Marandu Palisadegrass Research Articles

Forage nutritive value of Marandu palisade grass under clipping in a silvopastoral system

Forage nutritive value of Marandu palisade grass under clipping in a silvopastoral system

Performance, nutrient use, and methanogenesis of Nellore cattle on a continuous grazing system of Urochloa brizantha and fed supplement types varying on protein and energy sources

Supplementation of grazing cattle may improve forage utilization, methane emission and efficiency of nutrients use. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different supllementation strategies on performance, metabolic parameters and methane emission in Nellore cattle reared on well-managed marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv Marandu) pastures. Three supplementation strategies consisted of protein and energy sources from traditional ingredients compared to a novel feedstuff: TS) Traditional supplement (protein-energy) composed of ground corn and soybean meal; ES) energy supplement composed of ground corn; and DS) Distiller's coproduct supplement (protein-energy) composed of ground corn and dried distiller grain (DDG). All supplements were offered at 0.3% of body weight (BW). Sixty-nine growing Nellore bulls [251 kg of body weight (BW) ± 13.0 kg] were randomly distributed according to initial BW in nine paddocks (twenty-three animals per treatment, three paddocks per treatment) to evaluate liveweight gain. From these, eighteen bulls (381.83 kg BW ± 16.15 kg) were selected for methane emission measurements (six animals per treatment) using sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique. Six rumen cannulated steers (289.5 kg BW ± 19.6 kg) across six paddocks (two per treatment) were used in an incomplete double Latin square design (3 treatments x 4 periods) to evaluate metabolic parameters. Statistical analyses were done using the Mixed Procedure in SAS and adopting significance level at 5%. It was hypothesized that the use of DS or ES, could increase the N use efficiency because of a higher rumen undegradable protein content, and more energy available for microbial synthesis in the rumen, respectively. Overall, there were no differences on animal performance, intake, nutrients digestibility, ruminal parameters, and microbial protein synthesis among treatments indicating that any of the supplemental sources could be utilized. Although, animals in DS had lower urine N excretion. The ES supplement increased methane yield (g/DMI) and the methane conversion factor Ym (% of gross energy intake) when compared to other treatments, but not methane production, which was similar among all treatments.

Intensive Production and Management of Marandu Palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha ‘Marandu’) Accelerates Leaf Turnover but Does Not Change Herbage Mass

Pasture intensification through higher stocking rates, nitrogen fertilization and intensified grazing management in beef cattle production optimizes pasture use by increasing the forage harvested. We aimed to assess its effects on the morphogenesis and canopy structure of Urochloa brizantha ‘Marandu’ (marandu palisadegrass) pastures. The treatments consisted of marandu palisadegrass pastures managed under continuous stocking and a canopy height of 25 cm, with different levels of intensification: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems N-fertilized with 0 kg, 75 kg, and 150 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively, as ammonium nitrate (32% of N), with four replicates (paddocks) in a completely randomized design. Phyllochron (9.8 days) and leaf lifespan (34.7 days) were shorter in intensified pastures, whereas herbage mass was similar among treatments. Extensive pastures had a higher proportion of senescent material; thus, more intensive systems showed higher proportions of leaves and stems, although the leaves-to-stem ratio remained similar across production systems. The defoliation interval was lower in intensive (14.4 days) and higher in extensive (18.7 days) treatments. Thus, pasture intensification accelerates leaf appearance, decreases leaf lifespan, shortens the tiller defoliation interval and increased herbage accumulation rate but does not change herbage mass. The extensive system produces excessive forage losses due to dead material.

Ammonia Volatilization, Forage Accumulation, and Nutritive Value of Marandu Palisade Grass Pastures in Different N Sources and Doses

The reduction in ammonia (NH3) losses from volatilization has significant implications in forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of N fertilizers (urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate) and four doses (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N ha−1) on N losses by NH3 volatilization, accumulation, and forage chemical composition of Urochloa brizantha cv Marandu. Two field experiments were conducted to measure NH3 losses using semi-open chambers. The forage accumulation and chemical composition were evaluated in the third experiment; the response variables included forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Compared to urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate reduced NH3 losses by 84% and 87% and increased total forage accumulation by 14% and 23%, respectively. Forage accumulation rate and CP increased linearly with the N levels, while NDF contents decreased linearly with the N levels. In both experiments, NH3 losses and forage characteristics were different according to the rainfall pattern and temperature variations. Our results indicate that the use of nitric and ammoniacal fertilizers and the application of fertilizer in the rainy season constitute an efficient fertilizer management strategy to increase forage yield and decrease losses from volatilization of NH3.

