Efeito da suplementação sobre a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e desempenho de bezerros lactentes mantidos em pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha

This study evaluated the effect of supplementation and the type of supplement on nutrient digestibility and performance of lactating calves fed with Brachiara brizantha cv. Marandu pasture from February to May. The treatments were: supplementation in creep-feeding with protein concentrate, with energy concentrate, with energy-protein concentrate and without concentrate. In a Latin square design, four Canchim calves were kept in individual pens, receiving marandu hay and controlled suckling twice a day. The performance was evaluated in a completely randomized design, with 23 calves kept with the cows. Higher intake and nutrients digestibility (65% of dry mater digestibility) and calf performance (live weight gain of 0.98 kg day-1) were obtained with energyprotein concentrate, and the cows kept weight and body reserves during the experiment. The protein concentrate did not show good results, and was lower than the performance of calves without supplementation - 0.56 and 0.77 kg day-1, respectively. The performance of calves without supplementation was similar to calves receiving energy concentrate, but the cows lost more body weight and energy reserves. The supplementation with energy-protein concentrate for lactating calves fed with Brachiara brizantha cv. Marandu during the beginning of the dry season was benefifical for the performance of calves and cows.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Brachiaria e avaliação da produtividade de massa seca em diferentes sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária sob irrigação

The speed and magnitude of tropical pastures expansion in Brazil are related to the availability of quality seeds. This research aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of two Brachiaria species submitted to germination and viability tests and also estimate, for both species, the fresh and dry mass yield, under different irrigated crop-livestock integration systems. For field analysis, the experimental design was a randomized complete block, in subplots, with four intercrops in the plot (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu and Brachiaria ruziziensis simultaneously established with corn and nitrogen fertilization coverage), and four forage cutting times, in the winter/spring season, in subplots, with four replications. In the laboratory, the experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications per treatment/test. The germination and viability tests indicated that B. brizantha seeds showed higher physiological quality, when compared with B. ruziziensis, while the tetrazolium test and germinated seedlings characteristics were similar. The B. ruziziensis, simultaneously intercropped with corn, was the less viable intercrop, due to the lower fresh and dry mass yield and litter deposition on the soil surface. In general, the pasture formation for the second season cultivation, intercropped with corn, was an excellent alternative for crop-livestock integration under a no-tillage system.

Determinação da massa seca, teor de nutrientes e cobertura do solo de espécies semeadas no outono-inverno

Culture options for the autumn-winter season are a major problem for production systems under low rainfall. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the sowing season on dry matter yield, nutrient content of the shoot and soil covering percentage of coverage plants on the soil on the intercrop: grain sorghum, rattlepods, pearl millet brachiaria grass and an area with weeds (fallow). The experiment was conducted under field conditions on an Oxisol (Haplustox), clay texture, in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design with eight replications, two sowing seasons and five coverage treatments. When the sorghum culture of the first sowing season reached the harvest stage, the dry matter yield on the other treatments was evaluated. Results showed that sowing in March results in higher dry mass yield and higher soil coverage percentage in the studied species. In the first sowing season, Brachiaria brizantha presents higher dry matter yield and macronutrients extraction.

Taxa de semeadura de Brachiaria brizantha consorciada com milho na incidência de plantas daninhas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Digestibilidade e Parâmetros Ruminais de Bovinos Consumindo Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Marandu

This experiment aimed to evaluate nutrient intake, total and partial digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber and ruminal parameters, ammonia concentration and volatile fatty acids, in beef cattle fed palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu) at two regrowth ages, 30 and 60 days, at two times of year (January and February). The intake of DM, OM and CP was influenced by forage age of regrowth with high values for 30 days; this was influenced by time of year, being observed in February the higher intake by animals. DM digestibility average was 60.7 and 59.4% for 30 and 60 days of forage regrowth, respectively, however, was observed effect of interaction between regrowth and time of year, the same comportment was observed for OM, averages were 63.9 and 63% for respective ages of regrowth. CP digestibility was higher for 30 days, 70.8%, than for 60 days of regrowth, 57%. The NDF and ADF digestibilities were influenced by the interaction between regrowth and time of year; their average for 60 days of regrowth in January were respectively 54.8 and 48.5%, being the lower values and, in February, the higher values: 64.9 and 60.4%. The ruminal average digestibility was 79.5, 86.2, 99.4 and 96.7% of the total degradable for DM, OM, NDF and ADF, respectively. Effects of regrowth and time of year there were not recorded. Two hours after the morning meal was observed the ammonia ruminal concentration peak. The acetate:propionate: butirate ruminal ratio observed was 74:18:8(%).

