Open AccessStructural and Productive Characteristics of Urochloa Cultivars Submitted to Different Defoliation Frequencies in Semiarid Region
Author(s) -
Jacqueline dos Santos Oliveira,
João Virgínio Emerenciano Neto,
Rodrigo da Silva Santos,
Breno Ramon de Souza Bonfim,
Fábio Nunes Lista,
Vanessa Alexandre Vieira,
Gelson dos Santos Difante
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of agricultural studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2166-0379
DOI - 10.5296/jas.v7i3.15177
Subject(s) - forage , cultivar , leaf blade , canopy , completely randomized design , biology , agronomy , stem and leaf display , dry matter , mathematics , horticulture , botany
This study assessed the effect of three cutting intervals (30, 45 and 60 days) on structural and production features of five different cultivars (Urochloa Brizantha: Marandu, Piatã and Xaraés; Urochloa decumbens: Basilisk; Urochloa hybrid: Mulato I). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. The interaction between the defoliation frequency and the cultivars not significant to the length and width of the leaf blade, the diameter of the stem, and the number of living leaves. There was no effect of the cutting intervals on the width of the leaf blade, and the number or living leaves. The length and width of the leaf blade were highest in the Xaraés grass. The diameter of the stem, the height canopy and the forage mass grew as a function of the cutting interval. Cv. Xaraés displayed the highest heights and was the most productive. Stems and leaves masses, and the accumulation rates grew with the increase of the cutting intervals. The ratio leaf blade stem decreased as increasing the cutting intervals. Urochloa pastures should be handled with defoliation frequencies up to 45 days. Cv. Xaraés displays a high dry matter production and we suggest its use in intensive production systems.