This research was conducted during the 1994/95 and 1995/96 growing seasons (Oct./Apr.), at the Estação Experimental de Ituporanga/EPAGRI - SC, aiming to evaluate the pasture dynamics of `Mott' dwarf elephantgrass (MDE) under four levels of forage on offer (FO). The actual levels of green leaf lamina dry matter (GLLDM) were 3.8; 7.5; 10.2 and 14.0 kg/100 kg LW/day, under continuous grazing, using steers of 8 to 10 mo through the put-and-take technique. A completely randomized block design with two replications was used. Forage on offer established average residues for green leaf lamina dry matter (RGLLDM) of 722, 1537, 2332 and 2542 kg/ha, respectively. The green leaf lamina dry matter accumulation, ground cover, plant diameter, tiller weight, plant height and internode length were increased by higher FO. Lower levels of FO increased soil apparent density and decreased in soil total porosity, and root system, with higher encroachment of annual species on MDE pasture. Forage on offer of 10 to 11 kg GLLDM/100 kg LW/day (RGLLDM of 2000 to 2300 kg/ha) allows for sustainable pasture condition of MDE, under continuous stocking.
morphological characteristics; continuous grazing; density and porosity of soil; green leaf lamina; ground cover; Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott
