Study on the compatibility of selected tropical pasture legumes when grown in association with paragrass (Brachiaria mutica Staft) on heavy soil

Experiment on the establishment of pure paragrass and paragrass grown in association with Verano stylo, Schofield stylo and Siratro was conducted at Kasetsart University, Bangkhen campus from June 1981-January 1983. Four pasture types (paragrass alone, paragrass/Verano stylo, paragrass/Schofield stylo, paragrass/Siratro) and three cutting intervals (30, 45, 60 days) were treated as a factorial set in a randomized complete block design. Cutting treatments were imposed 30 days after pasture establishment. All pasture types were totally cut 7, 5 and 4 times each year for two years at intervals of 30, 45 and 60 days respectively. Dry matter yields and pasture components were determined and summarized as follows. Successive cutting drastically reduced the number of all legume plants per plot at every cutting interval. Furthermore, lengthening the cutting interval from 30-60 days caused a reduction in plant number per plot in every cutting measured each year. The botanical composition, in terms of both dry matter and percentage of dry matter of paragrass, legumes and weeds, was recorded. At the termination of the second year with trials the percentage of yield reduction ranged from 48.40-76.10 and 73.17-93.39 % for total dry matter and paragrass dry matter respectively. In contrast the dry matter of legumes and weeds increased ranging from 7.56-84.62 and 63.37-95.81 % respectively when compared to those obtained at the termination of the first year trial. Verano stylo grown in association with paragrass was more persistent under frequent cutting (30 day interval) than those under less frequent cutting. In contrast Schofield stylo and Siratro persisted well at a cutting interval of 45 days. In terms of total pasture production without weeds the association of paragrass with a considerably high proportion of Schofield stylo cut every 45 days is recommended under the present conditions.