The effect of residual nitrogen fertilization on the yield components, forage quality, and performance of beef cattle fed on Mombaça grass

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual nitrogen (N) on pastures of Mombaça grass and its impact on pasture structure and the nutritive value and performance of beef cattle. The experiment analyzed randomized blocks subdivided into plots, with three replications. The research focused on a number of pastures having received three annual doses of N (100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) from 2015 to 2017, with no N fertilization in 2018. The results indicated that pastures under residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N were characterized by higher (P<0.05) rates of forage accumulation than those under the residual effect of 100 kg ha-1 N. Furthermore, this study indicated no effect (P>0.05) on the pasture nutritive value and average daily gain (0.490 kg day-1). The stocking rate was higher (P<0.05) in pastures under the residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N, and lower in those at 100 kg ha-1 of N, while weight gain per area followed the trend observed in the stocking rate. The results thus suggest that the suspension of N fertilization for one year after three years of sequential fertilization was responsible for an immediate loss of 50 and 55% of the productivity of plants and animals, respectively. Highlights: Fundamental nitrogen fertilization to ensure pasture productivity. The use of nitrogen fertilization has been limited by cost, due to the extension of the areas involved and the need for frequent applications. We suspended nitrogen fertilization for one year after using the same doses of nitrogen for three years in order to evaluate a possible residual effect on plant and animal production. Suspending the N fertilization of Mombaça grass for one year after three years of sequential fertilization with the same doses leaves a residual effect on the pasture structure and performance of beef cattle. The suspension of nitrogen fertilization reduces the rate of forage accumulation by an average of 50%, causing a 55% reduction in animal productivity.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual nitrogen (N) on pastures of Mombaça grass and its impact on pasture structure and the nutritive value and performance of beef cattle. The experiment analyzed randomized blocks subdivided into plots, with three replications. The research focused on a number of pastures having received three annual doses of N (100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) from 2015 to 2017, with no N fertilization in 2018. The results indicated that pastures under residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N were characterized by higher (P<0.05) rates of forage accumulation than those under the residual effect of 100 kg ha-1 N. Furthermore, this study indicated no effect (P>0.05) on the pasture nutritive value and average daily gain (0.490 kg day-1). The stocking rate was higher (P<0.05) in pastures under the residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N, and lower in those at 100 kg ha-1 of N, while weight gain per area followed the trend observed in the stocking rate. The results thus suggest that the suspension of N fertilization for one year after three years of sequential fertilization was responsible for an immediate loss of 50 and 55% of the productivity of plants and animals, respectively. Highlights: Fundamental nitrogen fertilization to ensure pasture productivity. The use of nitrogen fertilization has been limited by cost, due to the extension of the areas involved and the need for frequent applications. We suspended nitrogen fertilization for one year after using the same doses of nitrogen for three years in order to evaluate a possible residual effect on plant and animal production. Suspending the N fertilization of Mombaça grass for one year after three years of sequential fertilization with the same doses leaves a residual effect on the pasture structure and performance of beef cattle. The suspension of nitrogen fertilization reduces the rate of forage accumulation by an average of 50%, causing a 55% reduction in animal productivity

Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of tillers of guinea grass of different age and grazing severities

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of tiller age on morphogenic and structural characteristics of guinea grass cv. Mombaca subjected to intermittent stocking and three stubble heights: 30 cm, 50 cm and 50-30 cm. Stubble heights were assigned to experimental units in a completely randomized block design with three replicates. Grazing was performed when canopy intercepted 95% of light incidence. Leaf appearance rate, leaf elongation rate and number of live leaves per tiller were higher in the summer when compared with the winter. Contrarily, stem elongation rate, phyllochron and leaf lifespan were lower in the summer when compared with the winter. During the summer, young tillers had higher leaf appearance and elongation rates when compared with the older ones. Young and mature tillers had the highest values of live leaves per tiller in the summer. There was no difference between summer and winter for the final length of leaf blade between tillers of the same age, except in mature tillers, which had higher final leaf length during the summer. Senescence rate of leaves was higher in young tillers, followed by mature and old tillers. Age of tiller affects morphogenic and structural characteristics of pasture, showing that young tillers have better growth compared with mature and old tillers

Animal performance and sward characteristics of piatã palisade grass pastures subjected to different grazing intensities

