Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of three grazing frequencies (28, 38 and 48 days) on forage mass, dry matter (DM) accumulation rate and leaf:stem ratio in Tanzania and Mombaça, from September 1995 to May 1996 period. A split plot experimental design was used, with grazing frequency as main plots and period of the year as subplots. The forage mass per grazing was greater when the grazing frequency was small, however did not have an effect on the DM accumulation in the Tanzania and Mombaça cultivars. The rates of forage accumulation for the two cultivars were greater in January/February; so we should work with greater grazing frequency or stocking rate. The leaf:stem ratio of the two cultivars was small, mainly during the reproductive phase, indicating that we should work with greater grazing frequency (grazing at each 28 days or less) in order to control the stems development.
forage mass; leaf:stem ratio; dry matter accumulation rate
