Agronomic features of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) cv. Roxo under irrigation

This study aimed to evaluate how different irrigation water depths influence the agronomical features of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) cv. Roxo. Grass was cultivated in a pasture belonging to the Bovine Sector of the National Agrotechnical School of Caceres – MT. The experiment was a block design with five treatments and four repetitions. Treatments consisted of five water depths: 0 = 0% of available water (AW), 1 = 21% of AW, 2 = 34% of AW, 3 = 74% of AW, and 5 = 100% of AW. Evaluated features were production (dry matter ha-1), plant height, leaf/steam ratio, and stem diameter. Dry matter production of cuts from May and July increased linearly with increasing water depth (P < 0.05). Plant height increased linearly as water depth increased in the cuts of May and September, while the height of July cuts was 71.76 cm under an irrigation depth of 390.77 mm. In May, July, and September cuts, leaf percentage decreased linearly as water depth increased (P < 0.05). An increase of 1 mm in water depth reduced leaf percentage by 0.0936% (May), 0.0295% (July), and 0.0122% (September). Our results indicate that to improve dry matter production, May, July, and September cuts should be irrigated with water depths of 56.03 mm, 601.78 mm, and 577.65 mm, respectively

<b>Agronomic characteristics of corn hybrids for silage production in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i1.15592 <b>Agronomic characteristics of corn hybrids for silage production in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i1.15592

<p class="aresumo">The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Mato Grosso in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Leverger, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of corn hybrids in the cultivation of second crop for silage production. The experimental design was carried out with randomized blocks with 23 treatments (hybrids) and three replications. Corn hybrids from different seed companies and recommended for the midwestern region of Brazil, were used. The agronomic traits were: stem diameter (cm), plant height and ear insertion (m); yield of green matter (ton. ha^-1), percentage of spike, stem and leaves in green mass; ear productivity (ton. ha^-1), dry matter content of stem + leaf and whole plant. Hybrids BF 9304, DKB 370, 177 DKB, BF 9534, BF 9417, AG 5020, BE 9701, P 3021 and P 30F98 had the highest production of green matter, plant height and spike insertion. The hybrid BF 9304 was also prominent for spike percentage (50.55%).</p> <p class="apalavrachave"><br /><em> </em></p><br><p class="aresumo">The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Mato Grosso in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Leverger, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of corn hybrids in the cultivation of second crop for silage production. The experimental design was carried out with randomized blocks with 23 treatments (hybrids) and three replications. Corn hybrids from different seed companies and recommended for the midwestern region of Brazil, were used. The agronomic traits were: stem diameter (cm), plant height and ear insertion (m); yield of green matter (ton. ha^-1), percentage of spike, stem and leaves in green mass; ear productivity (ton. ha^-1), dry matter content of stem + leaf and whole plant. Hybrids BF 9304, DKB 370, 177 DKB, BF 9534, BF 9417, AG 5020, BE 9701, P 3021 and P 30F98 had the highest production of green matter, plant height and spike insertion. The hybrid BF 9304 was also prominent for spike percentage (50.55%).</p> <p class="apalavrachave"><br /><em> </em></p

Nutritional value of sorghum silage of different purposes

ABSTRACT Sorghum is a crop that stands out as an alternative to corn due to lower soil fertility demand and increased tolerance to drought. Lack of information about the qualitative behaviour of sorghum hinders the recommendation of different purpose sorghum cultivars. The goal was to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of different purpose sorghum cultivar silages, at two cropping seasons. The trial was conducted at the Plant Production Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rondônia, Colorado do Oeste campus, and chemical analyses and in vitro incubation were performed at the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá campus. The experimental design was a randomized block with a split-plot arrangement and four replications. Plot treatments consisted of six different purpose sorghum cultivars (BRS 308 and BRS 310, grain sorghum; BR 655 and BRS 610, forage sorghum; and BRS 506 and CMSXS 647, sweet sorghum). Split-plot treatments consisted of two cropping periods (first crop and second crop). Forage sorghum cultivar BRS 655 demonstrated higher non-fiber carbohydrate content and lower potentially digestible fibre content than the other cultivars did. Sweet sorghum cultivars had higher levels of water soluble carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen based on protein, lower indigestible neutral detergent fibre content at second crop, and higher in vitro dry matter digestibility than the other cultivars. The silages of sweet sorghum cultivars BRS 506 and CMSXS 647, and forage sorghum cultivar BRS 655 presented higher nutritional values

In vitro kinetic parameters of marandu palisadegrass associated with nonfiber carbohydrates

