ABSTRACT: Climate, soil and management are the main drives for growth and production of tropical pastures. Thus, a better understanding of the effects of these factors and their interactions under climate conditions is required to obtain effective management options. Here, we used data from two field trials to research on climate and management interactions on the production seasonality of Panicum maximum Jacq. Treatments included four sampling times (250, 500, 750, and 1000 °C accumulated) during eight regrowth period, under irrigated and rainfed conditions and, cuts were made to simulate grazing intensity. All treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with four replications. At each sampling time, basal tillers were sampled to observe meristematic differentiation and were linked with the respective daylength. Soil moisture was determined, and the water availability index (WAI) was calculated. The dry matter production (DMP) was taken and relative productivity was calculated. Soil moisture was the key seasonal drive in spring-summer and the WAI could be used to adjust the maximum production for that season. The major drive for DMP in fall was the daylength, which was found at 11.81 h. For all seasons, DMP correlated better with the residues in early regrowth phase (r = 0.82 and p < 0.0001) and with degree-days at final regrowth phase (r = 0.73 p < 0.01). Applying these critical values to management guidelines should make Guinea grass DMP more efficient on tropical farms.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar cenários futuros da produção de forragem de capim-marandu, submetido às mudanças climáticas, no Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se um modelo de cultivo empírico para estimar a produção, de acordo com os graus-dia de desenvolvimento ajustados pelo fator de penalização hídrica. Dados climáticos de 23 estações meteorológicas, observados de 1963 a 2009, foram utilizados para caracterizar as condições climáticas atuais. Projeções regionalizadas de dois modelos de circulação global foram utilizadas para projetar o clima futuro, para os períodos de 2013-2040 e 2043-2070, considerando-se dois níveis contrastantes de aumento de temperatura e concentração atmosférica de CO2 (alto e baixo). A produção anual de matéria seca poderá ser de 14 a 42% superior ao acúmulo atual, a depender do cenário avaliado. A variação do acúmulo deverá aumentar entre estações (sazonalidade) e entre anos. O aumento da taxa de acúmulo de forragem será maior na estação chuvosa do que na seca, e este resultado é mais evidente para solos com baixa capacidade de armazenamento de água. Os resultados variaram significativamente entre as regiões (<10% a >60%). Apesar de seu maior potencial climático, as regiões mais quentes provavelmente terão menor incremento na futura produção de forragem.

The objective of this work was to analyze future scenarios for palisade grass yield subjected to climate change for the state of São Paulo, Brazil. An empirical crop model was used to estimate yields, according to growing degree-days adjusted by one drought attenuation factor. Climate data from 1963 to 2009 of 23 meteorological stations were used for current climate conditions. Downscaled outputs of two general circulation models were used to project future climate for the 2013-2040 and 2043-2070 periods, considering two contrasting scenarios of temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration increase (high and low). Annual dry matter yield should be from 14 to 42% higher than the current one, depending on the evaluated scenario. Yield variation between seasons (seasonality) and years is expected to increase. The increase of dry matter accumulation will be higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, and this result is more evident for soils with low-water storage capacity. The results varied significantly between regions (<10% to >60%). Despite their higher climate potential, warmer regions will probably have a lower increase in future forage production.

Two cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex. A. Rich) Stapf. (Syn. Urochloa) were evaluated for their adaptation to water deficit and the stress response mechanisms in a greenhouse experiment. The experimental design was in completely randomized blocks with a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. The Marandu and BRS Piatã cultivars were evaluated under two water availability conditions, with or without water restriction. The harvests were carried out 0, 7, 14 and 28 days after the start of water restriction. For both cultivars, the water deficit stress caused a reduction in shoot biomass and leaf area and an increase in the percentage of roots in the deeper soil layers. The B. brizantha cv. Marandu reached critical levels of leaf water potential in a shorter period of water restriction than did the B. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã. The osmoregulation and deepening of the root system are mechanisms of adaptation to water stress observed in both Marandu and BRS Piatã cultivars. Besides that, the Marandu cultivar also increases its leaf senescence and, consequentially, decreases its leaf area, as a response to water deficit.

