Características de crescimento e valor nutritivo de clones de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) manejados sob lotação rotacionada na estação seca

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the variables related to the heights in the pre and post grazing sward, the production of dry biomass of green forage, morphological composition, leaf:stem ratio and nutritive value of two clones of elephant grass managed under rotational stocking. Was adopted a completely randomized design with repeated measures in time (grazing cycles) and three replications (paddocks). The sward heights, in pre and post grazing were influenced by the clones and grazing cycles, being the highest values observed for clone CNPGL 03-01-00. The production of dry mass of green forage was influenced by clone and grazing cycle, with higher mean value observed for CNPGL 03-01- 00, which was 17% higher than that observed for CNPGL 92-198-7, and there was decreased of dry mass of green forage with the advance of grazing cycles. The production of dry matter of leaves was influenced only by grazing cycle, with gradual reduction from the first to the third cycle. However, in fourth cycle was increase in biomass of leaves, which did not differ from that observed in the second cycle. There was interaction clone x cycle for the production of dry matter of stem, being observed differences in the first and third cycles for the clones. There was no effect of the factors studied for the production of senescent material. The leaf: stem ratio was influenced by grazing cycles, with interaction of the factors. The clone CNPGL 91-198-7 kept the leaf:stem ratio stable over the cycles, while clone CNPGL 1-3-00 presented a decrease in leaf:stem ratio from first until to third cycle. The number of aerial tillers was influenced by grazing cycles, increasing from the first until to third cycle, while the fourth cycle was observed decreased in the number of these tillers. The basal tillers were only effect of clones, where CNPGL 91-198-7 showed a higher number of these tillers. Crude protein (CP) and lignin (LIG) content were not affected by clones or by grazing cycles. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were affected only by grazing cycles. The highest values of NDF were observed at the firsts three grazing cycles and, in the fourth grazing cycle the NDF was reduced. The IVDMD decreased until the third cycle; however, in the fourth cycle the values obtained were similar to those of the first cycle. According to results obtained the clone CNPGL 92-198-7 showed higher production of dry matter of the leaves, lower production of dry matter of stem and higher density of basal tillers, which may indicate its greatest potential for use under grazing, when compared to CNPGL 01-03-00.