Influence of integrated crop-livestock-forest on morphological composition and nutritional value of Marandu palisadegrass under continuous grazing

This study characterizes the changes in leaf mass, morphological composition and nutritional value of leaf blades of palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) under continuous grazing in the first year of implementation of pasture and after second year of the eucalyptus planting in an Integrated Crop-Livestock System and Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest, which were tested in the four seasons. The experimental design was in random blocks, with three treatments: Crop-Livestock System (ICL) and Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest with two eucalyptus tree densities (ICLF-1L, 196 eucalyptus trees ha-1 and ICLF-3L, 448 eucalyptus trees ha-1) and four replicates. Sixty castrated Nellore cattle with initial weight of 235.43 ± 25.46 kg and mean age of 16 ± 2.81 months were used during the growing phase under continuous grazing. The agronomic variables were: total dry mass of forage, leaves, stem and dead material; leaf: stem and live: senescent material ratios; and accumulation rate. The leaf: stem and live: senescent material relation did not obtain any difference between the evaluated systems. Dry matter, crude protein, fiber fractions and digestibility of leaf blades were evaluated. Dry mass of the forage (6775 kg ha-1), stem (2175 kg ha-1), senescent material (3175 kg ha-1) and dry matter content (28.6%) were greater in the ICL, whereas crude protein (11.3%) was greater in the ICLFs. On the other hand, accumulation rate and dry mass of leaf blades did not change between systems. Thus, until the first year of grazing, tree systems have advantages, because the forage production (accumulation rate) and leaf mass are similar to those of plants in full sun, besides showing higher nutritional value.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on protein and carbohydrate fractions of Marandu palisadegrass

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization levels on protein and carbohydrate fractions in Marandu palisadegrass pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] were investigated in a pasture over five years. The experimental design was completely randomized with four levels of N (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg N ha-1, as urea) for five years, and with three replicates. The study was conducted in a continuously stocked pasture during the forage growing season (December to April) in a tropical region. The effects of N fertilization were similar across the five years. With increasing N fertilization, the concentrations of crude protein (CP) increased from 103 to 173 g kg−1 (P < 0.001), soluble fractions (Fraction A + B1) increased from 363 to 434 g kg−1 of total CP (P = 0.006); neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased from 609 to 556 g kg−1 (P = 0.037); indigestible NDF (P = 0.046), potentially degradable neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.037), and acid detergent fiber decreased (P = 0.05), and total digestible nutrient (TDN) increased (P < 0.001). Increasing N fertilization decreased the concentrations of Fraction C (P = 0.014) and total carbohydrates (P < 0.0001), and increased CP:organic matter digestibility (P < 0.01). Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber free of ash and protein (P = 0.003), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.001), neutral detergent fiber potentially degradable (P = 0.11), CP (P < 0.001), Fraction A + B1 (P < 0.001), Fraction B2 (P < 0.001), Fraction B3 (P < 0.01), and non-structural carbohydrates differed (P < 0.001) across years. Therefore, N fertilization can be used to increase CP, soluble protein, and TDN.

Intermittent stocking strategies for the management of Marandu palisade grass in the Brazilian Cerrado biome

AbstractThe objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of pre‐ and post‐grazing targets on the forage accumulation and canopy characteristics of Marandu palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha) to define grazing management strategies in Brazil's Cerrado biome. The experimental design comprised a randomized complete block with four replicates in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: two grazing frequencies (95% of light interception (LI95%) and maximum (LIMax) light interception of the forage canopy) and two grazing intensities (10 and 15 cm of post‐grazing canopy height). Pastures were sampled to quantify forage mass and morphological components at pre‐ and post‐grazing. The tillers population density and forage nutritive value were estimated at pre‐grazing. Pastures managed with the LI95% target demonstrated greater basal (1,341 versus 1,193 tillers/m2) and aerial tillers (101 versus 53 tillers/m2) population densities, a greater leaf:stem ratio (3.8 versus 2.0), and a lower canopy height (33 versus 55 cm), forage mass (3,225 versus 4,320 kg/ha), stem proportion (30.6% versus 44.5%), and leaf (2.5% versus 2.8%) and stem (3.4% versus 3.8%) acid detergent lignin content than those managed with the LIMax target. In the Cerrado, Marandu palisade grass must be grazed when the canopy height reaches 33 cm. Furthermore, animals must be removed from the paddocks when the canopy height reaches 15 cm.

