The experiment was carried out to study structural and morphologic characteristics of five Pennisetum sp. genotypes (CE 08 A.D., Venezuela, HV-241, Elephant B and Hexaplóide) under grazing during the dry period in Pernambuco Forest Zone. Genotypes were managed under rotational stocking (44 days of resting and four days of grazing period). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a split plot arrangement, and four replications. The genotypes represented the plots, and grazing cycles, the subplots. There was variation in the structural and morphologic characteristics of the Pennisetum sp. genotypes. The CE 08 A.D. and Elephant B presented high density of green leaf blade, low percentage of dead material and high density of remaining basal tillers and new aerial tillers, with averages of 5.0±0.4 kg DM/ha/cm; 33±0.2%; 22±0.2 and 146±0.4 tillers/m², respectively. The HV-241 presented high participation of dead material in its aerial biomass (55.6±0.3%) due to high tiller mortality (19±0.3 and 114±0.4 basal and aerial dead tillers/m², respectively). The genotypes CE 08 A.D. and Elephant B had been distinguished as promising to be used under grazing in the dry period. The genotype HV-241, elephantgrass hybrid with pearl millet, was more affected by water stress during the dry period of the year.
elephantgrass; millet; morphological fractions; pasture height; tillering
