Signal Grass Deferred Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Intercropped with Calopo

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the accumulation, structural characteristics, and chemical composition of deferred signal-grass pastures that were subjected to four treatments: without nitrogen fertilization, intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides), and fertilized with urea N (50 kg ha−1 and 100 kg ha−1) for 2 years. The design was in randomized blocks, with two blocks and two repetitions of each treatment per block. There were effects of the interaction between treatment and year on green dry mass, forage accumulation, density of vegetative tillers, and crude protein content (simulated grazing). The effects of the treatments on the height, falling index, green dry mass/dead dry mass ratio, number of dead, live and total tillers, and crude protein content (direct cutting) were also observed. Signal-grass–calopo-intercropping ensured adequate mass and forage accumulation and crude protein content equivalent to those of fertilized pastures. In addition, the intercropped pasture showed a higher percentage of leaves and a higher crude protein content compared with those for the other treatments (simulated grazing). The green dry mass/dead dry mass ratio was highest in the intercropped pasture and was equivalent to only that of the pasture fertilized with a low dose of nitrogen. Therefore, signal-grass–calopo-intercropping may be recommended for deferment.

Morphogenic, structural, and chemical characteristics of Brachiaria grass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf.) pastures in monoculture and intercropped with forage peanut under two grazing intensities

“…The CP (Figure 2) and NDFcp (Table 4) contents of Brachiaria grass sampled by cutting were close than those contents obtained for Brachiaria grass intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.) and under grazing in a tropical region (Chaves et al, 2021). No results were found for Brachiaria grass intercropping with forage peanut.…”

Strategic Ensilage of Signal Grass Pastures in Two Seasons in a Tropical Region

“…Soil correction with limestone and fertilization was performed as described by Chaves et al [10]. Calopo was sown (4.8 kg ha −1 of pure live seeds) in the intercropping paddocks in December 2017.…”

Intercropping Systems for Sustainable Agriculture

“…This Special Issue contains five papers originating from five different continents (Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia), and covering (i) the grain yield stability of various barley-pea and wheat-faba bean mixtures grown in seven experimental field trials (locations) across Europe [1]; (ii) the evaluation of three cover crop treatments on cover crop biomass, soil cover, plant density, and soybean yield in the northwestern Corn Belt in the USA [2]; (iii) the performance of signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) pastures intercropped with a legume (calopo, Calopogonium mucunoides) in Brazil [3]; (iv) the impact of intercropping maize with potato on yield, water use, energy output, and net economic return on the Loess Plateau in China [4]; and (v) a review of the main existing metrics used in the scientific literature to assess intercropping systems at large scale and in an Australian perspective [5].…”

“…For many years, agronomists have been attracted by the idea to increase sustainability in agriculture through combining a nitrogen-fixing legume crop with a crop that demands high nitrogen resources to produce high yields, i.e., the nitrogen-fixation of the legume could (partly) replace nitrogen fertilization. A specific example for this idea is the study by Chaves et al [3], which addresses the performance of deferred signal-grass (Urochloa decumbens) pastures in Brazil in response to four treatments including three nitrogen fertilization treatments (zero, low and high fertilization), and intercropping with the legume calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides). Deferment, or deferred grazing, is a management tool to maintain pasture quality on pastoral farms and implies the postponing or delaying of grazing to increase pasture performance in terms of forage mass, chemical composition, and structural characteristics affecting animal production.…”