Effects of timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on responses by tropical grasses

Timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application can influence grass regrowth, so it is important to identify how tropical grasses respond to delays in applying fertilizer after defoliation. Our objective was to identify the effects of timing of N fertilizer application after harvest on the productive, morphogenic and structural characteristics of 3 tropical grasses: ‘Xaraés’ (Urochloa brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] Stapf cv. Xaraés), ‘Marandu’ (Urochloa brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] Stapf cv. Marandu) and ‘Tanzânia’ (Megathyrsus maximus [Jacq.] cv. Tanzânia). The experiments were performed in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, with 5 delays in applying N after harvesting (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days). Delaying fertilizer application did not affect the forage mass of Xaraés and Marandu palisade grass (7.4 and 7.8 g/pot, respectively). There was a linear decrease in number of leaves per tiller and leaf appearance rate, but tiller population density and phyllochron increased linearly as fertilizer application was delayed. Grass forage mass (12.2‒10.6 g/pot), number of leaves per tiller (3.1‒2.6 leaves/tiller) and forage accumulation rate (0.47 to 0.41 g DM/d) of Tanzânia guinea decreased linearly as N application was delayed, but tiller population density was unaffected (25 tillers/pot). Based on our results, N fertilizer should be applied to Tanzânia guinea grass pastures as soon as possible after harvest and certainly before 3 days, while there is not the same urgency with Xaraés and Marandu where fertilization could be delayed up to 12 days without significant detriment. These suggestions need to be tested in a field study before being recommended widely.

Palisadegrass pastures with or without nitrogen or mixed with forage peanut grazed to a similar target canopy height. 2. Effects on animal performance, forage intake and digestion, and nitrogen metabolism

AbstractThe lack of nitrogen (N) input on pastures is the main limiting factor to increase animal performance in tropical regions. This 2.5‐year study assessed animal performance, forage intake and digestion, and N metabolism responses of three pasture treatments: (1) mixed Marandu palisadegrass—Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster (syn. Urochloa brizantha Stapf cv. Marandu)—and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. &amp; W.C. Greg. cv. BRS Mandobi) pastures (GRASS + LEGUME), (2) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass pastures with 150 kg of N/ha (GRASS + N), and (3) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass without N fertilizer (GRASS). Continuous stocking with variable stocking rate was used with a target canopy height of 20 to 25 cm. The average daily gain was greatest at GRASS + N and GRASS + LEGUME (p = .081). GRASS + N pasture had greatest stocking rate and liveweight gain per area (p &lt; .001 and p &lt; .001, respectively), followed by GRASS + LEGUME pasture. No differences between treatments were found for the dry matter forage intake (p = .729); however, GRASS + N and GRASS + LEGUME pastures had greater crude protein and digestible organic matter intakes than GRASS pasture (p = .007 and p = .083, respectively). Greatest microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of microbial synthesis were found for GRASS + N and GRASS + LEGUME pastures (p = .016 and p = .067, respectively). Apparent efficiency of N utilization and microbial protein/CP intake ratio was greatest at GRASS + LEGUME pastures (p = .009 and p = .042, respectively). Nitrogen application or the integration of forage peanut in grass pasture increases animal performance, forage digestibility, and microbial protein synthesis.

Palisadegrass pastures with or without nitrogen or mixed with forage peanut grazed to a similar target canopy height. 1. Effects on herbage mass, canopy structure and forage nutritive value

AbstractNitrogen (N) inputs to pasture systems coupled with grazing management strategies based on monitoring and control of canopy structure may provide conditions for greater productivity and enhanced forage nutritive value. This 2‐year study assessed canopy structure and nutritive value responses of three pasture treatments, namely, (1) mixed Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] R.D. Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha Stapf]) cv. Marandu and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. &amp; W.C. Greg.) cv. BRS Mandobi pastures without N fertilizer (GRASS + LEGUME); (2) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass pastures fertilized with 150 kg N/ha (GRASS + N); and (3) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass without N fertilizer (GRASS). Grazing management was similar across pasture treatments, using continuous stocking and a target canopy height of 20–25 cm. Herbage mass was greater in GRASS + N and GRASS + LEGUME pastures than in GRASS in summer and spring (p = .014). The leaf:stem ratio in the grass mass (p = .731) was similar between treatments. Grass crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) were greatest in the GRASS + N pasture (p &lt; .001). Grass neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration was greater at GRASS and GRASS + LEGUME pastures than in GRASS + N (p &lt; .001). Forage peanut had a greater IVDDM and CP concentration and a lower NDF concentration than Marandu palisadegrass. Nitrogen application or the presence of the legume increased green herbage mass and improved forage nutritive value in canopies with similar height.

