The fermentative characteristics and the chemical composition of elephant grass silages with increasing levels of dehydrated passionfruit by-product (DPB) were evaluated. Five DPB addition levels (0.0; 3.5; 7.0; 10.5; and 14.0%; in a grass fresh matter basis), in a complete randomized design with four replicates were studied. The grass was cut at 60 days of age, chopped, and ensiled, reaching a packing density of 600 kg/m3. After 28 days of ensiling, the silos were opened and samples were collected for […]

The winter forage species Black-oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) cv. EMBRAPA 29 and triticale (X triticosecale Wittmack.) cv. IAC 3, were studied on three planting dates, April (4/21/2004), May (5/20/2004), and June (6/21/2004) in order to evaluate the technical viability of forage produced under harvest and grazing, in the Northern Region of Rio de Janeiro State. DM production was greater for the harvest system when planted in May, where Black-oat produced 2,317.48 kg DM/ha and triticale 2,128.30 kg DM/ha, compared to […]

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass silage wilted under the sun light for eight hours. Other treatments involved the same elephant grass without exposing to sun light but with addition of 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28% of cocoa meal (CM) at the ensilage process. The PVC silos used in the experiment measured 0.15 m of diameter and 0.30 m of height. During the ensiling process the forage was compressed until reach 500 […]

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the DM production, leaf:stem ratio, CP content and leaf and stem efficiency response to nitrogen of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. grass, fertilized with different N and P doses during the summer period. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with three replicates in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement, composed by four N doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha/year), using ammonium sulfate, and three P2O5 doses (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha/year), using super simple phosphate. The K […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate ingestive behaviour and performance of sheep grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture with different herbage mass (HM): low HM: 1,000 – 1,200 kg/ha of DM (LHM); medium HM: 1,400-1,600 kg/ha DM (MHM); high HM 1,800-2,000 kg/ha DM (HHM). A completely randomized design with three treatments and two replicates (paddocks) per treatment was used. Data were submitted to polynomial regression analysis in function of the actual HM observed in each experimental unit: […]

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the cutting height (10 cm and 20 cm) and cutting interval (30 days and 45 days) in the DM production of dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir. biótipo Virasoro) cultivated under field conditions. Plants were cut between September/2003 and June/2004, nine and six times, for the 30 d and 45 d cutting interval, respectively. The total DM yield did not differ among treatments, with an average of 2,017 g DM/row. There was a significant […]

This research evaluated the inclusion of chemical additive and the inoculation with homo and heterofermentative bacteria on the aerobic stability of the Marandu grass silages and on the total mixed ration (TMR). It was conducted three experiments to evaluate sodium benzoate and two inoculants: 1. Lactobacillus plantarum + Propionibacterium and; 2. Lactobacillus buchneri. The silos were opened after 60 days of fermentation; the silages and the TMR containing the silages were placed in a polystyrene box, and transferred to a […]

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of different fertilization and cutting intensity combinations on morphogenic and productive characteristics of Panicum maximum Jaccq., cv. Tanzania in pots. Leaf appearance rate (LAR) and phyllochron were not influenced by cutting intensities. Plants fertilized with N, however, produced greater LAR and phyllochron, with 0.21, 0.20, and 0.19 leaf/day and 4.67, 5.03, and 5.43 day/leaf for N and K (NK), N and P (NP), and N, P and K (NPK) combinations, respectively. […]

The objective of this research was to quantify leaf photosynthetic rates during the regrowth period and to model canopy photosynthesis of vegetative swards of Xaraés palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf.] under contrasting management strategies of rotational stocking. Early regrowth was characterized by low photosynthetic potential (10.4 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) and for paddocks under the 100% LI treatment, leaf photosynthesis was 3.3 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1, which may require plants to draw on organic reserves during the early phases […]

In order to evaluate the influence of tropical grass sward structure on the intake of grazing cattle, five sward heights (60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 cm) of Panicum maximum Jacq. were established, in a completely randomized design with two replications. Four black-and-white coat Holstein heifers, carrying feces and urine bags, were used in grazing tests of 45 minutes each. Number of bites and feeding time were registered by counters and chronometers. Total herbage mass consumed was obtained by double […]