Megathyrsus Maximus cv. Massai submetido a frequências de corte

Abstract

We evaluated the growth dynamics and forage production of Massai grass subjected to different cutting frequencies during the rainy season, with the aim to determine the most suitable cutting frequency to increase grass productivity. A randomized block design with four treatments (four cutting frequencies, 24, 32, 48, and 96 days) was used. The morphological characteristics were evaluated weekly in seven random tillers. Leaf appearance rate, phyllochron value, foliar elongation rate, leaf senescence rate, and stem elongation rate were influenced (p < 0.05) by the cutting frequency, while no effect was found for leaf life span. The number of live leaves per tiller, mean length of leaf blades, population density of tillers (DPP), and sheath length were influenced by the cutting frequency, along with plant height, dry mass of harvested leaf blade, dry mass of harvested stem, dry mass of harvested dead material, and leaf/stem ratio, while there was no effect on dry mass of forage harvested. The rates of leaf blade accumulation, stem accumulation, forage loss, and forage production were not affected by cutting frequency. A cutting frequency of 24 days resulted in the highest productivity values of Massai grass during the rainy season.