Yield and nutritive value of mechanically processed corn silage from an integrated crop-livestock system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutritional value of silage made from corn intercropped with marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) in an integrated crop-livestock system. The corn was harvested at different maturity stages and cutting heights and was processed or not before ensiling. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications in a 2x2x2+1 factorial scheme. The treatments were composed of silage corn intercropped with marandu palisadegrass harvested at two cutting heights (20 or 45 cm) and two stages of maturity (1/4 of the kernel milk line or kernel physiological maturity) and subjected to two methods of processing (crushing or not crushing). A control treatment composed of conventionally grown corn silage was also included. The total dry matter yields of both crops did not differ significantly among treatments, demonstrating the viability of the intercropping system for both forage species. Although the dry matter content of the corn plants was higher at the time of ensiling, the fermentative and nutritive quality of the silages was not affected. Increasing the cutting height increased the grain content of the forage mass and also avoided harming the development of the intercropped grass. The silages from the physiological maturity treatment and from the processed treatment had the best quality.

Yield and Production Components of Corn Under Straw of Marandu Palisade Grass Inoculated With Azospirillum brasilense in the Low-Land Cerrado

The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria combined with Integrated Agricultural Production Systems (IAPS) has resulted in productivity increases in the Brazilian Cerrado region. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of inoculating or not inoculating Azospirillum brasilense on corn and palisade grass seeds (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) on growth, yield components, and dry matter yield of the aerial part and grains in an Oxisol cropped in ICLS and under a no-tillage system for 12 years in an irrigated area. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were composed of corn (monoculture) with inoculated seed, corn (monoculture) without inoculated seed, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) without inoculation, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation in both seeds, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation of corn seeds, and corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation of grass seeds. At the end of each production cycle, the yield and components of corn, corn straw biomass, and dry matter of palisade grass were evaluated. Considering the optimal conditions of soil provided by liming and fertilization at sowing and nitrogen applied in topdressing, the application of A. brasilense in corn seeds did not show its potential. Intercropped systems inoculated or not with A. brasilense on corn seeds increase grain yield, dry matter production of grass, and nutrient accumulation in the straw, providing greater sustainability to the Cerrado no-tillage system.

Height and mowing of pasture at the end of winter modulate the tillering of Marandu palisadegrass in spring

In pastures subjected to stockpiling, the tiller population goes through an intense process of self-thinning, hindering the recruitment of new tillers in the subsequent season. We evaluated different pasture management strategies in late winter in an attempt to modify tiller recruitment during spring. Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu was maintained at 4 different levels (heights) of stockpiled pasture at the end of winter: short (15.1 cm), medium (23.2 cm), tall (31.4 cm) and tall/mown (31.3 cm, mown to 8 cm). In October (early spring), the short and tall/mown pastures had a tiller appearance rate (TAR) and a population stability index (PSI) superior (P&lt;0.05) to that of the tall pasture. During the remainder of the growing season, these characteristics (TAR and PSI) were similar for all pastures. Tiller survival rate (TSR) was also highest (P&lt;0.05) in short pasture in early spring. TAR values were highest in early spring and these tillers persisted throughout the growing season. When stockpiling Marandu palisadegrass pasture during spring it is important to have it short at the end of winter to ensure early and intense tillering in spring. If pasture is tall at the end of winter mowing at this time before spelling is advantageous.

Efeito de bactérias diazotróficas associativas no desenvolvimento produtivo do capim Marandu

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o desenvolvimento do capim Marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) submetido à inoculação com bactérias diazotróficas associadas e cultivadas em Latossolo Vermelho do Cerrado. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, com delineamento inteiramente casualizado e cinco tratamentos composto por três estirpes de bactérias associativas fixadoras de nitrogênio, Y2 (Nitrospirillum amazonense), MTH2 (similar à Herbaspirillum spp.), MTB1 (similar à Burkholderia spp.), um inoculante comercial formado pela combinação das estirpes Ab-V5 e Ab-V6 (Azospirillum brasilense), um controle 100 mg dm-3 N-uréia e cinco repetições, foram inoculadas pela inserção de uma alíquota de 3 mL de caldo bacteriano contendo 109 mL-1 de células no solo próximo ao sistema radicular de cada planta. Foram realizados três cortes aos 30, 60 e 90 dias após a semeadura e avaliou-se altura da planta, número de folhas, matéria seca de parte aérea e da raiz do capim Marandu. A altura das plantas (P

