Canopy height impact on legume mass and Megathyrsus maximus tiller dynamics in mixed pastures

Abstract

The use of grazing management strategies can influence canopy structure and the permanence of legumes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the determination of forage canopy heights as a grazing management strategy regarding herbage mass composition and tiller population dynamics in multispecies pastures comprising Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana and the legumes Macrotyloma axillare, Calopogonium mucunoides and Stylosanthes spp. Four treatments, defined by canopy heights of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, were evaluated in a randomised block design with four replications. The evaluations were performed under continuous stocking with sheep. Taller pastures (45 and 60 cm) contained greater (P < 0.05) total herbage mass of Aruana leaves and stems and also higher mass of legumes than smaller pastures (15 and 30 cm). The grass tiller population density was different between heights (P < 0.05) of 2.71, 2.02, 1.97 and 1.47 tillers/m2 for heights of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm, respectively. The tiller appearance rate was highest in tall pastures (P < 0.05) and the lowest rate and stability index were found in 15 cm pastures. Aruana guineagrass and forage legumes can be managed in the height range of 30–60 cm under continuous stocking.