The morphological characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Nui), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Vision) and red clover (Trifolium pratense cv. Pawera) in response to four shade levels (0, 25, 50 and 75%) and two shade patterns (continuous and alternate) were assessed in three growth periods (establishment, first regrowth and second regrowth), in New Zealand, to evaluate the adaptation of different species to changes in the light environment. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with three […]

This study was carried out to evaluate the productivity, utilization and sward structure of a mixed massaigrass (Panicum maximum x P. infestum, cv. Massai) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Ac 01) pasture, intermittently stocked at three daily herbage allowance levels (9.0, 14.5 and 18.4% of live weight). In each grazing cycle, dry matter (DM) accumulation rates, defoliation intensity (%), grazing depth (%) and grazed horizon (cm) were evaluated. The structure of massaigrass tussocks was characterized in both dry and rainy […]

This study was carried out to define sward management targets for mixed Massaigrass (Panicum maximum x P. infestum, cv. Massai) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Ac 01) pastures in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Seasonal variation in the pasture carrying capacity was also analyzed. Pastures were intermittently stocked at three daily herbage allowance levels (9.0, 14.5 and 18.4% of live weight) from October 2002 to December 2003. Sward targets were defined in terms of the sward condition that best conciliated the […]

This study was carried out from October 2002 to December 2003 to evaluate the dynamics of sward condition and botanical composition of a mixed massaigrass (Panicum maximum x P. infestum, cv. Massai) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Ac 01) pasture, intermittently stocked at three daily herbage allowance levels (9.0, 14.5 and 18.4% live weight). Sward condition was characterized in each grazing cycle in terms of the pre and post-grazing sward height, forage mass and percentage of bare ground. Botanical composition […]

This trial was carried out from June 1999 to March 2000 to evaluate the chemical composition of samples of sabiá legume (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.), with and without thorns, collected in the rainy and dry seasons and to compare the botanical composition of sabiá pasture with that of the diet selected by the grazing animals. No significant difference was observed in chemical composition between samples of sabiá with and without thorns. The mean values obtained in the rainy samples were: 26.45% […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the speed of establishment of accessions of Arachis repens and Arachis pintoi with the purpose of selecting materials capable of producing adequate quantities of high quality forage, according to the requirements of the intensive cattle production systems of Acre. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. The treatments consisted of two accessions of Arachis repen, seven accession and two cultivars of Arachis pintoi, identified as promising for the environmental […]

A study was conducted in the Brazilian Cerrados to evaluate the performance of six tropical forage grasses (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, B. brizantha cv. MG-4, B. decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, Melinis minutiflora and Hyparrhenia rufa), associated or not with the tropical forage legume Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirão, in a silvopastoral system with a clone of Eucalyptus sp. The forages were established in plots of 12 x 10 m, in the interrows of eucalypts, in a randomized block […]

Experiment was carried out with the goal to evaluate the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on fiber fraction, tannin level and dry matter in vitro digestibility of jurema-preta hay. Leaves were harvested by hand and dried under shadow. Chemical treatment was done by pulverization of hay with 0; 2; 4; 6 and 8% NaOH solution following the proportion of 1 liter of solution to 1 kg of hay. Samples of hay were submitted to determinations of dry matter (DM), crude […]

The effect of isolated trees of baginha (Stryphnodendron guianense (Aubl.) Benth.) on some aspects of cultivated pasture ecosystems was studied in the Western Amazon of Brazil. Soil fertility, nutrients in the litter, soil water content, light transmission to sward, herbage availability, and chemical and morphological composition of the grasses (mixture of Brachiaria decumbens and B. brizantha cv. Marandu) were assessed under the canopies of baginha trees and in the adjacent open areas. The trees had positive effect on soil fertility, […]

Adesmia latifolia is a forage legume native from Southern Brazil which is outstanding due to stoloniferous growth habit and for forage production during the cool season. The Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) is a forage usually utilized as cool season species in subtropical and temperate regions. For both species, however, there is a reduced number of scientific works related to the nodule type and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). This work had the purpose to analyze such processes in these species and […]