Nitrogen efficiency in marandupalisadegrass pastures under increasing nitrogen levels / Eficiência do nitrogênio em pastagens de capim-marandu adubadas com doses crescentes de nitrogênio

The use of nitrogen (N) in pastoral ecosystems leads to increased productivity, as it allows the plant to elongate its leaves and, therefore, grazing herbivores harvest the green leaves. However, there are very volatile N sources, which can be replaced by ammonium nitrate, which is less volatile and less dependent on the application in rainy days. The treatments are compound of Marandu palisade grass pastures managed under continuous stocking at a canopy height of 25 cm, with different levels of N fertilizer: 0, 75, and 150 kg ha-1year-1, as ammonium nitrate (32% of N), with four replicates (pastures) in a completely randomized design. Nitrogen uptake (54.9, 96.5, 113.8 kg N ha-1) and N nutrition index (0.67, 0.98, 1.15) were different between N level, respectively, 0, 75 and 150 kg ha-1 year-1. The N recovery (58.3, 40.9 %) differed between 75 and 150 kg ha-1 year-1, respectively. The dose of 75 kg N kg ha-1 year-1 results in better N utilization, while the dose of 150 kg N ha-1 year-1 enables greater stocking rate; therefore, requiring less grazing area.

O uso de nitrogênio (N) em ecossistemas pastoris leva ao aumento da produtividade, pois permite que a planta alongue suas folhas e, portanto, os herbívoros colham as folhas verdes. Porém, existem fontes de nitrogênio muito voláteis, que devem ser substituídas por nitrato de amônio, que é menos volátil e menos dependente da aplicação em dias chuvosos. Os tratamentos foram compostos por pastagens de capim-marandu, manejadas sob lotação contínua, na altura do dossel a 25 cm, com diferentes doses de N: 0, 75 e 150 kg ha-1 ano-1, na forma de nitrato de amônio (32% de N), com quatro repetições (piquetes), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. A absorção de nitrogênio (54,9; 96,5; 113,8 kg N ha-1) e o índice nutricional de N (0,67; 0,98; 1,15) foram diferentes entre as doses de N, respectivamente, 0, 75 e 150 kg ha-1 ano-1. A recuperação de N (58,3; 40,9%) diferiu entre 75 e 150 kg ha-1 ano-1, respectivamente. A dose de 75 kg N kg ha-1 ano-1 resultou em melhor aproveitamento do N, enquanto a dose de 150 kg N ha-1 ano-1 possibilita maior taxa de lotação; portanto, exigindo menos área de pastagem.

N-fertilization of tropical pastures improves performance but not methane emission of Nellore growing bulls.

Grazing management and N-fertilizer have been reported to improve tropical forage productivity and quality, however, their effect on methane emission of grazing animals remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of increasing application rates of nitrogen (N) fertilization of Marandu palisadegrass under continuous stocking on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, and enteric methane emissions of Nellore growing bulls. We hypothesized that changes in the forage nutritive value caused by N fertilization of pastures combined with adequate grazing management (e.g., greater crude protein [CP] and digestibility) would lead to an increase in animal productivity (e.g., greater average daily gain [ADG] and gain per area), and then, to a decrease in methane emission intensity. Treatments consisted of different annual application rates of nitrogen fertilization: 0, 75, and 150 kg N/ha using ammonium nitrate (32% N) as the nitrogen source. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three treatments and four replications (12 paddocks). Intake, digestibility, N balance, and methane emissions were measured in eight animals per treatment. CP intake, digestibility and N balance increased linearly with the increase in N fertilization (P < 0.05). In addition, stocking rate (SR) and ADG linearly increased from 1.75 animal unit (AU = 450 kg)/ha and 0.62 kg/d (0 kg N/ha) to 3.75 AU/ha and 0.82 kg/d (150 kg N/ha), respectively. Individual methane emissions nor methane emission intensity were affected by treatment with an average of 164.7 g/d and 199.7 g/kg ADG (P > 0.05). Annual N fertilization with ammonium nitrate between 75 and 150 kg N/ha in palisadegrass pastures under continuous stocking enhances animal performance per unit area yet not affecting neither methane production nor intensity.

The availability of nitrogen in the soil is one of the main factors that can affect plant growth and characteristics. Nitrogen fertilization is a tool to increase the efficiency in the productive responses of grazing beef cattle, reconciling the greater production per area, reduction of the production cycle, maximization of the use of nutrients, with the maintenance of the system sustainability by enhancing animal production indexes. The present study evaluated performance and methane production of Nellore growing bulls grazing continuously stocked Marandu palisadegrass fertilized with three rates of ammonium nitrate (0, 75, and 150 kg N/ha). Although nitrogen fertilization did not affect individual methane production, both stocking rate and average daily gain linearly increased as fertilization rate increased, thus increasing the beef productivity.

