Morphogenesis and structural characteristics of Andropógon grass and Xaraés palisade grass submitted to three cutting heights / Morfogênese e características estruturais dos capins Andropógon e Xaraés submetidos a três alturas de corte

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to evaluate morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés submitted to three cutting heights when the sward reached 95 % of light interception during the regrowth time. The experiment was carried out at Animal Science Department at UFV, in Viçosa/MG, from November 2007 to November 2008, and it was allocated in a completed randomised block design with three replications, in a total of nine experimental units. The evaluations of Andropógon grass started in November 2007 and finished in November 2008, and its treatment corresponded to three cutting heights 20, 27 and 34 cm. Concerning Xaraés palisade grass, its evaluation time happened between January 2008 and November 2008, and its cutting heights were15, 20 and 25 cm. The height of the pasture in the pre-cut time presented itself stable, and its values were about 50 and 30 cm for Andropógon grass and Xaraés palisade grass respectively. It revealed itself as a good practical and efficient parameter in order to manage the defoliation of these forage plants, since the height is highly related to 95% of light interception. The highest cuts resulted in the lowest angle and the lowest foliage area, so the grasses intercepted more light right after the defoliation time, which possibly promoted faster regrowths in shorter cut intervals. However, independently of the evaluated forage specie, there was no difference in the foliage area index between the treatments or the evaluation times, which was a reflex of fast plastic responses involving adjustments in the structural and morphogenetic characteristics of the plants. The Andropógon grass reduced its final leaf lamina length (FLLL), leaf appearance rate (LAR), number of live leaves (NLL), leaf lifespan (LL), stem elongation rate (SER), and tiller density (TD). When this grass was submitted to the lowest cuts, it elevated the phyllochron and the leaf senescence rate (LSR). Because of Andropógon grass typical blossom time in the fall, it was observed an elevation in the values of SER and LAR in this season. In addition, it was registered the highest NLL and the lowest values for the length of leaf lamina and LS. On the other hand, Xaraés palisade grass presented an increase in the leaf elongation rate (LER) and in the NLL, and a decrease in the values of SER and of the TD when this grass was submitted to the lowest cuts. The fall presented the lowest values of TAIF and of length of leaf lamina, and the highest values of NLL, LL, leaf senescence rate (LSR), and TD. The adequate management of the defoliation in the Andropógon grass and Xaraés palisade grass would be the cutting heights of 50 and 30 cm of tiller during the regrowth time in the heights from 27 to 34 cm and from 15 to 20 cm respectively.

ASSUNTO(S)

pastagem e forragicultura cutting heights pasture management meta de pastejo manejo de pastagem altura pré-pastejo

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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