Dynamics of Mulatto Grass Regrowth Depending on Rotational Cattle Grazing Management
2024
Carlindo Santos Rodrigues | Márcia Cristina Teixeira da Silveira | Leandro Martins Barbero | Salim Jacaúna Sousa Júnior | Veridiana Aparecida Limão | Guilherme Pontes Silva | Sila Carneiro da Silva | Domicio do Nascimento Júnior
This study was carried out to characterize the dynamics of forage accumulation during the regrowth of Mulatto grass submitted to rotational grazing strategies. The treatments corresponded to combinations between two pre-grazing conditions (95% and a maximum light interception during regrowth—LI<sub>95%</sub> and LI<sub>Max</sub>) and two post-grazing conditions (post-grazing heights of 15 and 20 cm), according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and randomized complete block design, with four replications. Rates of leaf growth (LGR), stems growth (SGR), total growth (TGR), leaf senescence (LSR), grass accumulation (GAR) (kg·ha<sup>−1</sup>·day<sup>−1</sup>), and the senescence/canopy growth ratio during different stages of regrowth. There was no difference between the management strategies for TGR. However, a higher GAR was reported for pastures managed with LI<sub>95%</sub> relative to LI<sub>Max</sub>, of 161.7 and 120.2 kg DM ha<sup>−1</sup>·day<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Pastures managed with LI<sub>95%</sub> have a lower SGR in the intermediate and final regrowth period, reflecting the efficient control in the stalks production. On the other hand, in pastures managed, the LI<sub>Max</sub> showed higher SGR and LSR in the final regrowth phase. Thus, the LAI was higher in pastures managed at LI<sub>95%</sub> compared to those managed at LI<sub>Max</sub>, of 163.9 and 112.7 kg DM ha<sup>−1</sup>·day<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Mulatto grass pastures, which were managed at LI<sub>95%</sub> pre-grazing, corresponded to approximately 30 cm in height, showed higher LAI, and ensured a low SGR throughout the regrowth period, constituting a more efficient management strategy.
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