Forage productivity and chemical composition of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tamani under defoliations regimes

Abstract

The effects of defoliation frequency (21, 28, 35 and 42 days) and defoliation intensity (20, 30 and 40 cm above the ground) on green dry matter (GDM) yield, and chemical composition of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tamani were evaluated under natural field conditions at the Roraima´s savannas. Defoliation regimes affect productivity and chemical composition of M. maximus cv. Tamani forage. The decrease in the pasture defoliation frequency and intensity improved the accumulation of forage, however it reduces the tissue concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg and K. Irrespective of defoliation frequencies, the highest levels of N (25.31 g kg-1), P (2.11 g kg-1), Mg (2.78 g kg-1) and K (21.13 g kg-1) were recorded for the defoliation intensity at 40 cm above the ground, except for Ca (4.31 g kg-1), where the greatest concentration was obtained with defoliations at 30 cm above the ground. The use of defoliation frequency around 32 days and defoliation intensity of 28 cm above the ground can be considered adequate for the management of pastures of M. maximus cv. Tamani, in order to provides higher forage productivity and quality, regrowth vigor, larger efficiency of forage utilization, greater tissue renewal and canopy structure more favorable to grazing.