STOCKING RATE EFFECT ON THE PERSISTENCY OF Brachiaria dictyoneura CIAT 6133 ASSOCIATED WITH TWO TROPICAL LEGUMES.

Abstract

In the Experimental Station of IDIAP, Gualaca, Panama, was evaluated the stocking rate effect on the persistency of the Brachiaria dictyoneura 6133 associated with Arachis pintoi 17434 and Centrosema macrocarpum 5062. The grazing period was of seven days and the resting period was of 35 days. It was evaluated three stocking rate: 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 AU/ha. A split plot arraignment was used. Results showed that A. pintoi 17434 and C. macrocarpum 5062 did not affect (P>0.05) the forage disponibility of the association. Pasture x stocking rate interaction was no significant (P>0.05) indicating that legume forage disponibility (kg DM/ha) was similar in the three stocking rate. However, increment of the stocking rate decreased forage disponibility (kg DM/ha). Proportion of A. pintoi 17434 and C. macrocarpum 5062 in the association was not affected by the years of evaluation. Stocking rate did not affected (P>0.05) the botanical composition of the association. Pasture x stocking rate interaction was highly affected (P<0.01) in the association with B. dyctioneura; the proportion of the legume showed that A. pintoi 17434 maintained the proportion of 26.86% and 22.96% with stocking rate of 2.0 and 3.0 AU/ha, respectively. On the other hand, with C. macrocarpum 5062 the proportion was 24.60% with stocking rate of 1.0 AU/ha while stocking rate of 2.0 and 3.0 AU/ha affected the legume until 10.6%. It was concluded that whit medium and high stocking rate favored the persistency of A. pintoi 17434 but with low stocking rate favored the persistency of C. macrocarpum 5062.