Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) morphogenesis under grazing by heifers with or without supplementation

The experiment was carried out in an area of the Department of Animal Science of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil to evaluate the effect of defoliation frequency in the morphogenic characteristics of Pennisetum americanum when used or not supplementation to the animals in grazing, during the period of 02/20 - 03/08/01 and 03/11 - 03/01/01. Beef heifers under continuous grazing were adjusted to a variable stocking rate in order to maintain an herbage allowance of 12kg of DM.100kg-1 of live weight. The technique of marked tillers was used to evaluate the growth dynamics of the pasture. The experimental design was completely randomized with 36 repetitions, to analyse the following treatments: Pearl Millet pasture without supplementation; Pearl Millet pasture + 1% of the live weight with citric pulp and Pearl Millet pasture + 1% of the live weight with corn. The pasture variables evaluated were: leaves appearance rate, leaves elongation rate, leaves lifespan and defoliation frequency. On the average of the two periods, defoliation frequency didn't differ between treatments, with an average of 23% of leaves defoliated.tiller-1.day-1. Leaves appearance rate (0.187 leaves.tiller-1.day-1) and leaves elongation rate (24mm/tiller/day) were higher (P<0.05) when using supplement. Leaves lifespan of supplemented treatments was 295.8 degree-day. While in the treatment without supplementation, this value was of 339 degree-day. Use of the supplementation with corn or citric pulp for beef heifers didn't affect the defoliation frequency, conditioning positive responses in morphogenetic characteristics. Selection of better quality forage can cause the reduction of young leaves, damaging plant growth.

leaves lifespan; defoliation frequency; leaves elongation rate; leaves appearance rate