Effects of stubble height and season of the year on morphogenetic, structural and quantitative traits of Tanzania grass

Authors

  • Nauara Moura Lage Filho Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brazil.
  • Aline Da Rosa Lopes Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brazil.
  • Aníbal Coutinho Do Rêgo Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brazil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5452-0832
  • Felipe Nogueira Domingues Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Unaí, MG, Brazil.
  • Cristian Faturi Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brazil.
  • Thiago Carvalho Da Silva Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brazil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7823-3950
  • Ebson Pereira Cândido Federal Rural University of Amazônia, Capanema, PA, Brazil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5235-6768
  • Wilton Ladeira Silva Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17138/tgft(9)256-267

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate regrowth period (RP), morphogenetic, structural and productive characteristics of the guinea grass cultivar Tanzania [Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum)] under different stubble heights (SH) during dry (DS) and rainy (RS) seasons in the eastern Amazon region. The treatments were: 5, 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 cm SH, distributed in a randomized complete block design with 6 replicates. In the 2 seasons, RP decreased linearly with increase in SH, and was considerably shorter in the RS (47 d). Leaf appearance rate decreased linearly from 0.071 to 0.051 leaves/tiller/d with increasing SH, and it was higher during the RS. Increase in SH increased leaf elongation rate, stem elongation rate and leaf area index. In the RS, climatic conditions favored the morphogenesis, resulting in higher herbage accumulation (8,693 kg DM/ha) than in the DS (2,597 kg DM/ha). In associating seasons with SH, we recommend that Tanzania grass be managed at SH between 35 and 45 cm in the DS, resulting in RP from 61 to 64 days, and at SH of 35 cm in the RS, resulting in RP of 41 days. Studies to test this management strategy seem warranted.

Author Biography

Wilton Ladeira Silva, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

Professor

Animal Science

How to Cite

Lage Filho, N. M., Lopes, A. D. R., Do Rêgo, A. C., Domingues, F. N., Faturi, C., Da Silva, T. C., Cândido, E. P., & Silva, W. L. (2021). Effects of stubble height and season of the year on morphogenetic, structural and quantitative traits of Tanzania grass. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales, 9(3), 256–267. https://doi.org/10.17138/tgft(9)256-267

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Published

2021-09-30

Issue

Section

Research Papers