Pasture management and greenhouse gases emissions

Pastures are important environments worldwide because they offer many ecosystem services and sustain meat and milk production. However, pastures ecosystems are responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The major GHGs include CO2, CH4, and N2O. The present review summarizes GHG emission from pasture ecosystems and discusses strategies to mitigate this problem. In pastures, emissions originate from animal excretion, fertilization, and organic matter decomposition. Emissions of specific gases can be measured based on certain factors that were recently updated by the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2019. Urine is the main source of N2O emission. Forage structure is an important factor driving GHG transport. Forage fiber content and animal intake are the key drivers of enteric CH4 emission, and the introduction of forage legumes in pasture systems is one of the most promising strategy to mitigate GHG emission.

Canopy structure and morphogenesis of Italian ryegrass intercropped with red clover under cutting intervals determined by thermal sum / Estrutura do dossel e morfogênese do azevém anual consorciado com trevo vermelho em intervalos de corte determinados por soma térmica

The canopy structure and morphogenesis of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was investigated after it was over seeded with Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) and intercropped with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Time intervals between cuts were determined by different thermal sums (125, 250, 375, and 500 degree-days [DD]). Cuts were conducted at a height equivalent to 50% of the average canopy height. Morphogenic and structural data were collected from July to October of 2016 and 2017, from a completely randomized block experimental design. Canopy height, extended tiller height, pseudostem length, and forage mass were fitted to linear equations according to the thermal sums. Interaction of ryegrass with red clover was the highest (12.1%) for longer cut intervals (375 and 500 DD). The leaf appearance rate (0.0080 leaf/DD), phyllochron value (128.8 DD), and senescence rate (0.10 cm/DD) of ryegrass were comparable between the different intervals. The slowest elongation rate (0.06 cm/DD) with the shortest interval duration between cuts (171.6 DD) was observed in the 125 DD interval. According to the findings from this 2-year experiment, the use of a 250 DD cut interval was recommended between grazing events, taking into account the efficiency of forage use, ryegrass leaf, stem ratio, and interactions with red clover in the canopy under rotational stocking.(AU)

A estrutura do dossel e a morfogênese do azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) foram investigadas após a sobressemeadura em Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) e consorciado com trevo vermelho (Trifolium pratense L.). Os intervalos de tempo entre os cortes foram determinados por diferentes somas térmicas (125, 250, 375 e 500 graus-dia [GD]). Os cortes foram realizados a uma altura equivalente a 50% da altura média do dossel. Os dados morfogênicos e estruturais foram coletados no período de julho a outubro de 2016 e 2017, em um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso. A altura do dossel, a altura estendida do perfilho, o comprimento do pseudocolmo e a massa de forragem se ajustaram a equações lineares de acordo com a soma térmica. A consorciação de azevém e trevo vermelho foi maior (12,1%) para intervalos de corte mais longos (375 e 500 GD). A taxa de aparecimento foliar (0,0080 folha/GD), filocrono (128,8 GD) e a taxa de senescência (0,10 cm /GD) do azevém não foram diferentes entre os intervalos de corte. A menor taxa de elongação (0,06 cm/GD) e duração de elongação (171,6 GD) foi observada no menor intervalo entre cortes, 125 GD. De acordo com os achados deste experimento de dois anos, recomenda-se o uso de um intervalo de corte de 250 GD entre os eventos de pastejo, levando em consideração a eficiência do uso de forragem, proporção de folhas e colmo de azevém e trevo vermelho no dossel, sob lotação rotativa.(AU)

Performance and feed intake of beef heifers on rotational grazing of natural grassland receiving protein and energy supplement in cool season / Desempenho de bezerras de corte em pastoreio rotativo em pastagem natural recebendo suplemento proteico-energético

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and feed intake of grazing beef heifers on two grazing intervals determined by thermal sum related to leaf elongation duration during cool season on natural grasslands. A complete randomized block design experiment with two treatments and three replications was conducted from May to September 2011 in the central part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments were two thermal sums calculated at 375 and 750 degrees-days (DD) to determine the intervals between grazing periods in a rotational grazing system. Thirty six beef heifers with average age of 18 months old and (initial body weight = 220±14kg) were used, all heifers received ground corn supplement at a rate of 5g kg-1 of body weight per day, at 2p.m., throughout the experiment and had free access to mineral and protein supplementation (450g kg-1 of CP). Similar average daily gain (ADG), beef production gain (BPG) and feed intake (FI), were obtained in both treatments. Leaf elongation duration is an alternative grazing management tool for improved animal production and to increase animal stocking rate.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho e consumo de matéria seca de bezerras manejadas em pastoreio rotativo, com intervalos de pastoreio definidos por duas somas térmicas relacionadas à duração de elongação foliar de dois grupos funcionais de gramíneas durante a estação fria em pastagem natural. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completamente casualizados, com dois tratamentos e três repetições de área na região central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram duas somas térmicas: 375 e 750 graus-dias (GD), que determinaram os intervalos entre os pastoreios. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis bezerras de corte com idade média de 18 meses e peso corporal médio de 220±14kg. Durante todo o experimento, as bezerras receberam como suplemento grão de milho moído a uma taxa de 0,5% do peso corporal por dia, às 14:00 horas e tiveram livre acesso à suplementação proteínada (45% PB). Não houve diferença para o ganho médio diário, ganho de peso por área e consumo de matéria seca entre os tratamentos. A soma térmica como intervalo de descanso entre os pastoreios mostrou-se uma alternativa de manejo para aumentar a taxa de lotação.(AU)

