It was evaluated the characteristics of the biomass of Tanzania grass under three defoliation frequencies (85, 95 and 97% interception of the photosynthetically active radiation - IPAR) and two post-grazing residue (residual leaf area index of 1.0 and 1.8) in a complete randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The longest resting period was observed for the lowest post-grazing residue and frequency of 97% of IPAR. A high height as well as a higher leaf area index for the frequency with 97% of IPAR was observed. However, for tiller population density (TPD) and the number of leaves/tiller, an interaction among factors occured, reducing their values on pastures managed with residual leaf area index of 1.8. Forage mass, except for dead forage, was strongly influenced by defoliation frequency, showing a higher production for defoliation frequency with 95% of IPAR. Light interception in the residue and height for this condition were higher for the highest post-grazing residue. Residual TPD showed interaction among factors with tillering reduction in the frequencies 85 and 95% of the IPAR of 1.8. In the residual condition, forage mass was strongly influenced by residual leaf area index, with more grazing remaining material observed for rLAI of 1.8. The use of Tanzania grass pasture cannot exceed 95% interception of the photosynthetically active radiation, but it is possible to adopt post-grazing residual leaf area index of 1.0.
biomass components; grazing intensity; interception of the photosynthetically active radiation; leaf area index; sheep