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o valor nutritivo, a estrutura do dossel e a produção animal de novilhos em pastos de capim‑piatã (Urochloa brizantha, cultivar Piatã), manejados a 15, 30 e 45 cm de altura, sob lotação contínua. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições e três alturas. As alturas dos pastos foram monitoradas duas vezes por semana, e as taxas de lotação ajustadas. Mensalmente, os pastos foram amostrados e os animais foram pesados. Não houve diferença no valor nutritivo dos pastos manejados com diferentes alturas. Os ganhos médios diários de 650 g por novilho foram semelhantes entre as diferentes alturas de manejo. A taxa de lotação foi menor para o pasto com 45 cm (2,4 UA ha‑1), intermediária para o de 30 cm (3,1 UA ha‑1) e maior para o manejado com 15 cm (3,8 UA ha‑1), o que resultou em maior ganho por área dos pastos manejados com 15 cm (1.050 kg ha‑1) e 30 cm (910 kg ha‑1) de altura, quando comparados ao manejado a 45 cm (635 kg ha‑1). O capim‑piatã apresenta grande flexibilidade de manejo sob lotação contínua e pode ser manejado entre 15 e 45 cm de altura.The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritive value, sward structure, and animal performance of steers on piatã palisade grass pastures (Urochloa brizantha, cultivar Piatã), managed at 15, 30, and 45 cm sward heights, under continuous stocking. A randomized block design, with two replicates and three sward heights, was used. Sward height was measured twice a week, and the stocking rate was adjusted. Monthly, the pastures were sampled and the animals were weighted. There was no difference in the nutritive value of the pastures managed with different heights. The average daily gain of 650 g per steer was similar among the different sward heights. The stocking rate was lower for the pasture managed at 45 cm (2.4 AU ha‑1), intermediary for the one with 30 cm (3.1 AU ha‑1), and higher for the one managed at 15 cm (3.8 AU ha‑1), resulting in greater gain per area for the pastures managed at a height of 15 cm (1,050 kg ha‑1) and 30 cm (910 kg ha‑1) than for the one managed at 45 cm (635 kg ha‑1). Piatã palisade grass shows great flexibility under continuous stocking and can be managed between 15 and 45 cm sward height

Steer performance on deferred pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare structural, morphological and bromatological characteristics of forage as well as performance of Caracu beef cattle (200 ± 9 kg of initial body weight) supplemented with a multi-mineral mixture (0.25% of body weight) on deferred pastures of , digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica (57,7 vs 53, 9 ± 0,4%), os menores teores de fibra em detergente neutro (69,2 vs 72,7 ± 0,4%

The soil-plant interface in Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa subjected to different doses of nitrogen in rotational grazing

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos de tres dosis de nitrógeno (N) en las características morfogénicas y estructurales, la masa (MR) y la distribución de las raíces en el perfil del suelo, y la resistencia del suelo a la penetración de las pasturas de guinea Mombasa manejados con pastoreo rotacional. El diseño experimental utilizó bloques al azar con tres dosis de N (100, 200 y 300 kg ha-1) y tres repeticiones. El criterio para interrumpir el rebrote de los pastos fue la altura de 80 a 90 cm del dosel (90-95 % de intercepción de luz por el dosel). Los animales fueron retirados de los potreros cuando el dosel alcanzó el 50 % de la altura prepastoreo. Se evaluó la masa y acumulación del forraje, las características morfogénicas y estructurales del dosel, la MR y distribución en el perfil del suelo, y la resistencia del suelo a la penetración. En pastos fertilizados con 200 y 300 kg ha-1 de N, se observó la mayor aparición foliar (0.090 hojas macollo-1 día-1 y 0.081 hojas macollo-1 día-1), tasas de alargamiento (2.82 y 2.61 cm macollo-1 d-1) y mayor acumulación diaria de forraje (113.8 y 106.6 kg ha-1d-1). El uso de 300 kg ha-1 de N promovió una mayor resistencia del suelo a la penetración a 10 cm de profundidad en el pospastoreo (3.3 MPa). No se observó ningún efecto de las dosis de N en la MR (P>0.05). Por lo tanto, el control de la altura antes y después del pastoreo de los animales en los potreros ayudó a mantener la estructura del pasto y evitar el proceso de compactación del suelo.  De acuerdo con los resultados, se concluye que 200 y 300 kg ha-1 de fertilización con N es una estrategia para intensificar los pastos.This work aimed to evaluate the effects of three nitrogen (N) doses on the morphogenic and structural characteristics, root mass (RM) and distribution in the soil profile, and penetration soil resistance of Mombasa guineagrass pastures managed with rotational stocking. The experimental design used randomized blocks with three N doses (100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1) and three replicates. The criterion for interrupting the pastures’ regrowth was the height of 80 to 90 cm of the canopy (90–95 % of light interception by the canopy). The animals were removed from the paddocks when the canopy reached 50 % of the pre-grazing height. Forage mass and accumulation, canopy morphogenic and structural characteristics, RM and distribution in the soil profile, and soil resistance to penetration were evaluated. In pastures fertilized with 200 and 300 kg ha-1 of N, the highest leaf appearance  (0.090 and 0.081 leaves-1 tiller-1 d-1),  elongation rates (2.82 and 2.61 cm tiller-1 d-1) and highest daily forage accumulation (113.8 and 106.6 kg ha-1d-1) were observed. Using 300 kg ha-1 of N promoted greater soil resistance to penetration at 10 cm of depth in the post-grazing (3.3 MPa). No effect of N doses was observed for RM (P>0.05). The pre- and post-grazing height control of animals in the paddocks therefore helped to maintain the pasture structure and avoid the soil compaction process. According to the results, it is concluded that 200 and 300 kg ha-1 of N fertilization is a strategy for intensifying pastures