The Duration of Regrowth Period and the Structural Traits in a Rotationally Grazed \u3ci\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/i\u3e Sward

Panicum maximum \u27cv\u27. Mombaça was rotationally grazed by steers. Three regrowth periods based on the number of expanded leaves per tiller: 2.5; 3.5 and 4.5, were compared. Three groups of seven tester steers, one for each treatment, grazed the replications of each experimental paddocks, the animals being removed from a paddock after 4 to 5 day grazing period when its sward leaf area index (LAI) was 1.5, on the average. Sward height and available biomass increased while tiller population density and leaf-stem ratio decreased with regrowth period. Overall averages observed for LAI and photosyntheticly active radiation interception by the end of regrowth periods did not differ among treatments but LAI and light interception evolved faster in the swards submitted to the shortest regrowth period towards the end of the grazing season

Morphogenesis and Growth Analysis of Panicum Maximum Cultivars

Four cultivars of Panicum maximum, grown in pots, were evaluated regarding their leaf appearance and elongation rates, tillering appearance rate, as well as growth indices. Differences among cultivars were found as to leaf appearance and elongation rates and tillering rates. Main tiller leaf appearance was higher relative to primary tiller in the seedling growth, only. Primary tiller showed higher leaf elongation rate in the aftermath growth. No difference among cultivars was found for drymatter yield after 52 d growth period, leaf mortality, net assimilation rate, leaf area ratio and relative growth rate

Forage Yield and Structural Traits of Tanzaniagrass (\u3cem\u3ePanicum Maximum\u3c/em\u3e) at Four Canopy Heights

Pasture forage production is based on the growth of tillers (Hodgson, 1990). Although the effect of canopy height and structural traits on productivity of temperate grasses are well known e.g. (Bircham & Hodgson,1983; Binnie & Chestnut, 1994) tiller studies on tropical pasture species are scarce

Desmanthus: A New Forage Legume to Improve Wool Growth in Tropical Australia

In tropical Australia, very short and erratic wet seasons are the critical factors in determining forage growth and animal production (Wheeler & Freer, 1986). Grasses are highly susceptible to low rainfall and animal production in such conditions become strictly seasonal. Improvements in meat and wool production by the introduction of stylo species (Stylosanthes sp.) into natural grasslands have been intensively reported (Gillard & Winter, 1984). However, there are currently no suitable introduced legumes for the c.28 million ha of Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) plains in heavy clay soils of western North Queensland, grazed predominately by wool producing Merino sheep (Phelps, 1999). Members of the genus Desmanthus appear to offer the possibility for filling this role (Gardiner et al., 2004). This work aimed to evaluate the potential of four Desmanthus accessions, in comparison with Verano stylo (Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano), as alternative supplements for diets of Mitchell grass hay fed to Merino wethers in western North Queensland