Harvest Frequency and Stubble Height Affect Herbage Accumulation, Nutritive Value, and Persistence of ‘Mulato II’ Brachiariagrass

Abstract

‘Mulato II’ (Brachiaria sp.) is a warm‐season forage hybrid with superior nutritive value introduced in Florida in 2003. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of harvest frequencies and stubble heights on herbage accumulation (HA), nutritive value, and persistence of Mulato II brachiariagrass. The research was conducted in Ona, FL (27°N) from August to October 2007 and 2008. Treatments were the factorial combination of 2‐ and 4‐week harvest frequencies and 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐inch stubble heights with four replicates in a randomized complete block design. Plot size was 9.8 × 6.5 ft with 3.0 ft between plots. There was a quadratic decrease in HA from 1,800 to 1,400 lb/acre with increasing stubble heights. Conversely, herbage crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) increased linearly with decreasing stubble heights (from 17% to 14% and from 67% to 66% for CP and IVDOM, respectively). There were significant season effects on responses as HA decreased and nutritive value increased from September to November for both harvest frequencies. Mulato II ground cover linearly increased from 74% to 87% as stubble height increased from 1 to 5 inches. Despite greater HA and nutritive value, short stubble heights in combination with 2‐week harvest interval decreased the persistence of Mulato II and should be avoided.

Harvest Stubble Height and K Fertilization Affect Performance of Jiggs and ‘Tifton 85’ Bermudagrasses

“…Herbage accumulation increased linearly (P < 0.01) from 7040 to 8120 kg ha −1 yr −1 with increasing K fertilization (Fig. Similarly, Inyang et al (2010a) found a quadratic increase in HA of the tropical grass species 'Mulato II' brachiariagrass (Brachiaria spp.) Herbage accumulation control, and the authors concluded that continual removal of forage mass without adequate K fertilization management has long-term negative effects on forage production.…”

“…Although short stubble height (SH) often maximizes harvested herbage (Inyang et al, 2010a;Liu et al, 2011), repeated removal of biomass at low cutting heights may reduce plant stand and increase weed encroachment (Mislevy and Everett, 1981). Although short stubble height (SH) often maximizes harvested herbage (Inyang et al, 2010a;Liu et al, 2011), repeated removal of biomass at low cutting heights may reduce plant stand and increase weed encroachment (Mislevy and Everett, 1981).…”

Stocking Rate Effects on ‘Jiggs’ Bermudagrass Pastures Grazed by Heifers Receiving Supplementation

“…They observed that there was a linear decrease in HM and average daily gain (ADG) with increasing stocking rates. Inyang et al (2010b) observed that ground cover of Mulato II plots declined from 87 to 74% as the harvest stubble height decreased from 12.5 to 2.5 cm. Inyang et al (2010a) reported a linear decrease in HM and a quadratic increase in herbage accumulation rate (HAR) on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) and Mulato II (Brachiaria spp.)…”

Carbon assimilation, herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and grazing efficiency of Mulato II brachiariagrass under continuous stocking

“…Under continuous stocking, maintaining an optimal canopy height has been reported to improve pasture production and persistence, as well as animal productivity. Carloto et al (2011) (INYANG et al, 2010b). Ground cover of Mulato II brachiariagrass decreased linearly from 89 to 78% as clipping stubble height decreased from 12.7 to 2.5 cm (INYANG et al, 2010a).…”