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- Title
Bahiagrass Cultivar Response to Grazing Frequency with Limited Nitrogen Fertilization.
- Authors
Vendramini, Joao M. B.; Sollenberger, Lynn E.; Blount, Ann R.; Aguiar, Andre D.; Galzerano, Leandro; Valente, Andre L. S.; Custodio, Leticia; Alves, Eveline
- Abstract
Warm-season grasses require N fertilization to achieve their full production potential; however, increased costs have limited the use of N by beef cattle (Bos spp.) producers. The objective of this study was to test the effects of two grazing frequencies (2 and 4 wk) on production, nutritive value, and persistence of 'Argentine' (tetraploid), 'Pensacola', 'Tift on 9', and 'UF Riata' (diploids) bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) cultivars fertilized with 60 kg N ha-1 yr-1. The study was conducted in Ona, FL, from January 2010 to December 2011. Treatments were eight factorial combinations of two grazing frequencies (2 and 4 wk) and four bahiagrass cultivars. The four cultivars were grazed by beef cows (505±30 kg) for approximately 8 h to a 7.5-cm stubble height at 2- or 4-wk intervals. Diploid cultivars had greater herbage accumulation (HA) in the spring; however, Argentine had greater annual HA in 2010 and 2011. Plots grazed at 4 wk had approximately 50% greater HA than 2-wk grazing frequency. Argentine and Pensacola had greater root and rhizome mass than Tift on 9 and UF Riata when grazed every 2 wk, while Argentine had greater cover than any of the diploids when grazed at the 2-wk frequency. Results show that Argentine is a productive and persistent bahiagrass for beef cattle producers using limited N fertilization and frequent grazing in Florida. Decreasing grazing frequency is an effective management practice to increase bahiagrass HA and persistence, particular the upright-growing Tift on 9 and UF Riata.
- Subjects
GRASS research; BEEF cattle; GRAZING; BAHIA grass; AGRICULTURE
- Publication
Agronomy Journal, 2013, Vol 105, Issue 4, p938
- ISSN
0002-1962
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2134/agronj2012.0404