The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural and productive features of Panicum maximum cultivars (Tanzânia, Mombaça, Massai, and Zuri) in three rest periods (30, 45 and 60 days), in the semiarid region of Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The length of the leaf blade and the diameter of the stem increased as a function of the cut intervals. Leaf blade width and number of live leaves (3.86 leaves tiller-1) were not affected by cut intervals. The height of the canopy increased with the ages, with effect in the mass of forage, being the cv. Zuri the most productive with 148,75 cm e 18.297,49 kg ha-1 DM at 60 days. The highest masses of leaves and stems were obtained in the longest rest period, while the leaf/stem ratio decreased. In the cutoff interval of 45 days, the cultivars of Panicum maximum have shown satisfactory yield, and the smaller cut interval provides a reduction in canopy height and stem thickness.

This study assessed the effect of three cutting intervals (30, 45 and 60 days) on structural and production features of five different cultivars (Urochloa Brizantha: Marandu, Piatã and Xaraés; Urochloa decumbens: Basilisk; Urochloa hybrid: Mulato I). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. The interaction between the defoliation frequency and the cultivars not significant to the length and width of the leaf blade, the diameter of the stem, and the number of living leaves. There was no effect of the cutting intervals on the width of the leaf blade, and the number or living leaves. The length and width of the leaf blade were highest in the Xaraés grass. The diameter of the stem, the height canopy and the forage mass grew as a function of the cutting interval. Cv. Xaraés displayed the highest heights and was the most productive. Stems and leaves masses, and the accumulation rates grew with the increase of the cutting intervals. The ratio leaf blade stem decreased as increasing the cutting intervals. Urochloa pastures should be handled with defoliation frequencies up to 45 days. Cv. Xaraés displays a high dry matter production and we suggest its use in intensive production systems.

This study proposes to evaluate fermentation losses and dry matter recovery rate in cactus silages with elephant grass. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Treatments consisted of cactus silages with increasing levels of elephant grass (10, 20, 30 and 40 % on a fresh-weight basis). The material was ensiled in experimental PVC tubes and was evaluated after 200 days of fermentation. The inclusion of elephant grass in the silage did not influence its pH (4.55), effluent losses (77.78 kg/t of fresh matter) or dry matter recovery rate (69.03 %), but induced a linear increase in dry matter content (from 8.33 to 14.80 %) and a decrease in gas losses (from 30.33 to 17.20 %). The addition of up to 40 % elephant grass improves the fermentation profile of cactus silage.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento inicial de cultivares de capim-elefante submetidas à adubação fosfatada. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com os tratamentos em arranjo fatorial 2 x 3, correspondendo à aplicação de superfosfato simples (0 e 30 kg/ha de P2O5) e às três cultivares de capim-elefante (Mott, Roxo e Napier), com três repetições. Não houve interação (P>0,05) entre a adubação fosfatada e as cultivares. A adubação fosfatada não influenciou (P>0,05) no desenvolvimento das plantas. As cultivares diferiram (P<0,05) quanto à altura da planta, diâmetro do colmo, número de folhas vivas, massa seca da parte aérea, porcentagem de folha, porcentagem de colmo e relação folha/colmo e não diferiram (P>0,05) quanto à massa fresca e massa seca da raiz. As cvs. Roxo e Napier foram mais produtivas que a cv. Mott, porém esta apresentou maior proporção de folhas em relação às demais.

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