Indicadores na estimativa do fluxo de digesta em bovinos de corte

single and double marker methods were compared in seven Nellore steers with average body weight 250 kg, and previously canullated in the rumen and duodenum. The animals were fitted with continuous-infusion pump that administered CoEDTA solutions intraruminally. In addition, a capsule containing Cr 2O 3, and other, containing external n-alkanes C 32, C 36 were inserted into the rumen of each steer. Internal markers indigestible neutral-detergent fiber and acid-detergent fiber (iNDF and iADF after 144 h in situ incubation) and internal n-alkanes C 31, C 33, C 35 were components of the diet. Steers were fed with palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu) in two age of regrowth, 30 and 60 days. The duodenal flow experimental design was a factorial 2×2×12 while omasal experimental design was a factorial 2×2×4. Markers iNDF, CoEDTA and the combination Co+iNDF were efficacious to estimate duodenal dry matter flow whereas iNDF, iADF and the Co+iADF combination were all efficacious to predict omasal dry matter flow. In conclusion, the double marker method for estimation of omasal and duodenal dry matter flow was the most appropriate considering the ruminal fiber digestibility.

Crescimento, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas mestiças holandês x zebu, em pastejo, submetidas à suplementação protéica durante a época das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental protein during the rainy season on body growth, ingestive behavior and reproductive performance of crossbred Gir x Holstein dairy heifers, with mean age of 21 ± 4.1 months and average initial body weight of 296.7 ± 57.3 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates per treatment. Heifers remained on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, managed according to a rotational grazing system and, as treatment, it was supplemented with protein concentrate (34%, 43%, 56% and 66% BW) and level of supply of 0.30% body weight (BW). The animals were weighed and the mean weight of the lot was used for the calculation of adjustment of the amount of concentrate offered. Heifers that reached 330.0 kg of live weight were artificially inseminated and, 45 days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed for the calculation of pregnancy rate and age at conception. No significant difference of protein levels was observed on grazing, eating behavior, productive performance and age at conception of dairy heifers on pasture. The average daily weight gain of BW and age at conception were, on average, 0.907 kg/animal and 24.03 months, respectively.

The no-tillage system and cover crops-Alternatives to increase upland rice yields

Upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation has been increasing in importance in Asia while water availability for irrigation has been decreasing because of rapid growth in industry and urban centers. Therefore, the development of technologies that increase upland rice yields under aerobic conditions, thereby saving water, would be an effective strategy to avoid a decrease in global rice grain production. The use of the no-tillage system (NTS) and cover crops that maintain soil moisture would prove advantageous in the move toward sustainable agriculture. However, upland rice develops better in plowed soil, and it has been reported that this crop does not perform well under the NTS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cover crops on upland rice grain yield and yield components sowed in a NTS. A field experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010), and treatments consisted of growing rice under five cover crops in a NTS and two control treatments under the conventional tillage system (plowing once and disking twice). Treatments were carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. Our findings are as follows: On average, Brachiaria brizantha (12.32Mgha-1), Brachiaria ruziziensis (11.08Mgha-1) and Panicum maximum (11.62Mgha-1) had outstanding biomass production; however, these grasses provided the worst upland rice yields (2.30, 2.04, and 2.67Mgha-1, respectively) and are not recommended as cover crops before upland rice. Millet and fallow exhibited the fastest straw degradation (half-lives of 52 and 54 days, respectively), and millet exhibited the fastest nitrogen release (N half-life of 28 days). The use of a NTS was promising when millet was used as a cover crop; this allowed the highest upland rice yield (3.94Mgha-1) and did not statistically differ from plowed fallow (3.52Mgha-1). © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Short communication: Acute but transient increase in serum insulin reduces messenger RNA expression of hepatic enzymes associated with progesterone catabolism in dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of glucose infusion on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and progesterone (P4), as well as mRNA expression of hepatic CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in nonlactating, ovariectomized cows in adequate nutritional status. Eight Gir × Holstein cows were maintained on a low-quality Brachiaria brizantha pasture with reduced forage availability, but they individually received, on average, 3. kg/cow daily (as fed) of a corn-based concentrate from d -28 to 0 of the experiment. All cows had an intravaginal P4-releasing device inserted on d -14, which remained in cows until the end of the experiment (d 1). On d 0, cows were randomly assigned to receive, in a crossover design containing 2 periods of 24. h each (d 0 and 1), (1) an intravenous glucose infusion (GLUC; 0.5. g of glucose/kg of BW, over a 3-h period) or (2) an intravenous saline infusion (SAL; 0.9%, over a 3-h period). Cows were fasted for 12. h before infusions, and they remained fasted during infusion and sample collections. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 6. h relative to the beginning of infusions. Liver biopsies were performed concurrently with blood collections at 0 and 3. h. After the last blood collection of period 1, cows received concentrate and returned to pasture. Cows gained BW (16.5 ± 3.6. kg) and BCS (0.08 ± 0.06) from d -28 to 0. Cows receiving GLUC had greater serum glucose and insulin concentrations at 3. h compared with SAL cohorts. No treatment effects were detected for serum P4 concentrations, although mRNA expression of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 after the infusion period was reduced for cows in the GLUC treatment compared with their cohorts in the SAL treatment. In conclusion, hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 mRNA expression can be promptly modulated by glucose infusion followed by acute increases in circulating insulin, which provides novel insight into the physiological mechanisms associating nutrition and reproductive function in dairy cows. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Intercropping time of corn and palisadegrass or guineagrass affecting grain yield and forage production

Intercropping corn (Zea mays L.) with forages, such as palisadegrass {Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. rich.) r. D. Webster [syn. Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. rich.) Stapf]} or guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S. W. L. Jacobs (syn. Panicum maximum Jacq.)], provides large amounts of biomass for use as straw in no-tillage systems or as pasture. However, it is important to evaluate what time these forages have to be sown into corn systems to avoid reductions in both corn and forage production. This study, conducted for three growing seasons at Botucatu, Brazil, evaluated nutrient concentration and yield of corn as affected by time of forage intercropped as well as forage's dry matter production. our data showed that intercropping systems did not reduce leaf nutrient concentrations and grain yield of corn in relation to sole corn. The simultaneous intercropping of corn and guineagrass resulted in the lowest plant population (51, 200 plant ha-1), number of ears per plant (1.0), and, consequently, the lowest corn grain yield (9801 kg ha-1). Guineagrass seeded at the time of corn fertilizer topdressing resulted in the highest plant population (59, 400 plants ha-1), number of ears per plant (1.2), and corn grain yield (12, 077 kg ha-1). Forage production was highest when intercrop was done simultaneously. palisadegrass could be intercropped with corn both simultaneously or at topdressing fertilization stage. In contrast, it is recommended that guineagrass should only be intercropped with corn at topdressingfertilization. © Crop Science Society of America.

Densidade populacional de pratylenchus spp. em pastagens de brachiaria spp. e sua influência na disponibilidade e na qualidade da forragem

The aim of this work was to evaluate the population density of Pratylenchus brachyurus and Pratylenchus zeae associated with Brachiaria brizantha, B. decumbens and B. humidicola and their influence on forage availability and quality. The experiment was conducte in the Hisaeda Farm, Terenos, MS, Brazil. Soil, roots and plant aerial part were harvest with ten replications each, in one square meter randomized sets encompassing three treatments: Good, Intermediary and Bad, visually characterized, considering the percentage of green material. P. brachyurus and P. zeae density were evaluated in soil and plant roots. Dry matter of green, dead and re-growth materials, plant nutritional status and forage quality were assessed in the aerial plant part. Soil fertility was determined in all harvested samples. Both nematode species were identified from all samples, with a larger numbe in the roots (between 87-311 P. brachyurus and 1-61 P. zeae.10 g-1) than in the soil (0-8 P. brachyurus and 1-39 P. zeae.200 cm-3), however, no significant differences were found in the number of specimens between treatments. Considering that these forage species are perennial and host Pratylenchus spp, there is a tendency to increase the population of these pathogens over time, becoming a serious phytosanitary problem.

