COMPOSIÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA E PRODUTIVIDADE DE Urochloa decumbens SOB DIFERENTES TEMPOS DE DIFERIMENTO.
COMPOSIÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA E PRODUTIVIDADE DE Urochloa decumbens SOB DIFERENTES TEMPOS DE DIFERIMENTO.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.8351525120612
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Palavras-chave: Forrageira tropical; Manejo de pastagem; Massa verde; Componentes morfológicos
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Keywords: Tropical forage; Pasture management; Green mass; Morphological components
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Abstract: Animal production based on pastures in Brazil faces challenges related to seasonality, nutritive value, and stem elongation of forage plants. Pasture deferment is a crucial management practice to optimize forage productivity and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological components and productivity of *Urochloa decumbens* under different deferment periods. The experiment was conducted in Divinópolis, MG, from April to July 2025, using a completely randomized design with four replicates. Three deferment periods (30, 60, and 90 days) were applied to 9 m² plots, with an initial cut at 20 cm and nitrogen fertilization (70 kg/ha of N). Green mass (GM) data and the percentages of leaf blade (%LB), pseudostem (%PS), dead material (%DM), and inflorescence (%INF) were assessed. Results indicated that green mass productivity showed no significant difference between 30 (763.89 kg GM/ha) and 60 days (694.45 kg GM/ha) of deferment, but the 90-day deferment resulted in the lowest productivity (305.84 kg GM/ha), representing a reduction of approximately 60% and 56% compared to 30 and 60 days, respectively. This reduction was attributed to unfavorable climatic conditions (low precipitation and temperature) during the experimental period. Regarding morphological components, the highest %LB was observed at 60 days (44.27%), while the lowest was at 90 days (26.34%). The %PS was highest at 30 days (38.05%) 10 and lowest at 90 days (10.86%). The %DM increased significantly with longer deferment (3.88% at 30 days to 47.95% at 90 days), due to senescence and light restriction in the lower canopy layers. The %INF showed a reduction only at 90 days of deferment (14.86%). It is concluded that the 30- day deferment strategy, initiated late, provides better forage accumulation and leaf blades, with a lower percentage of dead material, making it a viable alternative for the dry season. Prolonged deferment (90 days) significantly compromises pasture productivity and quality.
- Vinícius Valim Pereira
- Estela Campos Branquinho
- Fernando Augusto Soares
- Larissa Alice Ramos de Melo
- Flávia Maria da Fonseca
- Gustavo Augusto Fonseca
- Angélica das Dores Fonseca
- Marco Túlio Carvalho da Silva