Objetivou-se avaliar efeitos de níveis (0, 10, 20 e 30%) de amido ou glicose associado ao capim Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu sobre os parâmetros cinéticos e digestão da fibra do por meio da técnica in vitro de produção de gases. O experimento foi organizado em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e 6 repetições para cada fonte energética. O capim Marandu associado aos níveis de carboidratos não fibrosos foi incubado em frascos de 120 mL, com tampão de McDougall e inóculo ruminal proveniente de dois ovinos canulados no rúmen. Foram realizadas leituras da pressão dos gases no interior dos frascos, bem como dois frascos foram retirados nos tempos 24, 48 e 96 horas (h) para avaliação da FDN residual. Utilizou-se modelo logístico com um compartimento para estimar os parâmetros cinéticos para a forragem ou da forragem associada a amido, entretanto foi necessário utilizar o modelo bicompartimental quando da adição de glicose. Cada 1% de amido adicionado promoveu aumento linear na produção total de gases em 0,2254 mL e redução do período de latência em 0,2451 h, mas não afetou a taxa de digestão. Já os níveis de glicose causaram efeito quadrático sobre a taxa de digestão e latência, sendo estimado valor mínimo da taxa de digestão de 0,01689 h-1 no nível de glicose de 10,07% e latência mínima igual a zero. Os níveis de amido causaram redução linear da digestão da FDN em 0,296% apenas no tempo 24 h, enquanto que os níveis de glicose reduziram linearmente a digestão da FDN em todos os tempos avaliados (0,3269; 0,4171 e 0,234%, nos tempos 24, 48 e 96 h, respectivamente). Os níveis de glicose promovem efeitos diferenciados sobre os parâmetros cinéticos da produção de gás in vitro do capim Marandu comparado à suplementação com amido, destacando seus efeitos negativos prolongados sobre a digestão da FDN.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%) of starch or glucose associated with marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) on its kinetic parameters and fiber digestion by the in vitro gas production technique. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six replications for each energy source. The marandu palisadegrass associated with nonfiber carbohydrate levels was incubated in 120 ml bottles, with McDougall buffer and rumen fluid from two rumen-cannulated sheep. Readings were taken of gas pressure within the bottle, and two vials were removed at 24, 48 and 96 hours (h) to assess residual neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The one-pool logistic model was used to estimate the kinetic parameters for pure forage and forage associated with starch, however it was necessary to use the two-pools model when glucose was added. Each 1% of added starch promoted a linear increase in total gas production of 0.2254 ml and a decrease in lag time of 0.2451 h, but did not affect the digestion rate. Glucose levels had a quadratic effect on digestion rate and lag time, with a minimum estimated value for digestion rate of 0.01689 h-1 at a glucose level of 10.07% and a minimum lag time of zero. Starch levels caused a linear reduction in NDF digestion of 0.296% only at 24 h, while glucose levels linearly reduced the NDF digestion in all evaluated times (0.3269, 0.4171 and 0.2340% at 24, 48 and 96 h, respectively). Glucose levels promoted different effects on the in vitro gas production kinetic parameters of marandu palisadegrass compared to starch supplementation, highlighting the prolonged negative effects on NDF digestion

Bio-economic assessment of sheep supplementation in marandu palisadegrass pastures

Goal was to evaluate the effect of mineral and/or energy-protein supplementation on intake, behavior, production response, pH, rumen ammonia and production cost of sheep. Twenty female lambs and five rumen-cannulated lambs were used to test supplementation effects on weight gain and nutritional characteristics, respectively. Treatments evaluated were: mineral mixture, supplement with 20 and 25% of crude protein offered at 0.5 and 1.0% of body weight. Supplementation at 1.0% of body weight reduced forage intake. Average daily gain were: -58.33, -1.07, -9.53, 19.27 and 34.73 g day-1 per animal, for mineral mixture, supplements with 20 and 25% of crude protein supplied at 0.5% of body weight and 20 and 25% crude protein provided at 1.0% of body weight, respectively. Rumen pH for all supplements was maintained above 6.20. Values of rumen ammonia nitrogen were 5.10, 9.48, 11.54, 17.51 and 22.45 mg dL-1 for supplements: mineral mixture, 20 and 25% of crude protein provided at 0.5% of body weight and 20 and 25% of crude protein supplied at 1.0% of body weight, respectively. The best economic return was obtained with the supplement 25% of crude protein provided at 1.0% of body weight.Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o efeito da suplementação mineral e/ou proteica energética no consumo, comportamento, resposta produtiva, pH e amônia ruminais e custo de produção de ovinos. Utilizaram-se 20 borregas e cinco borregos canulados no rúmen para avaliar os efeitos da suplementação sobre o ganho de peso e características nutricionais, respectivamente. Avaliaram-se os suplementos mistura mineral e suplementos com 20 e 25% de proteína bruta ofertados a 0,5 e 1,0% do peso corporal. A suplementação na proporção de 1,0% do peso corporal reduziu o consumo de forragem. Os ganhos médios diários foram de –58,33; –1,07; –9,53; 19,27 e 34,73 g animal dia -1 , para os suplementos mistura mineral, 20 e 25% de proteína bruta fornecidos a 0,5% do peso corporal e 20 e 25% de proteína bruta ofertados a 1,0% do peso corporal, respectivamente. O pH para todos os suplementos esteve acima de 6,20. Os valores de nitrogênio amoniacal ruminal foram de 5,10; 9,48; 11,54; 17,51 e 22,45 mg dL -1 para os suplementos mistura mineral, 20 e 25% de proteína bruta fornecidos a 0,5% do peso corporal e 20 e 25% de proteína bruta fornecidos a 1,0% do peso corporal. O melhor retorno econômico foi obtido com o suplemento 25% de proteína bruta a 1,0% do peso corporal