Phosphorus and potassium balance in a corn-soybean rotation under no-till and chiseling

Nutrient use efficiency has become an important issue in agriculture, and crop rotations with deep vigorous rooted cover crops under no till may be an important tool in increasing nutrient conservation in agricultural systems. Ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) has a vigorous, deep root system and may be effective in cycling P and K. The balance of P and K in cropping systems with crop rotations using ruzigrass, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and ruzigrass + castor bean (Ricinus communis), chiseled or not, was calculated down to 0.60 m in the soil profile for 2 years. The cash crops were corn in the first year and soybean in the second year. Crop rotations under no-till increased available P amounts in the soil-plant system from 80 to 100 %, and reduced K losses between 4 and 23 %. The benefits in nutrient balance promoted by crop rotations were higher in the second year and under without chiseling. Plant residues deposited on the soil surface in no-till systems contain considerable nutrient reserve and increase fertilizer use efficiency. However, P release from ruzigrass grown as a sole crop is not synchronized with soybean uptake rate, which may result in decreased yields. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Sustainable weed management on ornamental beds

The weed presence on ornamental beds is a main aspect that interferes with the garden maintenance, especially in tropical countries, as it causes an unpleasant effect and competes with the ornamentals. The use of herbicides is not always economically viable, besides, it causes phytotoxic effects on the ornamental plants, so the alternative to minimize this problem is the use of mulch; however, there is little information on the literature about it. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of rice straw mulching on the weed management of Salvia splendens beds. There were four treatments (0, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1 of rice straw) and five replications. Brachiaria decumbens (200 plants m-2) and Amaranthus viridis (50 plants m-2) were sown in each plot in order to ensure the weed presence. The evaluation of the weed community was performed 60 days after sowing. The weeds on the plots of 0.48 m2 were identified and removed by hand and then dried in a chamber of forced air ventilation (under 703C) for the dry matter determination which later helped to calculate the phytosociological indexes like the Relative Density, Relative Frequency, Relative Dominance and the Importance Value Index. Nineteen species of weeds were identified. Among them, B. decumbens and A. viridis presented the highest Relative Importance level and the use of 8 t ha-1 of rice straw mulching helped to minimize the Relative Importance of these plants; however, the weed management with the use of rice straw was not effective.

Produção e teores de nutrientes no capim braquiária adubado com nitrogênio e enxofre

Among the production factors, adequate fertilization is an important tool to raise the productivity of pastoral systems and consequently increase the share of Brazil in the supply chain of primary agricultural products at the global level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization in Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. The experiment in pots with Dystrophic Oxisol was evaluated in a completely randomized design with four replications in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, involving five N doses (0, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg dm-3) in the form of ammonium nitrate and three S doses (0, 20 and 80 mg dm-3) in the form of calcium sulfate, with a total of 15 treatments. In the treatments with low S dose, calcium was provided as calcium chloride, to ensure a homogeneous Ca supply in all treatments. The results showed that the tiller production and dry weight of green leaves and of stems + sheaths and total dry weight were favored by the combination of N and S fertilizer, while the proportion of dry leaves was reduced. Nitrogen fertilization raised the N contents in green leaves and stems + sheaths and reduced K contents in fresh and dry leaves. The response to S rates in the N content of green leaves was quadratic.

Características morfogênicas e estruturais do capim-xaraés submetido a intesidades de pastejo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of residual leaf area index (rLAI), years of evaluation and grazing cycles on the morphogenetic and structural characteristics of xaraés palisadegrass subjected to grazing intensities in two summers (years of evaluation). The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brasil and the intensities of grazing were defined by four rLAI: 0.8, 1.3, 1.8 and 2.3. When the canopy intercepted 95% of incident light, the animals were placed on the pasture for grazing and kept until the rLAI target has been reached. Pastures were grazed by non-lactating Holstein cows (Bos Taurus Taurus L.), using the technique of mob-stocking. The morphogenetic and structural characteristics of xaraés palisadegrass respond effectively to weather conditions. There is variability in morphogenetic and structural characteristics in response to years and grazing cycles within years.