Dry mass production and persistence of Panicum maximum pastures depends on nitrogen supply. Defoliation influences N uptake and allocation patterns yet its effects on plasticity of N dynamics in P. maximum have not been investigated. Stable isotopes of N (15N) were used in order to test the hypothesis that defoliation in terms of proportion of the leaf area removed effects N mobilisation, uptake and allocation patterns in P. maximum. The plants were initially cut weekly to a height of either 0.15 m or 0.30 m for seven weeks. Eight weeks after the first defoliation, all plants were defoliated for a final time to remove 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 % of the area of each individual leaf blade of the main tiller. Root N uptake was reduced when all leaf area was removed, but more lenient defoliation improved N uptake due to a positive effect on specific N uptake. Young leaves, side tillers and roots were the main sinks for N from root uptake. Roots of P. maximum became a net source of N for mobilisation immediately after severe defoliation. Root uptake was the main source of N for new growth in P. maximum plants. Allocation pattern of mobilised N was different from that of N derived from root uptake. It was concluded that adaptation of P. maximum to defoliation is related to plasticity of N uptake, mobilisation and allocation, but changes in N dynamics did not offset negative impacts of complete defoliation of the plants.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e validar modelos de regressão linear para a estimativa de produção de matéria seca de capim‑tanzânia (Megathyrsus maximus, cultivar Tanzania) em função de variáveis agrometeorológicas. Para tanto, dados de períodos de crescimento da forragem entre 2000 e 2005, em condições de sequeiro em São Carlos, SP, foram correlacionados aos seguintes parâmetros climáticos: temperaturas mínima e média, graus‑dia, evapotranspiração potencial e atual. Foram realizadas regressões lineares simples entre as variáveis agrometeorológicas (independentes) e a taxa média de acúmulo (dependente). As estimativas foram validadas com dados independentes obtidos em São Carlos e Piracicaba, SP. Os melhores resultados estatísticos observados no desenvolvimento e na validação dos modelos foram obtidos para parâmetros agrometeorológicos que levem em consideração o efeito térmico e hídrico conjuntamente, como evapotranspiração real, acúmulo de graus‑dia corrigido pela disponibilidade hídrica e índice climático de crescimento, baseado na temperatura média, na radiação solar e na disponibilidade hídrica. Essas variáveis podem ser utilizadas em simulações e modelos para prever a produção do capim‑tanzânia.

The objective of this work was to develop and validate linear regression models to estimate the production of dry matter by Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximus, cultivar Tanzania) as a function of agrometeorological variables. For this purpose, data on the growth of this forage grass from 2000 to 2005, under dry‑field conditions in São Carlos, SP, Brazil, were correlated to the following climatic parameters: minimum and mean temperatures, degree‑days, and potential and actual evapotranspiration. Simple linear regressions were performed between agrometeorological variables (independent) and the dry matter accumulation rate (dependent). The estimates were validated with independent data obtained in São Carlos and Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. The best statistical results in the development and validation of the models were obtained with the agrometeorological parameters that consider thermal and water availability effects together, such as actual evapotranspiration, accumulation of degree‑days corrected by water availability, and the climatic growth index, based on average temperature, solar radiation, and water availability. These variables can be used in simulations and models to predict the production of Tanzania grass.

The objective of this work was to define critical periods for sorghum and palisadegrass cultivated on crop-livestock integrated systems under water deficit. An experiment was carried out in a completely random block design with four treatments (control and interruption of water supply in three periods) and three replicates. Water supply was interrupted until soil water humidity was close to permanent wilting point at the phases: germination of palisadegrass seeds; start of tillering of palisadegrass and initiation of panicles of shorghum; start of shorghum flowering. Water deficit starting at palisadegrass germination delayed intital development of the plants because of the reduction in tillering. Water restriction at panicle initiation phase and at sorghum flowering determined reduction of grain production. Critical periods for intercrop of sorghum and palisadegrass correspond to palisadegrass germination phase and flowering and panicle inititation phase of sorghum.

O objetivo deste estudo foi testar modelos empíricos de regressão linear, para a predição do acúmulo de matéria seca (TAMS) de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, em função de variáveis agrometeorológicas. Para gerar os modelos, foi utilizada a taxa média de acúmulo de matéria seca, em condições de sequeiro, entre 1998 e 2002. As variáveis avaliadas foram: temperaturas mínima, máxima e média, radiação global (Rg), graus-dia, evapotranspiração real (ETR) e potencial (ETP) obtidas a partir do balanço hídrico, unidades fototérmicas (UF) e índice climático de crescimento (ICC). As regressões univariada e multivariada mostraram boa capacidade de predição, com exceção para as que utilizam a UF. Os melhores resultados foram para a regressão multivariada, com Tmín, Rg e ETR: R², 0,84; raiz do quadrado médio do resíduo (RQMR), 14,72; e critério de informação de Akaike (CIA), 222,5. Na regressão linear univariada, destacaram-se as variáveis: graus-dia corrigido (R², 0,75; RQMR,17,84; e CIA, 242,6), temperatura mínima corrigida (R², 0,75; RQMR, 17,82; CIA, 244,1), e ICC (R², 0,74; RQMR, 17,85; CIA, 236,9). A correção das variáveis agrometeorológicas pela relação entre evapotranspiração real e potencial (ETR/ETP), em geral, melhora a predição da TAMS pelos modelos.

