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Distribution of stem in the vertical structure of Aruana guineagrass and annual ryegrass pastures subjected to rotational grazing by sheep/Distribuicao de colmo na estrutura vertical de pastos de capim Aruana e azevem anual submetidos a pastejo intermitente por ovinos
The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of stem in the vertical structure of Aruana guineagrass and annual ryegrass pastures submitted to strategies of rotational grazing by sheep. Treatments for Aruana guineagrass corresponded to grazing when the swards intercepted 95 and 9...
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| Published in: | Ciência rural 2012-05, Vol.42 (5), p.882 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of stem in the vertical structure of Aruana guineagrass and annual ryegrass pastures submitted to strategies of rotational grazing by sheep. Treatments for Aruana guineagrass corresponded to grazing when the swards intercepted 95 and 98% of the incident light (LI) until the postgrazing heights of 10 and 15cm. For annual ryegrass, treatments corresponded to grazing when the swards reached 15 and 25cm (pre-grazing heights) until the post-grazing of 4 and 8cm. The experimental design for two species was a completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, with three replications. To quantify the stem mass present at each 5cm in the vertical structure of the pastures two samples were taken per experimental unit (paddocks of 196[m.sup.2]) using a square of 25cmx25cm. Cut samples was separated in leaves, stem and dead material. Regardless of plant species or pre-grazing height, approximately 90% of the stem is present up to 50% of sward height, suggesting that reported intake reduction beyond this point can be attributed to difficulties in forage manipulation and apprehension. |
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| ISSN: | 0103-8478 1678-4596 |