Stocking Method Effects on Canopy Characteristics and Herbage Accumulation of Mulato <scp>II</scp> Brachiariagrass

ABSTRACT Stocking methods have been shown to impact pasture canopy traits and herbage accumulation, but meaningful comparisons across methods require equivalent canopy conditions. This study assessed the effects of two mean canopy heights (20 and 30 cm) and three stocking methods (continuous stocking, CS; rotational stocking with lenient defoliation, RSL; and rotational stocking with moderate defoliation, RSM) on herbage mass (HM), herbage accumulation rate (HAR) and canopy structural characteristics of ‘Mulato II’ brachiariagrass ( Urochloa spp. syn. Brachiaria spp.) across two summer growing seasons in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Under CS, pastures were maintained at heights of 20 and 30 cm (±10% height variation). For RSL, it involved a ±20% height variation (33% defoliation intensity), while RSM had a ±30% height variation (approximately 47% defoliation intensity). The HAR averaged 97 kg DM ha −1 day −1 and did not differ across treatments. The HM was 32% greater at 30 cm than at 20 cm (7430 vs. 5640 kg DM ha −1 , respectively) but did not vary among stocking methods (6540 kg DM ha −1 ). The RSM required longer rest periods between grazings (36–58 days for heights of 20–30 cm, respectively) than RSL. At 20 cm, tiller population density was 12% greater than at 30 cm, although individual tillers were smaller (0.50 vs. 0.76 g DM tiller −1 ), as was the leaf area index (4.6 vs. 5.8). Despite similar HAR across treatments, canopy height was the main driver of structural responses. Managing Mulato II at 20 cm promotes an efficient canopy structure and rapid tissue turnover, making it the most favourable option under CS while still allowing flexibility across stocking methods.