The objective of this work was to test empirical linear regression models, to predict dry matter accumulation rates (DMAR) of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, using agrometeorological variables. To generate the models, the average dry matter accumulation under rainfed conditions, between 1998 and 2002, was used. The evaluated variables were: minimum, maximum and average temperatures, global radiation (GR), degree-days, actual (AET) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) obtained from the water balance, photothermal units (PU) and the climatic growth index (CGI). Except for the PU, the univariate and multivariate regressions showed good predictive ability. The best results were for the multivariate regression, with Tmín, GR and AET: R², 0.84; root mean square residual (RMSR), 14.72; and Akaike's information criterium (AIC), 222.5. In the univariate regression, the following variables stood out: corrected degree-days (R², 0.75; RMSR, 17.84; CIA, 242.6), corrected minimum temperature (R², 0.75; RMSR, 17.82; AIC, 244.1); and CGI (R², 0.74; RMSR, 17.85; AIC, 236.9). The correction of the agrometeorological variables using the relation between real and potential evapotranspiration (AET/PET) enhances, in general, the model prediction of DMAR.

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de realizar a descrição botânica de 11 linhagens de Cajanus cajan. Os principais descritores foram: hábito de crescimento, altura de plantas (cm), número de ramos, diâmetro do caule (mm), cor básica da flor, cor básica da vagem, cor das sementes, cor em volta do hilo das sementes, largura do hilo e forma das sementes. Os descritores utilizados mostraram-se suficientes para caracterizar as linhagens com características distintas, pelas quais podem ser facilmente identificadas.

This work aimed to perform the morphologic characterization of eleven previously selected Cajanus cajan lines. The main descriptors were: plant height (cm), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), basic flower color, basic pod color, seed color, seed hilum color, hilum thickness, and seed shape. The descriptors used were sufficient to characterize the lines with distinct characteristics. Using these descriptors the lines may be easily identified.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar características morfogenéticas e taxa de acúmulo de forragem em pastos de capim-Mombaça submetidos a três intervalos de pastejo (28, 38 e 48 dias) entre outubro de 1995 e setembro de 1996. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com arranjo em parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Foram avaliadas as taxas de alongamento e senescência foliar, a taxa de alongamento das hastes, a densidade populacional de perfilhos e a altura do pasto. Essas informações permitiram estimar a taxa de acúmulo líquido de matéria seca. A taxa de alongamento de hastes e folhas seguiu comportamento estacional, sendo mais elevada nos meses de maior temperatura e precipitação. A taxa de senescência foliar foi maior com 48 dias de intervalo de pastejo e praticamente nula entre maio e setembro. O cultivar Mombaça deve ser pastejado com, aproximadamente, 28 dias no período de outubro a maio e 48 dias entre maio e setembro. O manejo do capim-Mombaça não pode ser orientado apenas pelos valores de taxa de acúmulo de matéria seca, sendo necessários estudos sobre as perdas de pastejo e os efeitos da presença das hastes na eficiência de pastejo, consumo e qualidade de forragem, a fim de se determinar melhor o manejo deste capim.

