Structural and productive characteristics of <i>Urochloa decumbens</i> (Stapf) R. Webster in monoculture and silvopastoral system
Abstract This study hypothesized that the signal grass ( Urochloa decumbens [Stapf] R. Webster) modifies its structural and productive characteristics under a silvopasture system with legume trees. The treatments were composed of (i) signal grass in monoculture and (ii) a silvopasture system intercropping signal grass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. a legume tree, over two consecutive years. The experiment was set in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Grazing was carried out by cattle with an average body weight (BW) of 186 ± 26 kg. The type of system had no significant effect on the structural and productive characteristics of signal grass. In the first grazing season, the greatest canopy height (54 cm) and total forage mass (6473 kg DM/ha) occurred in the dry period. The leaf:stem ratio was greater in the rainy season. Forage accumulation (515 kg DM/ha/28 days) and forage accumulation rate (18 kg DM/ha/day) were greater in the rainy season. Higher total forage production (4583 kg DM/ha) occurred in the first grazing season. The silvopasture with double rows spaced 25 m apart and with a tree density of 600 plants/ha did not compromise the structural and productivity characteristics of the signal grass pasture. The legume M. caesalpiniifolia has the potential for use as an arboreal component in silvopasture systems with signal grass.
Authors
- José Lypson Pinto Simões Izidro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3292-1379)
- Diana Valadares Pessoa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1194-4985)
- Chrislanne Barreira de Macêdo Carvalho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0704-4949)
- Alexandre Carneiro Leão de Mello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4721-9021)
- Vanilson Pedro da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5468-8766)
- Valdson José da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5650-9648)
- Janerson José Coêlho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1570-9461)
- Mércia Virgínia Ferreira dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7374-0910)
- Pedro Mouzinho de Oliveira Neto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1508-2008)
- Márcio Vieira da Cunha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1316-3218)
- Suellen Brandão de Miranda Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8371-4719)
Institutions
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR)
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (BR)
- Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (BR)
- Universidade Regional do Cariri (BR)
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Journal of Agricultural Science
- Published
- 2024-10-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021859624000650
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.14
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco