Forage accumulation, nutritive value, and grazing efficiency on rotationally stocked ‘Zuri’ guineagrass pastures as affected by pre‐graze canopy height and N rate

• Published in: Grass and forage science Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 308 - 317
• Main Authors: Almeida, Otávio Goulart, Pedreira, Carlos Guilherme Silveira, Assis, Juliana Aparecida, Silva, Valdson José, Pedreira, Bruno Carneiro e
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Accumulation; Canopies; Fertilization; Forage; forage losses; forage production; grassland; Grazing; grazing management; Megathyrsus maximus; Nitrogen; Nutritive value; Organic matter; Pasture; Pasture management
• ISSN: 0142-5242; 1365-2494
• DOI: 10.1111/gfs.12672

Grazing management and nitrogen fertilisation may affect forage accumulation (FA), nutritive value, and grazing efficiency (GE) of the highly productive ‘Zuri’ guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs syn. Panicum maximum Jacq.]. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of pre‐graze canopy heights [55 and 75 cm (H55 and H75, respectively)] and N fertilisation rates [150 and 300 kg N ha−1 year−1 (N150 and N300, respectively)] on FA, GE, grazing losses (GL), and nutritive value of Zuri under rotational stocking. The stubble height was 50% of the pre‐graze canopy height. The total FA was 20% greater under H75 than H55 (22,120 vs. 18,370 kg DM ha−1 year−1), as well as the GL was greater under H75 (85%) than under H55 (79%). Regardless of pre‐graze height, the upper stratum of the canopy was composed mostly of leaves contributing to similar crude protein (CP) (142 g kg−1) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) (559 g kg−1) concentrations. Greater N rate (N300) increased FA (23,500 vs. 16,980 kg DM ha−1 year−1) and resulted in greater GE (84% vs. 80%) compared to N150. The CP and IVDOM concentrations under N300 (157 and 571 g kg−1, respectively) were greater than under N150 (128 and 547 g kg−1). Zuri guineagrass grazed at H75 has great FA and GE, maintaining a similar forage nutritive value compared to H55.