Herbage accumulation, canopy structure and tiller morphology of marandu palisadegrass growing in open pasture and in silvopasture

Silvopasture is an alternative to open pasture (OP), but the effect of trees on understory grass canopy structure and tiller morphology is not well defined. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation, canopy structure, and tiller morphology of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Marandu (palisadegrass) growing in OP or in silvopasture with Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid of E. grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. urophylla S. T. Blake), in the Amazon biome. From October 2015 to September 2016, all experimental units were stocked continuously with beef cattle using a variable stocking rate to maintain a palisadegrass canopy height of 30 cm. The trees were planted in triple-row groves (3.0 m between trees, 3.5 m between rows), with 30 m between groves, totaling 270 trees ha−1. The herbage accumulation (HA) was similar among systems (averaging 12.1 Mg ha−1 year−1). The silvopasture decreased herbage mass (HM) 24% and herbage bulk density (HBD) by 20% compared with OP. Tiller leaf area was 18% greater in the silvopasture. Total number of leaves (4.95 ± 0.26), and live leaves tiller−1 (3.25 ± 0.14) were not affected by system or system × season interaction. In a silvopasture, palisadegrass maintained leaf area index, number of total, live and dead leaves, tiller weight, internode length and stem length similar to the OP. Under moderate shade, especially at 4-m distance from the edge row of trees, palisadegrass enhanced the area of each leaf while the number of live leaves tiller−1 and tiller density decreased in order to maintain productivity. Silvopasture has potential as an alternative system for livestock production in the Brazilian Amazon Biome.

Sampling representativeness of soil carbon and physiological parameters of marandu palisadegrass in a tropical silvopastoral system

The sampling methods for soil and plant evaluation in integrated production systems need to be refined for their use in experiments. This study purposed a sampling representativeness model to evaluate soil carbon and physiological parameters of marandu palisadegrass intercropped with double rows of eucalyptus in a silvopastoral system in southeastern Brazil. Four transects were delimited within the silvopastoral system and the soil was sampled at 0-5, 5-10, and 10- 20 cm depths to evaluate two parameters of soil organic matter: total organic carbon (TOC) and soil microbial carbon (Cmic). We also evaluated three physiological parameters of marandu palisadegrass: stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic rate. The sampling strategy was evaluated by the Hatheway and Modified Maximum Curvature (MMC) methods. We found that cultivation of the alley with forage grass and double rows of eucalyptus must be considered to ensure sampling representativeness in a silvopastoral system, once TOC and Cmic and physiological parameters showed variation within the integrated production system. The MMC method could be useful to evaluate silvopastoral systems for experiments and characterization of agricultural areas, as 11 soil samples are representative to evaluate Cmic and TOC, and 13 samples are enough to evaluate the physiological parameters in marandu palisadegrass. The Hatheway method could be applied to experiments that need higher accuracy with a reduction in the minimum difference to be detected between the treatments and a consequent increase in the number of samples to be collected.

Strategic supplementation of growing cattle on tropical pastures improves nutrient use and animal performance, with fewer days required on the finishing phase

Context Cattle grazing tropical forages usually perform below genetic potential due to limited nutrient intake. Aims Four experiments were conducted to evaluate supplementation strategies on performance and metabolism of cattle grazing intensively managed marandu palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). Methods Experiment 1 evaluated the average daily gain (ADG) of 72 young bulls (222 ± 25 kg bodyweight, BW) grazing palisade grass and supplemented (22% crude protein, CP) at 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% BW, and their ADG during the feedlot finishing phase. Experiment 2 evaluated the ADG of 80 bulls (240 ± 18 kg BW) grazing palisade grass and supplemented with energy (11.3% CP) or three protein sources (≈20.5% CP) at 0.6% BW. Experiment 3 investigated intake, rumen parameters and digestibility of nutrients in fistulated steers (410 ± 8.6 kg BW) fed an energy supplement, that is, ground corn, at 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% BW, with a parallel in vitro study of fermentation kinetics (Experiment 4). Key results Increased levels of supplementation resulted in linear increases (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in ADG, stocking rate (SR) and in BW gain per area. There were no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in ADG, SR and BW gain per area among supplemental sources of protein or the energy supplement. Increasing energy levels caused a linear decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in forage intake and grazing time and a linear increase (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in total dry matter and digestible-nutrient intakes, but did not affect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) fibre degradability. Corn supplementation also caused a linear decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in acetate:propionate ratio, in ruminal ammonia-N and in N excretion, and a linear increase (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in rumen propionate concentration, in microbial synthesis and in N retention. The supplementation increased BW at the start of the feedlot phase, resulting in similar hot carcass weights with fewer days on feed and no effects on meat quality. Conclusions Overall, despite the source utilised, supplementation increased ADG, SR and BW gain per area, with fewer days being required on the finishing period. Implications Having adequate supplementation strategies in place will help producers increase the efficiency of their systems.

