Herbage mass, height and frequency of botanical components in forage canopy of multispecies pastures

Multispecies pastures are an alternative to increase sustainability of pasture systems, but evaluating their botanical components is a challenge. The objective of this study was to estimate the presence of botanical components in pastures with different canopy heights through measurement of forage mass, height and frequency. The species were Aruana guineagrass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana) and three legumes: Macrotyloma axillare cv. Java; Calopogonium mucunoides; and Stylosanthes macrocephala + S. capitata, managed under continuous stocking and variable stocking with sheep. The treatments corresponded to four canopy height targets (CHTs), of 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm, in a randomized block design with four replications, totaling 16 experimental units (paddocks). The herbage mass and botanical and morphological components were measured with monthly cuts in three areas at ground level and separated into Aruana guineagrass, Legumes, Dead Material and Weeds. The canopy height was measured with a sward stick and the botanical components touched by the stick were used to calculate frequency. The herbage mass was greater in taller pastures, while the proportions of Aruana, Legumes and Weeds were similar among CHTs. The frequency of Aruana and Legumes did not differ among CHTs, and Weed frequency was highest in 15 cm pastures. The correlation between the proportion and frequency of Legumes was not significant (P=0.2809). The components’ proportions in the herbage mass, botanical components' height and frequency can be used to estimate their presence in multispecies pastures.