https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6628-8057
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ABSTRACT
The use of grazing management strategies can influence canopy structure and the permanence of legumes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the determination of forage canopy heights as a grazing management strategy regarding herbage mass composition and tiller population dynamics in multispecies pastures comprising Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana and the legumes Macrotyloma axillare, Calopogonium mucunoides and Stylosanthes spp. Four treatments, defined by canopy heights of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, were evaluated in a randomised block design with four replications. The evaluations were performed under continuous stocking with sheep. Taller pastures (45 and 60 cm) contained greater (P < 0.05) total herbage mass of Aruana leaves and stems and also higher mass of legumes than smaller pastures (15 and 30 cm). The grass tiller population density was different between heights (P < 0.05) of 2.71, 2.02, 1.97 and 1.47 tillers/m2 for heights of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, respectively. The tiller appearance rate was highest in tall pastures (P < 0.05) and the lowest rate and stability index were found in 15 cm pastures. Aruana guineagrass and forage legumes can be managed in the height range of 30–60 cm under continuous stocking.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for Instituto de Zootecnia and its staff for the operational support.
Data availability statement
The data that supports this study will be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Ana Flávia Bastos Ongaro
Ms. Ana Flávia Bastos Ongaro has experience in the area of Animal Science, with emphasis on Forage, working mainly on the following topics: Morphological evaluations of forage species, Pastures in rotational and continuous stocking, Morphogenesis of plants, Mixed pastures of grasses and legumes and Grazing management. Acts as research and development analyst.
Janaina Azevedo Martuscello
Dr. Janaina Azevedo Martuscello is a professor at the Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, in São João Del Rei, Minas Gerais State, Brazil and at Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Brazil. She is State Director of ABZ Minas, coordinates the Foraging Study Group (GEFOR) and social networks ‘Foraging and Pastures’. She has experience in the area of Animal Science, with emphasis on Forage Plant Breeding, Pasture Management and Fertilization and Forage Plant Ecophysiology.
Flavia Maria de Andrade Gimenes
Dr. Flávia Maria de Andrade Gimenes is a Professor and Scientific Researcher at the Instituto de Zootecnia in Nova Odessa, São Paulo, Brazil, where she coordinates and participates in projects related to Animal Production in Pastures Systems. She works in the area of Pastures and Animal Production, currently participating in projects focused on the grazing management with emphasis on grass-legume pastures.
Ana Carolina Lopes Batista
Ms. Ana Carolina Lopes Batista participated in scientific projects at the Instituto de Zootecnia, in the area of Animal Production with emphasis on Pastures, Animal Nutrition, Management, Animal Welfare and Sustainability. Acts as State Agricultural Inspector in Inspection in the Official Animal Health Defense.
Lucas Ferreira Penteado
Ms. Lucas Ferreira Penteado has experience in the area of Pastures and Forage, Grazing Management and Mixed Pastures. He is Specialist in Agribusiness and currently attending postgraduate studies at Faculdades Associadas de Uberaba (FAZU) and PhD at Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil.
Linda Mônica Premazzi
Dr. Linda Mônica Premazzi is a Scientific Researcher at the Instituto de Zootecnia, where she coordinates and participates in projects in the area of Agronomy with emphasis on Forage Plants in the themes of Soil Fertility, Fertilization and Plant Nutrition and Grass-Legumes Pastures.
Waldssimiler Teixeira de Mattos
Dr. Waldssimiler Teixeira de Mattos is Director of Technological Innovation Center, Professor and Scientific Researcher at the Instituto de Zootecnia, where he coordinates and participates in projects related to the areas of Foraging and Pastures, Mineral Nutrition of Forage Plants, Botany and Morphology of Forage Plants and Management and Conservation of Genetic Resources of Forage Plants. Currently participating in projects focused on the Sustainability of Integrated Systems.
Marcelo Moretin Vieira
Marcelo Moretin Vieira is Graduating in Veterinary Medicine at the Centro Universitario de Jaguariúna (UNIFAJ). Scientific initiation project completed by FAPESP at Instituto de Zootecnia, with a research internship at the University of Florida, USA. The research activities accomplished were in the area of animal production with a focus on the use of pastures. Currently he is Quality Assurance intern at the Boehringer Ingelheim industry, focusing on the health and assurance of the world's livestock and companion animals.
Ricardo Lopes Dias da Costa
Dr Ricardo Lopes Dias da Costa is Professor and Researcher in the area of Animal Production at the Instituto de Zootecnia. He is currently developing research in the area of Sheep Feeding Efficiency and Sustainability in Sheep Production Systems.
Luciana Gerdes
Dr. Luciana Gerdes is a Scientific Researcher at the Instituto de Zootecnia. She has experience in the area of Forage and Pasture, working mainly on the topics Fertilization of pastures, grazing management with sheep and cattle, grass-legume pasture, and temperate grassland species. She is currently the Director of Pastures and Animal Feeding Center of the Instituto de Zootecnia.