Plant and animal responses of elephant grass pasture-based systems mixed with pinto peanut

Abstract

The effects of growing pinto peanut mixed with elephant grass-based pastures are still little known. The aim of the current research was to evaluate the performance of herbage yield, nutritive value of forage and animal responses to levels of pinto peanut forage mass mixed with elephant grass in low-input systems. Three grazing systems were evaluated: (i) elephant grass-based (control); (ii) pinto peanut, low-density forage yield (63 g/kg of dry matter – DM) + elephant grass; and (iii) pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield (206 g/kg DM) + elephant grass. The experimental design was completely randomized with the three treatments (grazing systems) and three replicates (paddocks) in split-plot grazing cycles. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the pasture and animal responses. Leaf blades of elephant grass and the other companion grasses of pinto peanut were collected to analyse the crude protein, in vitro digestible organic matter and total digestible nutrients. The pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield + elephant grass treatment was found to give the best results in terms of herbage yield, forage intake and stocking rate, as well as having higher crude protein contents for both elephant grass and the other grasses, followed by pinto peanut with low-density forage yield + elephant grass and finally elephant grass alone. Better results were found with the grass–legume system for pasture and animal responses.

Sward characteristics, herbage accumulation and nutritional value of elephantgrass based mixed with or without pinto peanut

“…Regarding herbage accumulation, the values confirm thebeneficial effect of the presence of the pinto peanut, with a 27.5% increase in the pasture biomass. In a similar experiment, with 20% of the pinto peanut in the pasture composition, a previous study found an increase in forage production of 21% compared to pure grass pasture (Vieira et al 2019). A similar response was also obtained in a mixed pasture with elephantgrass and red clover (Diehl et al 2014).…”

“…When well-managed under rotational stocking, elephantgrass can persist for decades (Olivo et al 2017). It is usually planted in monoculture with relatively high amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, making production more expensive and less sustainable (Vieira et al 2019). One of the ways to reduce these impacts is intercropping with forage legumes.…”

Production and nutritive value of Tifton 85 bermudagrass pastures overseeded with annual ryegrass and inoculated with diazotrophic bacteria

“…With respect to the post-grazing composition of pastures, less participation of ryegrass is evident due to the cows’ greater preference for winter species than for summer species (Vieira et al ., 2019). For the dead material fraction, an increase occurred due to the effect of trampling and self-shading (Alderman et al ., 2011).…”

Agronomic responses and herbage nutritive value of elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus) genotypes grown as monocrops and mixed with butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)

“…than in the grass monocrop (46 vs 26 kg N/ha). Vieira et al (2019) reported an increase of 81% in dwarf elephant grass HA when forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krap. & Greg.)…”