Fermentation characteristics of different purpose sorghum silage

Sorghum stands out among other plants recommended for ensiling due to its forage composition, its resistance to drought, and its planting range. New cultivars of grain and sweet sorghum that can be used for silage production are available, but there is little information regarding their ensiling characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics at the ensiling of different purpose sorghum cultivars, at two crop periods. The trial was carried out at the Plant Production Department of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rondônia, Colorado do Oeste campus, Rondônia, Brazil, and chemical analyses were performed at the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá campus, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experimental design used was a randomized block, in split-plot design, with four replicates. The plot treatments consisted of six sorghum cultivars grown for different purposes (grain sorghum: BRS 308 and BRS 310; forage sorghum: BR 655 and BRS 610; sweet sorghum: BRS 506 and CMSXS 647). Split-plot treatments consisted of two cropping seasons (first crop and second crop). The grain sorghum cultivar BRS 310 was the only one that had suitable dry matter content for ensiling; however, it was also the only one that did not show ideal water soluble carbohydrate content for ensiling. Nevertheless, all treatments presented pH below than 4.2 and ammonia nitrogen lower than 12% of total N, which indicates that the fermentation inside the silo had proceeded well. For sweet sorghum cultivars, higher ethanol and butyric acid content were observed for the first crop than for the second crop. All evaluated sorghum cultivars can be used for silage production, but the use of sweet sorghum is recommended at the second crop

Marandu palisade grass intercropped with densely spaced teak in silvopastoral system

Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar dois sistemas de produção: integração entre teca e forragem (silvipastoril) e somente forragem (monocultivo). A forrageira utilizada foi o capim-Marandu. Em janeiro de 2009, parte do pasto foi dessecado e implantou-se Teca (Tectona grandis) em espaçamento de 3 x 4 m e a cada cinco linhas estabeleceu-se um espaçamento de 6 m entre linhas, o que garantiu uma população de 750 árvores por hectare. Paralelamente ao desenvolvimento das árvores houve o restabelecimento do pasto de capim-Marandu. Em fevereiro de 2015, retirou-se os animais da área e em março avaliou-se o estádio de degradação do pasto, a densidade e a massa de perfilhos. Avaliou-se também a altura do dossel forrageiro, a massa de forragem e as porcentagens de: lâmina foliar, colmo+bainha e material morto, a relação lâmina foliar/colmo+bainha e a relação vivo/não vivo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos (silvipastoril e monocultivo) e doze repetições. A massa de forragem foi maior no sistema com monocultivo de capim-Marandu. A altura da forragem e a porcentagem de colmo + bainha foram maiores no sistema silvipastoril, já a porcentagem de lâmina foliar e a relação lâmina:colmo+bainha foram maiores para o sistema com monocultivo. Conclui-se que o capim-marandu tolera o sombreamento em sistema silvipastoril adensado, contudo o processo de degradação é mais intenso do que o capim em monocultivo e a utilização do capim-Marandu em sistemas silvipastoris altera a massa de forragem e a estrutura da forragem produzida.This study was conducted to evaluate two systems of production: integration between teak and forage (silvopastoral system) and forage only (monoculture). The forage species used was Marandu palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). In January 2009, part of the pasture was desiccated and the teak (Tectona grandis) was implemented in a 3 × 4 m spacing arrangement, and at every five rows, a space between rows of 6 m was established, providing a population of 750 trees per hectare. Alongside the development of the trees, the Marandu palisade grass pasture was reestablished. In February 2015, the animals were removed from the experimental area and, in March, the pasture degradation, the density and the mass of tillers was assessed. The following variables were evaluated: sward height; forage mass, percentage of leaf blade, stem+sheath and senescent material; leaf blade:stem+sheath ratio; and live:dead material ratio. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 12 replicates. Treatments consisted of two systems (silvopastoral and monoculture). The total forage accumulation was higher in the monoculture system. The sward height and the percentage of stem+sheath were higher in the integrated system, while the percentage of leaf blade and the leaf blade:stem+sheath ratio were higher in the system exclusively with forage. In conclusion, Marandu palisade grass tolerates shading in a high density spacing silvopastoral system, but the degradation process is more intense compared to grass in monoculture, and the use of Marandu palisade grass in silvopastoral systems changes the forage mass and the structure of the produced forage