Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment
Description
The main causes of the decline of Brachiaria pasture in the tropics are lack of maintenance, fertilisation and excessively high animal stocking rates (Boddey et al., 2004). Brachiaria brizantha has two predominant morphological forms: 1) relatively high stems with grouped tillers at a high position constructed from short leaves (bunch type); 2) low stems with long leaves, which in time evolve into the first type (Kanno et al., 1999). The concept of Brachiaria management involves animals entering to commence grazing when the pasture is 50-60cm high and being removed at 25-30cm, leaving a regrowth period of at least 30 d (Alves et al., 1996). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of two distinct regrowth periods (short versus very long) on the morphology of Brachiaria brizantha Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Bb), in a silvopastoral system (SPS) with Corymbia citriodora Hook. (Cc).
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Evolution and Ageing of Brachiaria Brizantha Pasture Component in a Silvopastoral System
The main causes of the decline of Brachiaria pasture in the tropics are lack of maintenance, fertilisation and excessively high animal stocking rates (Boddey et al., 2004). Brachiaria brizantha has two predominant morphological forms: 1) relatively high stems with grouped tillers at a high position constructed from short leaves (bunch type); 2) low stems with long leaves, which in time evolve into the first type (Kanno et al., 1999). The concept of Brachiaria management involves animals entering to commence grazing when the pasture is 50-60cm high and being removed at 25-30cm, leaving a regrowth period of at least 30 d (Alves et al., 1996). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of two distinct regrowth periods (short versus very long) on the morphology of Brachiaria brizantha Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Bb), in a silvopastoral system (SPS) with Corymbia citriodora Hook. (Cc).
