Decomposition of senescent leaves of signalgrass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf. R. Webster) and arboreal legumes in silvopastoral systems

Herrera, Ana María Trejos; Mello, Alexandre Carneiro Leão de; Apolinário, Valéria Xavier de Oliveira; Júnior, José Carlos Batista Dubeux; Silva, Valdson José da; Santos, Mércia Virgínia Ferreira dos; Cunha, Márcio Vieira da

doi:10.1007/s10457-020-00542-1

Cited by 23 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Herrera et al . (2020), evaluating the decomposition of senescent leaves in Brachiaria decumbens , also found a reduction in the C:N ratio over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Soybean yield in integrated crop–livestock system in comparison to soybean–maize succession system

et al. 2021

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Among integrated crop–livestock systems, forage succession is an advantageous strategy for the use of pasture to feed cattle in periods of low rainfall, as well as for the generation of biomass for the no-till system for the next crop. Different species have different abilities to accumulate nutrients in their biomass, which are then released into the soil through the decomposition of crop residues. This study aimed to evaluate soybean yield in an integrated crop–livestock system in comparison to soybean–maize succession system through the production, decomposition and nutrient accumulation in the biomass. The experiment had a randomized block design with four replicates. The treatments were three cropping systems: integrated crop–livestock with Paiaguas palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguas), integrated crop–livestock with Tamani guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. BRS Tamani) and maize grown in succession to soybean. The results showed that the use of the integrated crop–livestock system in the form of forage succession provided greater soil cover and nutrient cycling as a result of the better utilization of the animal's excreta, than the cropping of maize in succession and resulted in higher soybean productivity, thus contributing to agricultural sustainability. Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani guinea grass showed a C:N ratio greater than 30:1, indicating slow decomposition of plant residues. The forages accumulated amounts of nutrients in their biomass that met the soybean demand, resulting in higher grain yield.

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“…Herrera et al . (2020), evaluating the decomposition of senescent leaves in Brachiaria decumbens , also found a reduction in the C:N ratio over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Soybean yield in integrated crop–livestock system in comparison to soybean–maize succession system

et al. 2021

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“…In the present study, the stubble mass was less in the warm than cool season, with weather conditions generally more favorable for plant growth during the warm season (Table 1), resulting in greater FAR (Table 2). This occurred due to greater stem elongation, which contributed to a greater quantity of herbage above the stubble height, and more favorable conditions for dead material decomposition (Herrera et al., 2020). Greater FAR was measured in Capiporã and Xaraés during the warm season due to more erect structure than other grasses, and both presented greater canopy height, forage and leaf accumulation (Lara et al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regrowth of brachiariagrasses as related to stubble characteristics under N fertilization and irrigation

et al. 2022

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Seasonal and annual changes in stubble characteristics can affect the regrowth of warm‐season perennial grasses. Understanding these changes and their effects on forage accumulation rate (FAR) can improve defoliation management. Our objective was to describe and relate variations in stubble characteristics with FAR during regrowth of four palisadegrasses [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster], genotypes Marandu, Xaraés, Arapoty, and Capiporã, and one signalgrass [Brachiaria decumbens (Stapf.) syn. Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R.D. Webster] cultivar Basilisk, in southeastern Brazil. Plots were harvested at 15‐cm stubble height every 28 d during the warm season and 42 d during the cool season of years 2005–2006 and 2007–2008. Stubble mass was ∼1,070 kg DM ha−1 greater in the cool than warm season, whereas FAR was less in the cool season. Arapoty and Basilisk showed generally less FAR (∼45 kg d−1) and stubble leaf, stem, dead material, and total mass during the warm season than more productive grasses Capiporã and Xaraés (∼63 kg d−1). Leaf and canopy photosynthesis varied over seasons and years, but they were similar among grasses despite differences in stubble characteristics and FAR. Marandu accumulated more leaf in the stubble than other grasses, resulting in greater residual leaf area index, but it did not increase FAR. Under less favorable growth conditions, grasses increased stubble herbage mass (SHM). More productive grasses generally present greater SHM and leaf mass, indicating that stubble characteristics play an important role in the regrowth of brachiariagrasses.

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“…A greater ADG in SPS–gliricidia can be a consequence of the presence of younger leaves and the legume contribution to the system. In a companion work, legume leaf biomass within the reach of the grazing animals (<1.5 m) ranged from 0 to 94 kg DM ha −1 at any given evaluation (Herrera et al., 2020). Therefore, although legume leaf biomass was not a significant component of total forage biomass, litter deposition and decay might have resulted in greater nutritive value for signalgrass growing in SPS–gliricidia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only the green fraction was chemically analyzed for crude protein (CP) using the Kjeldahl method. In a companion study in the same area (Herrera et al, 2020), the average leaf biomass potentially reached by livestock (from ground level up to 1.5 m height) ranged from 0 to 94 kg dry matter (DM) ha −1 for gliricidia and from 0 to 27 kg DM ha −1 for mimosa. Trees were fully developed, and the major benefits were the nutrient cycling and provision of shade.…”

Section: Herbage Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tree legume enhances livestock performance in a silvopasture system

et al. 2021

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Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) can increase overall productivity and long‐term income due to the simultaneous production of trees, forage, and livestock. This 2‐yr study evaluated animal performance and herbage responses in C4–grass monoculture or in SPS in the subhumid tropical region of Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were: Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R. Webster (Signalgrass) + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth (SPS–mimosa), Signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp (SPS–gliricidia), and signalgrass monoculture (SM). Response variables included herbage and livestock responses. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. There was a treatment × month interaction for herbage mass. Green herbage accumulation rate ranged from 20 to 80 kg dry matter ha−1 d−1 across months, with SPS–mimosa presenting lower rates. Average daily gain was greater in SPS–gliricidia, followed by SM and SPS–mimosa (0.77, 0.56, and 0.23 kg d−1, respectively), varying across months. Stocking rate ranged from 0.86 to 1.6 AU ha−1. Total gain per area during the experimental period was greater for SPS–gliricidia (423 kg body weight [BW] ha−1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (347 kg BW ha−1) and SPS–mimosa (50 kg BW ha−1). Silvopasture systems using signalgrass and gliricidia enhanced livestock gains compared with signalgrass in monoculture, and mimosa trees outcompeted signalgrass, reducing livestock gains. Silvopasture systems with tree legumes have the potential to provide numerous ecosystem services and to reduce the C footprint of livestock systems in the tropics; however, the choice of tree species is key and is determined by which ecosystem service is prioritized.

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Decomposition of senescent leaves of signalgrass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf. R. Webster) and arboreal legumes in silvopastoral systems

Cited by 23 publications

References 38 publications

Soybean yield in integrated crop–livestock system in comparison to soybean–maize succession system

Soybean yield in integrated crop–livestock system in comparison to soybean–maize succession system

Regrowth of brachiariagrasses as related to stubble characteristics under N fertilization and irrigation

Tree legume enhances livestock performance in a silvopasture system

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