Elephant grass (pennisetum purpureum schum.) has been grown only in cut-and-carry systems for a long time. However, interest in its grazing management has been increasing because of the selection of short-sized genotypes, which have gained new relevance since 1988 with the registration of ‘mott’ grass. in this sense, tall and short-sized genotypes present important differences in morphology, quality and productivity; although, environmental factors also exert influence on these aspects. This review aimed to approach how the elephant grass size can influence the morphophysiological characteristics, management decisions, and exploitation of this species. the morphophysiological aspects and the elephant grass sizes are important to direct their utilization in the different production systems. The research results from previous decades suggest that the particularities of the tall-sized genotypes, such as great forage accumulation, high organic reserves content, and stem elongation, favor their management in cut-and-carry systems and industrial sectors. Conversely, the short-sized elephant grass genotypes present aspects as higher leaf proportion in the harvested forage, leaf/stem ratio, and tillering. these factors facilitate their exploitation in grazing systems.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and canopy structure of elephant grass varieties (Cenchrus purpureus Schum.) of contrasting statures, under monocropping or intercropped with butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) in cut-and-carry systems. Two tall varieties (elephant B and IRI-381), and two dwarf ones (Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.37), were evaluated as monocrops or binary intercrops with the legume in a 2-year trial with eight harvests. Greater annual leaf biomass accumulation was observed in the monocrops of the tall variety elephant B (7.76 t/ha per year) and dwarf Mott (8.08 t/ha per year). Greater herbage bulk density (59 kg/ha per cm) and leaf area index (3.83) were recorded in canopies of dwarf Mott than in those composed of IRI-381 (37 kg/ha per cm and 3.48, respectively). In the first year, dwarf varieties Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.37 showed less RUE (0.89 and 0.84 g dry matter (DM)/MJ, respectively) than the elephant B (1.46 g DM/MJ). Higher non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) contents were found in dwarf Mott under monocrop (180 g/kg) and in the intercrop systems. Tall varieties elephant B and IRI-381 showed greater efficiency in intercepting the radiation to accumulate herbage via stem accumulation. Dwarf Mott variety exhibited short stems and great leaf biomass accumulation that favoured denser canopies with higher content of NFCs in vegetal tissue. Planting butterfly pea into rows of elephant grass varieties can be adopted with no significant losses in RUE caused by light extinction, regardless of the grass stature.

A análise dos alimentos constitui um dos principais fatores observados na nutrição animal. A forma mais eficiente de identificação do teor de nutrientes dos alimentos, é através da composição química e valor nutritivo. Na quantificação analítica do valor nutritivo dos alimentos, os principais parâmetros utilizados são: matéria seca (MS), métodos de secagem em estufa, forno de micro-ondas e destilação com tolueno (silagens); matéria mineral (MM), método da incineração em altas temperaturas em mufla; proteína bruta (PB) ou nitrogênio total (N), método Dumas, Linder, Nessler, e Kjeldahl (padrão);  fibra detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra detergente ácido (FDA), método Van Soest, com adaptações de equipamentos; lignina, método hidrólise ácida (padrão), com permanganato de potássio, Klason, e lignina solúvel em brometo de acetila; e digestibilidade, métodos in vivo, in situ, in vitro, e marcadores de digestibilidade. No entanto, estes podem ser onerosos, caros e demandar bastante tempo. Como método alternativo e indireto, tem-se a espectrometria de reflectância no infravermelho próximo (NIRS), que possui vantagens com custos, rapidez, usa um pequeno número de amostras e amostragem não destrutiva, é multiparamétrico, e não poluente. Considerando as diversas variáveis que podem ser utilizadas para determinação do valor nutritivo dos alimentos para ruminantes e a gama dos métodos analíticos disponíveis na literatura, cabe ao observador adotar aquele que melhor convém ao objetivo proposto, levando em consideração o tipo de alimento, custo, disponibilidade de reagentes, materiais, equipamentos, e animais à disposição. A metodologia adotada foi um estudo descritivo, resultando em uma revisão bibliográfica embasada em artigos científicos mundiais.