peanut) cv. Belomonte or a Marandu monoculture, under rotational stocking. Five trials were conducted over a period of nine years in north‐eastern Brazil where the sward structure (forage, grass and legume mass) and animal performance were compared for a mixed Marandu grass/forage peanut pasture, and a Marandu grass monoculture with 120 kg N ha−1 y−1. Stocking rate was adjusted to maintain forage allowance at 4% body weight/day. A block design was used with four replicates, and warm and cool seasons within each trial were considered, using repeated measurements over time. In the warm season, the forage mass in the mixed pastures was 17% greater than in the monoculture (p = .049), and the stocking rate, average daily gain and liveweight gain per ha were 16.4%, 20.0% and 28.7% greater (p = .004, p &lt; .001 and p &lt; .001 respectively). The average daily gain showed a positive linear relationship with the legume proportion in the sward (p &lt; .001). The mixed forage peanut/Marandu pasture sustained significantly greater beef cattle production (789 kg ha−1 y−1) compared to the N‐fertilized grass monoculture (655 kg ha−1 y−1). Appropriately managed, mixed pastures of forage peanut/Brachiaria pastures are sustainable and have high potential for use in the humid tropics.

PSIV-B-27 Late-Breaking: Effects of grazing management and nitrogen fertilization on Marandu palisade grass production in silvopastoral systems

Abstract Integrated systems have been gaining prominence in recent years, especially the crop-livestock-forestry, which, in addition to being an alternative income per area, increase fertility and organic matter content in the soil, and protect animals against weather conditions. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the management of pastures under such conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the grazing management and nitrogen fertilization in Marandu palisade grass consorted with Eucalyptus to obtain the greater of forage production. The experimental design was a randomized block, arranged in split-plot, the plots were composed of two eucalyptus spacing (12 x 2 or 12 x 3) and Marandu monoculture, the subplots were composed of the nitrogen fertilization rate (0, 100, 200 kg N/ha using ammonium sulfate). The higher DM accumulation rate was observed at 200 kg N ha-1 (69.29 kg DM ha-1 day), while there was no difference between the treatments without fertilization and 100 kg N ha-1 (P &amp;gt; 0.001). DM accumulation rate increased by 30.01% when fertilization increased from 100 kg N ha-1 to 200 kg N ha-1. Marandu palisade grass with 200 kg N ha-1 showed the highest production (28.82 t ha-1) independent of spacing. In the silvopastoral system, the greater accumulation of forage was observed when handled with 80% of the light interception (LI), corresponding to a height of 67 cm. Therefore, we conclude that Marandu grass in a silvopastoral system, without N fertilization, should be managed with a pre-grazing height of 60 cm and 73% LI. Marandu grass in a silvopastoral system, with 100 kg N ha-1 fertilization, should be managed with a height of 68 cm and 84% LI, and, with 200 kg N ha-1, should be managed at 80% of LI for the greater pasture utilization and development.

PSXII-4 Beef quality from animals in long term feeding with DDG’s in the diet

Abstract Dried distiller grains with solubles (DDG’s) represent an alternative to replace protein sources. The trial included 2 seasons: growing in pasture (Brachiaria brizantha, Marandu grass) for 5 months (wet), and finishing in the dry season (100 d). Two different feeding approaches were applied in the dry season: Express Feedlot® (EF) - high concentrate in pasture (1.5% of BW), or conventional feedlot (CF) - 70% concentrate. The pastures were divided into 9 paddocks totaling 9.9 ha (wet season). Sixty-nine Nellore bulls (12 mo; 249.03 ± 36.84 kg), were divided in 3 treatments: conventional supplement (CON) with cottonseed meal as a protein source; DDG’s replacing 50% of protein source (DDG50) or 100% of protein source (DDG100). In the dry season, the animals maintained the same protein source treatment (CON, DDG50 and DDG100) applied either on EF or CF. EF bulls (n = 33; 392 ± 33.18 kg BW) were finished on Marandu grass in 9 paddocks (3 by treatment). CF bulls (n = 36; 391 ± 35.2 kg BW) were confined in 9 collective pens (3 by treatment). Animals were slaughtered with the same age and the carcasses were refrigerated (0°C - 48 h). Samples were collected from the longissimus to determine pH, L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), CKL (cooking losses) and WBSF (Warner-Bratzler shear force). The pH, L*, a*, b* and WBSF were not influenced by finishing system (P &amp;gt; 0.05). However, CKL was greater (P = 0.002) in beef from animals finished in EF. The use of DDGS in long-term feeding replacing the protein sources in the diets did not influence the beef quality traits (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Animals in EF produces beef with the same quality from animals finished in CF. The use of DDG’s replacing protein source in long term feeding can be used without promotes negative impact on beef quality.

