Production and quality of coastcross conserted forage groundnut under nitrogen fertilization and different grazing layers

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the forage mass production and quality in the morphologic components in different layers of coastcross grass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers cv Coastcross-1) in consortium with forage Groundnut (Arachis pintoi Krapovikas y Gregory cv. Amarillo) with and without N fertilization. The treatments were: coastcross + forage groundnut without N (CA0); with 100kg/ha of N (CA100); with 200 kg/ha of N (CA200); and coastcross exclusively with 200kg/ha of N per year (C200) in the spring, summer and fall. It was used a randomized block design in a split plot. The layers were from zero to 7cm above the soil, 8 to 14cm, and above 15cm. In the lower layers there was higher total forage mass production. For the grass fractions there was no difference in the lower and higher layers however it was observed highter mass production with highest levels of fertilization. The senescent material was higher in fall. The intermediate layer showed superior values in the spring and fall compared to summer as a result of grazing in this layer be constituted of highest percentage of culms witch presented highest quality. The quality values were higher in treatments with nitrogen fertilization.