Herbage accumulation, canopy characteristics, and nutritive value of tropical grasses in the Amazon biome. Issue 5 (6th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tesk, Cátia R. M.; Abreu, Joadil G.; Pereira, Dalton H.; Sollenberger, Lynn E.; Matta, Frederico de P.; Pedreira, Bruno C.
• Is Part Of: Crop science. Volume 60:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 2782
• Page End: 2791
• Publication Date: 2020-08-06
• Subjects: Crop science -- Periodicals; Cultures -- Périodiques; Cultures de plein champ -- Périodiques; Crop science; Nutzpflanzen; Zeitschrift; Pflanzenbau; Periodicals; 633
• DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20202
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-183X

Abstract

Abstract: Forage species diversification reduces risk associated with forage–livestock production. In the Amazon biome, an alternative is needed to 'Marandu' palisadegrass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] because of Marandu death syndrome. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation (HA), canopy characteristics, and nutritive value of Marandu with two alternative grasses, 'Guará' ( Paspalum regnellii Mez) and 'Tupi' [ Urochloa humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga]. During 2 yr, grasses were clipped to a 12‐cm stubble height every 28 (rainy season) or 42 d (dry season). Annual HA did not differ across years for Guará (13.7 Mg dry matter [DM] ha −1 ) and Tupi (12.2 Mg DM ha −1 ); however, Marandu HA was 30% less in the second than the first year. Marandu had greatest annual HA in the first year (15.5 Mg DM ha −1 ), and Guará was superior to the other grasses in the second year (13.5 Mg DM ha −1 ). Tupi had the least leaf proportion among grasses in both rainy and dry seasons, and its leaf proportion was greater in the dry than rainy season (715 vs. 610 g kg −1 ). Greatest stem proportion was observed in Tupi and the least stubble mass occurred in Guará (2000 kg DM ha −1 ). When differences in crude protein occurred, Tupi concentrations (80–130 g kg −1 ) were less than either Guará (97–157 g kg −1 ) or Marandu (81–139 g kg −1 ). Overall, Tupi and Guará HA and nutritive value support their recommendation as alternatives to Marandu monoculture in Amazon forage‐based livestock systems.