Rendimiento productivo de la recría de las hembras Nellore con diferentes tipos de suplementación

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of Nellore females in the rebuilds, receiving protein mineral supplementation, and energetic protein in the pasture of Urucloa Brizantha cv Marandu in the transition period-drought and its implication on the Weight gain of the animals. The study was carried out at the relic Farm, located in the municipality of Ribas do Rio Pardo – MS, Brazil, using 81 experimental days. We used 60 Nellore heifers, Nuliparas, divided into two batches of 30 animals, each lot per picket, in continuous grazing, with average body weight (BW) of 304 ± 82 kg and age of 18 months for weight gain evaluation. The animals received 2 nutritional strategies: Protein mineral Supplement (SMP) in the proportion of 72 g/animal/day (0.02% of PV), and Energy protein Supplement (SPE) 271.6 g/animal/day (0.08% of PV). Pasture samples were collected every 20 days in the experimental areas to determine the DM/ha availability of pasture, and to evaluate the chemical-bromatologic composition. The productive performance of the animals showed difference (P &gt; 0.05) in the final body weight, total weight gain and average daily gain, for the 81 days of the experiment, and the performance of the protein mineral was higher than the energetic protein. The forage mass observed in Marandu grass pasture during the experiment was 2077.5 kg, 1305.0 kg, 800.0 kg and 597.5 kg of DM/ago in the months March, April, May and June, respectively. The group of animals of the treatment with protein mineral supplement presented final body weight of 328.27 kg, total weight gain of 24, 96kg, Average daily gain of 0.308 kg/animal/day and the energetic protein supplement of 325.27 kg, 19.48 kg, and 0.240 kg/day, respectively. Protein mineral supplementation was superior to the treatment with energetic protein in relation to the final body weight of the animals evaluated.

Dynamics and stability of Marandu grass tillers in monocrop systems and babassu palm silvopastoral systems

This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics, population density of tillers and stability index of Urochloa brizantha in silvopastoral systems composed of babassu palm trees in the Pre-Amazon region. Four systems consisting of different densities of palm trees (80, 131, and 160 palms ha-1) and a monocrop were evaluated. The rates at which the basal tillers appeared in systems with 131 and 160 palms ha-1 were similar to each other and were slower compared to the monocrop pasture and the system with 80 palms ha-1. Despite the variations, the stability index was always higher than 1.0, which infers a compensatory mechanism between tiller appearance and mortality rate, since monocrop pastures and systems with 80 palms ha-1 have a higher rate of tissue turnover with high rates of tiller appearance and mortality; in contrast, the system with 160 palms ha-1 presents high tiller survival rates. Both the 160 and 131 palms ha-1 systems indicate impaired canopy renewal, as seen in the low appearance rate of basal tillers due to shading. As such, the tillering dynamics of the systems vary according to the density of palm trees, and the smaller tree densities favor the tiller turnover in the first generations evaluated.

Fertirrigação no cultivo de capim e a diversidade microbiana do solo do Cerrado antes e após a produção de biomassa vegetal

A fertirrigação é uma técnica de aplicação de nutrientes para plantas via água de irrigação. As águas residuárias domésticas (ARD) têm elevadas concentrações de nitrogênio (N), fósforo (P) e potássio (K), com isso surge a alternativa do reuso dessas águas como fonte de nutrientes no cultivo agrícola, reduzindo os impactos ambientes gerado por esse resíduo e diminuindo os custos na aquisição de adubos químicos na implantação das culturas. Contudo, as principais limitações do uso de ARD são a presença de sódio, e microrganismos coliformes fecais. Entretanto, estudos realizados na Universidade Federal de Tocantins têm demonstrado que o uso de ARD no solo do Cerrado para cultivo de capim tem baixo potencial de sanilização e sodificação do solo, sem alterações significativas nas propriedades físicas e químicas do solo e a biomassa vegetal não apresenta crescimento desses microrganismos. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as alterações na fertilidade e na diversidade microbiana (bactérias fixadoras de nitrogênio e fungos micorrízicos) do solo do Cerrado após aplicação de ARD no cultivo de capim Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu. Os manejos de irrigação utilizados continha 0, 20, 40 e 60 % (m/v) de fertilizantes NPK oriundos de ARD que foi aplicado após o crescimento da plântula. As composições químicas e a diversidade microbiana foram determinadas nas amostras do solo. Nas amostras da planta determinou-se a massa seca e o potencial nutricional do capim. A adição de ARD alterou a abundância bactérias e fungos, mas a diversidade não teve alterações. Esse resultado pode ser devido à maior disponibilidade de NPK no solo. Não foram observadas alterações na composição nutricional do capim após a fertirrigação. Portanto, a ARD tem potencial para ser utilizado na fertirrigação de capim em solo do Cerrado.

Yield of sorghum silage intercropped with pigeon pea and marandu grass in two spacings and chemical composition before and after ensiling

The aim of the present study was to evaluate yield of sorghum grown either solely (monoculture) or intercropped with Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu and pigeon pea cv. BRS Mandarin in two spacings. The experiment was carried out in field condition and the experimental design was in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of two sorghum spacings, combined with four forms of cultivation as follows: (T1) sorghum as a monoculture (SOR); (T2) sorghum intercropped with marandu grass (SMG); (T3) sorghum intercropped with pigeon pea (SPP); and (T4) sorghum intercropped with marandu grass and pigeon pea (SMP). The evaluated traits were: sorghum height, stem diameter of sorghum, number of sorghum leaves, and a ratio sorghum/pigeon pea /marandu grass. The data were submitted to the statistical program SISVAR, and averages compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The 0.45 m spacing between rows provided higher silage yield in relation to 0.90 m between sorghum rows. The highest silage yield was produced at 0.45 m spacing between rows for single sorghum and triple intercropped (T4). The triple intercropped (sorghum + pigeon + marandu grass brachiaria) did not affect silage yield with the advantage of 10% of a legume in the final composition.