Silvopastoral system implementation with African MAHOGANY in Marandu palisadegrass pastures

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems should be studied in order to optimize its components production. The aim of this study is to evaluate the production of Marandu Palisadegrass and African Mahogany trees as single culture in trade patterns, and in a silvopastoral system with Marandu Palisadegrass swards managed with intermittent stocking or not grazed during the experimental period. African Mahogany growth evaluations will be held every six months after planting. All trees will be evaluated on the following characters: diameter, total height and the first whorl height, and survival. In Marandu Palisadegrass swards we will evaluate forage accumulation rate and its components, tiller density, leaf area index, morphological composition, nutritional value, sward structure and animal performance. Treatments correspond to rotational stocking grazing management with 25 cm pre-grazing height and 15 cm post-grazing height or ungrazed swards, in integrated swards with African Mahogany with three rows (5 x 5 x 5 m between trees) or one row (4 m between trees) trees, spaced 15 m apart, and African Mahogany only (5 x 5 x 5 m between trees) in a randomized complete block design with three replications, in a 2 x factorial design (marandu palisadegrass in rotational stocking and not grazed, with trees in one and three rows) with an additional treatment (African Mahogany only). The results will be submitted to analysis of variance using PROC MIXED (SAS). Therefore, we expect to be able to determine the management that contributes to pastures, animal and wood productivity, subsidizing the understanding and adoption of viable and profitable silvopastoral systems. (AU)