MONTHLY FORAGE ACCUMULATION IN TIFTON 85 PASTURE IN WEST CATARINENSE

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.973252201065

• Palavras-chave: Sampling, growth curve, Cynodon, exclusion cage, forage production.

• Keywords: Sampling, growth curve, Cynodon, exclusion cage, forage production.

• Abstract:

  This study aimed to measure the monthly forage accumulation rate in a Tifton 85 pasture (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Tifton 68), as well as comparing the use of two sampling methods for this purpose. The experiment was carried out in an area of ​​0.96 ha, located in the Municipality of Campo Erê, State of Santa Catarina, used to feed lactating cows through rotational grazing. A completely randomized design was used, with four replications, each containing three collection stations, totaling twelve collection points. Pasture sampling to determine monthly forage accumulation (AF) occurred on the last day of each month, using the “non-pairing” (NE) and “triple-pairing” (TE) methods. The annual dry matter production evaluated by the NE method reached 25.4 t/ha, with 71% of this total concentrated in five months: January to March, November and December. Daily AF ranged from 16.94 (August) to 175.84 kg/ha (January), indicating strong seasonality in forage production. The PA values ​​estimated by the NE and TE methods were statistically similar in three seasons of the year, but there was divergence in the result for the months from October to December (spring), showing that these methods are not equivalent. The survey will be extended for another two years in order to reduce the possible erratic effect caused by the specific weather conditions of a given year.

   

• Número de páginas: 15