The use of pastures of the genus Cynodon has increased, for the last decade especially in dairy properties of Rio Grande do Sul. This research aims to compare the dynamic, dry matter production, quality and botanical composition of Coastcross-1 (Cynodon dactylon x C. nlemfluensis) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) cv. Comum pastures. The pastures were utilized by lactating Holstein dairy cows under rotational stocking system. Pregraze dry matter availability (DMA), daily dry matter accumulation rate (DMR), total dry matter production (TDM) were evaluated. For the botanical composition, the structural components: leaf blade (LB), stem + sheat (SS), dead material (DMT) of pastures and other species (OS) were evaluated. Before and after grazing, samples were collected by hand-plucking in order to determine the crude protein concentration (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). No significant difference (P>.05) was observed to DMA, DMR, TDM and CP. Pearl millet presented greater availability of LB (P<.05), smaller NDF (P<.05) in pregraze and postgraze herbage mass and greater contribution of OS (P<.05). The total grazing period was greater in Coastcross-1 pasture.
botanical composition; tropical pastures; rotational grazing