Structure of differed Marandu palisade grass with variables nitrogen doses and heights

This study aims to evaluate the effects of height (15 and 30 cm)and nitrogen dose (N, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) at the beginning of thestockpiling period on the structural characteristics of the Urochloabrizantha cv. Marandu (Marandu palisade grass) during winter. Thefalling index of the plant did not vary with the factors under scrutiny(P&gt;0,10). The number of basal tillers was higher (P&lt;0,10) in the 15-cmdeferred canopy than in the 30-cm canopy only when the highest N dosewas used. Under conditions of application of 0 or 80 kg ha-1 of N, the 30-cmstockpiled canopies showed a higher (P&lt;0,10) forage mass than the 15-cmones. Associated with reduced canopy height at the beginning ofstockpiling period, nitrogen fertilization improves the morphologicalcomposition of Marandu palisade grass. To maximize the forage mass inthe dry season, the canopies of Marandu palisade grass can be deferredeither at 15 cm (fertilized with about 100 kg ha-1 of N) or at 30 cm (with nonitrogen fertilization) at the beginning of the stockpiling period.

How does the sward condition in late winter influence the Marandu palisade grass (&lt;i&gt;Urochloa brizantha&lt;/i&gt; cv. Marandu) structure during spring and summer?

Height and mowing of a sward in late winter can change its structure during the subsequent spring and summer seasons, which influences plant growth and animal performance. This work was conducted to evaluate the structural characteristics of Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Marandu (marandu palisadegrass) during spring and summer in relation to the following sward conditions in late winter: short (15 cm), medium (23 cm), tall (31 cm) and tall (31 cm)/mowed to 8 cm. Stages of the grazing period (beginning, middle and end) in spring and summer were considered measures repeated over time. Leaf area index was lower in the tall pasture than in the other pastures and was lower at the beginning than at the end of the grazing period. Dead material mass was highest in the tall pasture, intermediate in the short and medium pastures and lowest in the tall/mowed pasture. Live stem mass was higher at the end than at the beginning and middle of the grazing period of the short, medium and tall/mowed pastures, contrary to that observed in the tall sward. At the end of the grazing period, tiller number did not vary among pastures. The tall pasture in late winter presents a limiting structure to animal consumption. Short and tall/mowed pastures in late winter show a favorable structure for forage plant growth and, probably, animal performance.

Mowing and lowering the marandu palisadegrass sward height at late winter improve the sward structure

The structure of the sward is important because it influences the responses of plants and animals in grazing conditions. The objective with this work was to evaluate the structural characteristics of the Marandu palisade grass pasture (Brachiaria brizantha syn. Urochloa brizantha) during spring and summer, depending on the condition of the sward at the end of winter. Four grazing conditions at the end of winter were evaluated: short (24.1 cm), short (25.2 cm)/mown (8 cm), tall (49.0 cm) and tall (50.0 cm)/mown (8 cm). The foliar area index was lower in the tall pasture than in the tall/mown pasture. The mass and the volumetric density of dead stem were higher in the tall pasture, intermediate in the short pasture, and lower in mowed pastures. At the beginning of the grazing period, the live stem mass was higher in the tall pasture. At the beginning and middle of the grazing period, the volumetric density of dead leaf lamina was lower in mowed pastures. At the beginning of the pasture period, the short pasture had a higher tiller number (TN). In the middle of the grazing period, the short and short/mown pastures had higher TN. At the end of the pasture period, the lowest TN value occurred in the tall pasture. The tall pasture at the end of winter presents an unfavorable structure to the animal in grazing, while the mowing and reduction in the height of the marandu palisade grass improves the structure of the sward in spring and summer.