The aim of this study was to evaluate morphogenetic characteristics and net herbage accumulation rate in Mombaçagrass pastures under three grazing intervals (28, 38 and 48 days) from October 1995 to September 1996. Trials were set in a split plot randomized block experimental design, with grazing intervals as main plots and periods as subplots. Leaf and stem elongation rates, leaf senescence rate, tiller density and pasture height were evaluated. Net herbage accumulation rate was estimated using tissue turnover data. Leaf and stem elongation rates were higher during the summer and early autumn. Leaf senescence rate was higher on the 48 days grazing interval treatment. There was almost no leaf senescence from May to September. Grazing intervals for Mombaçagrass should be around 28 days from October to May (late spring to early autumn) and 48 days from May to September (late autumn to winter). Mombaça grass management should not be based just on net herbage accumulation rates. Grazing losses due to poor management and excessive stem production which reduces the grazing efficiency, animal intake and forage quality are factors that must be taken into account to improve Mombaçagrass management.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do intervalo entre pastejos e do período de avaliação sobre algumas características morfogenéticas do capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) e verificar se o manejo desse capim pode ser baseado na taxa de acúmulo de matéria seca na região Sudeste do Brasil. Foi utilizado um delineamento de blocos completos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Foi avaliado o efeito de três intervalos entre pastejos e de sete períodos de avaliação entre outubro de 1995 e setembro de 1996 sobre: taxa de alongamento foliar e dos colmos, taxa de senescência foliar, altura dos colmos e densidade populacional de perfilhos. Essas informações permitiram determinar a taxa líquida de acúmulo de matéria seca. O capim-tanzânia deve ser pastejado com cerca de 38 dias no período de outubro a abril, com 28 dias na fase reprodutiva (abril/maio) e com aproximadamente 48 dias entre maio e setembro. O intervalo entre pastejos do capim-tanzânia não deve ser estabelecido apenas com base na taxa de acúmulo de matéria seca. São necessários estudos sobre as interações entre produção de hastes e eficiência de pastejo, consumo e qualidade de forragem, a fim de se determinar melhor o manejo desse capim.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of grazing interval and period of evaluation over tissue turnover in Tanzania grass pastures (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania) and to ascertain if herbage accumulation rate can be used as a criterion to establish a defoliation schedule for this grass in Southeast of Brazil. A randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement was used. The effect of three grazing intervals was evaluated within seven periods between October 1995 and September 1996. Responses monitored were leaf and stem elongation rates, leaf senescence rate, stem length, and tiller density. Net herbage accumulation rate was calculated using tissue turnover data. The grazing intervals for Tanzania grass should be around 38 days between October and April (spring and early autumn) and 28 days during the reproductive phase of the grass (April/May). Between May and September (late autumn and winter), grazing interval should be around 48 days. Herbage accumulation rate is not a good criterion to establish defoliation time for Tanzania grass. Studies on the effects of stem production in grazing efficiency, animal intake and forage quality are needed to improve Tanzania grass management.

Amostras simulando o pastejo de capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq.) irrigado sob três resíduos pós-pastejo (baixo, médio e alto) foram coletadas ao longo de um ano e analisadas para a determinação da composição protéica e dos carboidratos, e das frações protéicas e de carboidratos (CNCPS). O teor de NDT foi calculado. Não foi encontrada diferença entre os tratamentos ao longo do ano. Os maiores teores de fibra em detergente neutro - FDN (68,3 a 64,5%) e fibra em detergente ácido - FDA (34,89 a 33,18%) ocorreram no período de primavera/verão. A lignina apresentou maiores proporções no inverno (4,68 a 4,10%), o que provocou variação na fração C dos carboidratos (14,14 a 23,21% dos carboidratos totais). O NDT variou entre 55,26 e 59,31%. O teor de PB apresentou tendência de aumento ao longo do ano, variando de 11,29 a 14,61%. Os teores de nitrogênio não-protéico (NnP) variaram entre 18,23 e 28,77%PB, sendo menor para os pastejos de primavera/verão. O Nsol variou de 24,97 a 35,97 %PB. A fração de nitrogênio aderido à FDN (nFDN) foi, em média, de 49,11%PB. Para o nitrogênio aderido à FDA (nFDA), a variação foi de 6,48 e 11,94 %PB. A menor qualidade da planta foi entre julho a setembro, podendo estar relacionada à menor renovação de tecidos durante o período de inverno e ao acúmulo de perfilhos florescidos. A maior proporção do N encontra-se na parede celular (fração B3) e foi, em média, de 40%PB, indicando que essa fração deve ter prioridade de estudo no tocante à cinética de degradação ruminal.

The objective of this work was to determine the chemical composition of irrigated Tanzaniagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.). and to validate the Cornell system. Simulated-grazed samples were collected on three periods of the year (spring, summer and fall, totaling 10 grazing cycles) on irrigated paddocks, rotationally grazed to three post grazed stubbles (low, medium and high). Although there were no statistical differences imposed by the treatments during the year, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) showed higher values in the spring/summer, and lignin in the winter grazing cycles. Along the year the carbohydrate C fraction, TDN and CP varied from 14.14 to 23.21%, 55.26 to 59.31% and 11.29 to 14.61%, respectively. The Nsol, non protein nitrogen (NNP) and nitrogen on ADF (nADF) (as CP%) varied from 18.23 to 28.77%, 24.97 to 35.97% and 6.48% to 11.94%, respectively. The average nitrogen on NDF (nFDN) (as CP%) was 49.1%. From July to September forage quality was the lowest, probably due to the slowest tissue replenishment and flowering tillers accumulation. The N largest proportion (average of 40% of the CP fraction) was recovered in the cell wall, specifically in the B3 fraction, which should be the most important fraction on ruminal fermentation kinetics studies.