Forage production and morphogenesis of Mesosetum chaseae (Luces) at different cutting ages

Abstract

The effects of cutting plant age (21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 days) on dry matter (DM) yield, and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Mesosetum chaseae (Luces), was evaluated under natural field conditions. The experimental design was a completely randomized, with three replications. Evaluations were carried out during the period of June to August of 2009. DM yields, absolute growth rate (AGR), number of tillers/plant, number of leafs/plant, leaf elongation and senescence rates, leaf area and blade length increased consistently with growth stage. The relations between DM yields and AGR rate with cutting plants age were described by the quadratic regression model. The maximum DM yield and AGR were estimated at 53.9 and 39.5 days of regrowth. The crop growth and relative growth rates, and leaf appearance and elongation rates were inversely proportional to cutting plant age. Maximum tillering and leaf elongation rate were obtained with cutting at 59.7 and 47.1 days, respectively. These data suggest that cutting at 42 to 49 days were optimal for obtain maximum dry matter yields and improved the grass morphogenetic and structural characteristics.