Production, botanical composition and chemical composition of “giant missionary” pasture intercropped with perennial legumes

Abstract

Mixed pastures is a viable alternative to increase forage production and the association of two species (legume and grass) in the same area can improve the nutritional value of animal diet. To evaluate the dry mass forage and chemical composition of giant missionary (GM) pasture (Axonopus catharinensis Valls.) intercropped or not with perennial legume species it was conducted this experiment. The randomized complete block design was used, with three replications in a split plot scheme. In the plots were tested three treatments: MG single crop; MG + forage peanut (FP) (Arachis pintoi cv. Bushel); and MG + Lotus serrano” (LS) (Lotus uliginosus cv. SCS 313 Serrano). The subplots were composed of seven forage cutting times from November 2011 to November 2012. There was interaction between the experimental factors for all variables. The GM intercropping with LS or FP increased the dry matter forage during the spring and summer period. The botanical composition changed during the evaluation period, with reduced participation of LS from 39 to 10%. The participation of FP forage remained at around 8%, but in the winter, this species did not growth. The chemical composition of the forage was influenced by the botanical composition. The higher crude protein content and digestibility was observed in GM + LS. The results indicate that FP and LS show high potential in for intercropping with GM, although the persistence of LS require further assessment.