Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Low productivity and poor feeding value of native pastures and improved pure grass pastures during the dry season, are responsible for low beef cattle performance in the Cerrados. Legume introduction into native pastures increases forage yield and feed quality but requires land clearing and fertilizer application. Introduction of legumes into old Brachiaria pastures offers a higher forage yield potential and can use previously applied fertilizer. Two planting methods, (i) over-sowing after light soil surface disturbance and (ii) sodseeding in rows 35 cm apart, were equally effective in terms of number of plants established in an eight years old Brachiaria ruziziensis pasture, 35 days after sowing (from 12 to 43 plants m-2 for different legumes). Stylosanthes macrocephala cv. Pioneiro and S. guianensis cv. Bandeirante were better than two ecotypes of S. capitata (CIAT 1019 and 1097) in terms of contribution to total dry matter yield, as measured by cuts performed at the end of the second and third rainy seasons. Legume content ranged from 28 to 42 percent at the end of third rainy season while total forage yield was increased 238 percent with the best treatment combinations. Fertilizer alone ( ordinary superphosphate at 250 kg ha-1) increased forage yield by 56 to 87 percent while surface soil disturbance alone added very little to forage yield increases.
Citation
Couto, W; Leite, G G.; and Barcellos, A O., "The Introduction of Legumes into a Degraded Cultivated Pasture in the Cerrados of Brazil" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 54.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/54)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Introduction of Legumes into a Degraded Cultivated Pasture in the Cerrados of Brazil
Kyoto Japan
Low productivity and poor feeding value of native pastures and improved pure grass pastures during the dry season, are responsible for low beef cattle performance in the Cerrados. Legume introduction into native pastures increases forage yield and feed quality but requires land clearing and fertilizer application. Introduction of legumes into old Brachiaria pastures offers a higher forage yield potential and can use previously applied fertilizer. Two planting methods, (i) over-sowing after light soil surface disturbance and (ii) sodseeding in rows 35 cm apart, were equally effective in terms of number of plants established in an eight years old Brachiaria ruziziensis pasture, 35 days after sowing (from 12 to 43 plants m-2 for different legumes). Stylosanthes macrocephala cv. Pioneiro and S. guianensis cv. Bandeirante were better than two ecotypes of S. capitata (CIAT 1019 and 1097) in terms of contribution to total dry matter yield, as measured by cuts performed at the end of the second and third rainy seasons. Legume content ranged from 28 to 42 percent at the end of third rainy season while total forage yield was increased 238 percent with the best treatment combinations. Fertilizer alone ( ordinary superphosphate at 250 kg ha-1) increased forage yield by 56 to 87 percent while surface soil disturbance alone added very little to forage yield increases.
