Animal Performance in Signalgrass Monoculture or in Silvopastoral Systems

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) can increase overall productivity and long-term income due to the simultaneous production of trees, forage, and livestock. This 2-yr study evaluated animal performance and herbage responses in C4-grass monoculture or in SPS in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were: Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R. Webster (Signalgrass) + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth (SPS-Mimosa); Signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp (SPS-Gliricidia); and Signalgrass monoculture (SM). Response variables included herbage and livestock responses. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. There was interaction between treatment × month for herbage mass. Green herbage accumulation rate ranged from 20 to 80 kg DM ha-1d-1 across months, with SPS-Mimosa presenting lower rates. Average daily gain was greater in SPS-Gliricidia, followed by SM, and SPS-Mimosa, respectively (0.77; 0.56; 0.23 kg d-1), varying across months. Stocking rate ranged from 0.86 to 1.6 AU ha-1. Total gain per area during the experimental period was greater for SPS-Gliricidia (423 kg BW ha-1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (347 kg BW ha-1), and SPS-Mimosa (50 kg BW ha-1). Silvopasture systems using signalgrass and gliricidia enhanced livestock gains compared with signalgrass in monoculture, and mimosa trees outcompeted signalgrass, reducing livestock gains. Silvopasture systems with tree legumes have potential to provide numerous ecosystem services and reduce C footprint of livestock systems in the tropics, however, the choice of tree species is key and determined by which ecosystem service is prioritized

Digital platform e-Códex: a hybrid virtual space.

Mobile learning is the kind of learning that applies mainly to non-formal education actions from the perspective of continuing education. Within the scope of companies, the demand for educational actions is increasing, notably focused on distance education and training, aimed at both internal and external audiences. However, for the implementation of activities dedicated to mobile learning, it is necessary to develop a digital platform to host the virtual learning environment. Under these conditions, it should be structured in a flexible format and design to encourage interactivity between learners and teachers in the implementation of teaching and learning activities. The article presents and discusses a proposal for a digital mobile platform, called e-Códex, which aims to support educational actions, to promote collaboration and learning, as well as to meet the information dissemination and knowledge generation needs of the Brazilian agroforestry sector

Contribution from Tree Legumes to Mixed Grass-Legume Pastures

Legumes and associated microorganisms may fix N from atmosphere and benefit grass on mixed grass-legume pastures. Nitrogen may be transferred by different mechanisms, including direct transfer of N compounds by roots, decomposition of nodules, roots, litter from legume (Nair 1993), and through animal excreta after legume intake by cattle. Silvopastoral systems including tree legumes may become a viable option in tropical regions, considering the increasing prices of N fertilizers compared to farm products such as beef and milk. This experiment evaluated legume contribution on mixed grass-legume pastures in the coastal region of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Estudo preliminar sobre possível relação entre caracteres anatômicos e histoquímicos de gramíneas forrageiras e o grau de resistência às cigarrinhas-das-pastagens (Hemiptera: cercopidae).

Resumo ID:655-

Animal Performance and Pasture Characteristics of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria decumbens\u3c/em\u3e Stapf., \u3cem\u3eGliricidia sepium\u3c/em\u3e (Jacq.) Steud, and \u3cem\u3eMimosa caesalpiniifolia\u3c/em\u3e Benth. in Silvipastoral Systems

Grasslands are the major source of feed for ruminants (Zanine 2005). Seasonality of production, however, is a constraint in forage-based systems. Silvopastoril systems combine different components (animals, trees, and forages) into one integrated system and may improve forage distribution across seasons. Resource use is usually more efficient both spatially and temporally, increasing land use efficiency (Nair 1993). Tree legumes present potential for silvopastoril systems because they can fix N from the atmosphere, improve cattle diet, and lead to a faster N cycle. In addition, trees provide shade and may reduce heat stress for grazing animals in warm-climate grasslands. Legume trees are commonly found in warm-season climates and present potential for use in silvopastoril systems. This research studied the animal performance and pasture characteristics of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) in pure stand or in silvopastoril systems with Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud or Mimosa caesalpinifolia Benth

Nitrogen fertilization increased grass litter decomposition in a tropical agroforestry system.

Litter decomposition and livestock excreta are two important sources for replenishing nutrients in the soil of the pastures, and their decomposition rates are afected by their quality, management practices, forage productivity, and biotic and abiotic factors. The objective of this research was to assess the efects of escalating levels of N fertilization (0, 100, 200, and 400 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on litter and fecal decomposition in an agroforestry system comprising palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A.Rich.) Stapf. cv. Marandu] intercropped with hybrid eucalyptus trees [Eucalyptus urophylla×Eucalyptus tereticornis], in a two-year feld trial. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and three repetitions. Litter (0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 days) and cattle excrement samples (0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 days) were incubated on the ground. For forage litter samples, the interaction between N fertilization×year was observed for the decomposition rate (k) of DM (P=0.0014) and OM (P=0.0094). The greatest litter OM disappearance was observed at 400 kg N fertilization ha−1 year−1 (651 g kg−1 DM at 256 days). The interaction between nitrogen fertilizer rate×incubation time, or the isolated efect of the treatment was not observed on fecal decomposition (P>0.05). Higher levels of N fertilization associated with the rainy period resulted in faster decomposition of palisadegrass litter, however, it did not show to have a strong infuence on the excreta decomposition in this agroforestry system

Estratégias comunicacionais para soluções de tecnologia da informação (TI) aplicadas à adequação da paisagem rural ao Código Florestal brasileiro.

O artigo apresenta estratégias comunicacionais para divulgação de soluções de tecnologia da informação (TI), em especial, de software para o domínio de interesse da temática ambiental e florestal, produzidos pela Embrapa.Intercom 2016