Performance and feed intake of beef heifers on rotational grazing of natural grassland receiving protein and energy supplement in cool season / Desempenho de bezerras de corte em pastoreio rotativo em pastagem natural recebendo suplemento proteico-energético

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and feed intake of grazing beef heifers on two grazing intervals determined by thermal sum related to leaf elongation duration during cool season on natural grasslands. A complete randomized block design experiment with two treatments and three replications was conducted from May to September 2011 in the central part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments were two thermal sums calculated at 375 and 750 degrees-days (DD) to determine the intervals between grazing periods in a rotational grazing system. Thirty six beef heifers with average age of 18 months old and (initial body weight = 220±14kg) were used, all heifers received ground corn supplement at a rate of 5g kg-1 of body weight per day, at 2p.m., throughout the experiment and had free access to mineral and protein supplementation (450g kg-1 of CP). Similar average daily gain (ADG), beef production gain (BPG) and feed intake (FI), were obtained in both treatments. Leaf elongation duration is an alternative grazing management tool for improved animal production and to increase animal stocking rate.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho e consumo de matéria seca de bezerras manejadas em pastoreio rotativo, com intervalos de pastoreio definidos por duas somas térmicas relacionadas à duração de elongação foliar de dois grupos funcionais de gramíneas durante a estação fria em pastagem natural. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completamente casualizados, com dois tratamentos e três repetições de área na região central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram duas somas térmicas: 375 e 750 graus-dias (GD), que determinaram os intervalos entre os pastoreios. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis bezerras de corte com idade média de 18 meses e peso corporal médio de 220±14kg. Durante todo o experimento, as bezerras receberam como suplemento grão de milho moído a uma taxa de 0,5% do peso corporal por dia, às 14:00 horas e tiveram livre acesso à suplementação proteínada (45% PB). Não houve diferença para o ganho médio diário, ganho de peso por área e consumo de matéria seca entre os tratamentos. A soma térmica como intervalo de descanso entre os pastoreios mostrou-se uma alternativa de manejo para aumentar a taxa de lotação.

Performance and feed intake of beef heifers on rotational grazing of natural grassland receiving protein and energy supplement in cool season / Desempenho de bezerras de corte em pastoreio rotativo em pastagem natural recebendo suplemento proteico-energético

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and feed intake of grazing beef heifers on two grazing intervals determined by thermal sum related to leaf elongation duration during cool season on natural grasslands. A complete randomized block design experiment with two treatments and three replications was conducted from May to September 2011 in the central part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments were two thermal sums calculated at 375 and 750 degrees-days (DD) to determine the intervals between grazing periods in a rotational grazing system. Thirty six beef heifers with average age of 18 months old and (initial body weight = 220±14kg) were used, all heifers received ground corn supplement at a rate of 5g kg-1 of body weight per day, at 2p.m., throughout the experiment and had free access to mineral and protein supplementation (450g kg-1 of CP). Similar average daily gain (ADG), beef production gain (BPG) and feed intake (FI), were obtained in both treatments. Leaf elongation duration is an alternative grazing management tool for improved animal production and to increase animal stocking rate.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho e consumo de matéria seca de bezerras manejadas em pastoreio rotativo, com intervalos de pastoreio definidos por duas somas térmicas relacionadas à duração de elongação foliar de dois grupos funcionais de gramíneas durante a estação fria em pastagem natural. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completamente casualizados, com dois tratamentos e três repetições de área na região central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram duas somas térmicas: 375 e 750 graus-dias (GD), que determinaram os intervalos entre os pastoreios. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis bezerras de corte com idade média de 18 meses e peso corporal médio de 220±14kg. Durante todo o experimento, as bezerras receberam como suplemento grão de milho moído a uma taxa de 0,5% do peso corporal por dia, às 14:00 horas e tiveram livre acesso à suplementação proteínada (45% PB). Não houve diferença para o ganho médio diário, ganho de peso por área e consumo de matéria seca entre os tratamentos. A soma térmica como intervalo de descanso entre os pastoreios mostrou-se uma alternativa de manejo para aumentar a taxa de lotação.