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The implementation of more sustainable soil management strategies, such as the use of cover crop for no-till system with crop rotation, can help increase nutrient use efficiency and consequently decrease the use of mineral fertilizers for agriculture. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the efficiency of desiccation, decomposition and release of nutrients in the biomass of forage plants of the genus Brachiaria after intercropping with sorghum in integrated systems for soybean productivity. The experiment was conducted in the field in two agricultural seasons in randomized block design with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of biomass obtained after sorghum intercropping with forage plants of the Brachiaria genus (Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés, Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás, Brachiaria cv. BRS Ipyporã), sorghum biomass in monoculture, which after cutting for grain production, remained fallow for one year and an additional soybean treatment without soil cover biomass. The results showed that Cropping systems on sorghum and forage biomass resulted in a 25.64% increase in soybean yields compared to soybeans grown without soil cover. The use of tropical forage as a cover crop in integrated systems proved to be an efficient technique for biomass production, in order to minimize the effect of water deficit during soybean development, and nutrient cycling, which resulted in the replacement of mineral potassium fertilization for the no-till soybean system, by making better use of soil nutrients and contributing to greater sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to measure the efficiency of visual selection of plant vigor for green biomass production of U. ruziziensis using single- and multitrait approaches to maximize the predictive accuracy of the genetic value. The green biomass production and plant vigor of 254 U. ruziziensis clones were measured over nine evaluation cuttings to determine the efficiency of these approaches for production improvement. Individual and multicutting analyses were performed under single-trait and multitrait approaches using mixed models. The efficiency of visual selection was assessed by measuring plant vigor based on direct and indirect genetic gains. Plant vigor showed a high genetic association with green biomass and could be selected for production, especially in the initial phases of breeding programs. The multitrait approach was superior to the single-trait approach in predicting the genetic value of the clones, and it can be used in U. ruziziensis breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brachiaria humidicola (Bh) has the ability to produce biological nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and release NIs from the root to the soil. Aims: To compare the effects of growing Bh with Brachiaria ruziziensis (Br, which is not able to produce NIs) on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, N gases and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and nitrifiers and denitrifiers following sheep urine application, a laboratory incubation was conducted in a He/O2 continuous flow denitrification system (DENIS). This incubation was conducted in the absence of light. Hence the measured effects of Bh and Br on N cycling were the residual effect of biological NIs released into the soil prior to the incubation and released via root death. Methods: The treatments were: (1) Bh with water application (Bh + W); (2) Bh with sheep urine (Bh + U); (3) Br with water application (Br + W); (4) Br with sheep urine (Br + U). Results: Results showed that soil NO3– concentration increased significantly in the soil with sheep urine application after the incubation. Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions increased immediately after the sheep urine application and peaked twice during the incubation. Cumulative emissions for the first peak were significantly lower from the Bh + U treatment (0.054 kg N ha–1) compared with the Br + U treatment (0.111 kg N ha–1), but no significant differences were observed in the total cumulative N2O and NO emissions between the Bh + U and Br + U treatment at the end of the incubation. Sheep urine addition did not affect the AOA, nirS and nosZ gene copies, but significantly increased the AOB gene copies after the incubation. Conclusions: We conclude that the residual effect of Bh to mitigate N2O emissions in a highly nitrifying soil is short‐lived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was hypothesized that i t is possible that inoculum from different ruminant specie s with different digesti ve abilities feeding from a certain forage may show different feed utilization s comparing to other ruminant specie s . Five Brachiaria grass es were evaluated : B . decumbens cv . Basilisk, B . decumbens access D70, B . humidicola cv . Tupi, B humidicola cv . Common, and B . ruziziensis access R124, at two regrowth ages (21 and 42 d) . Production, bromatological content, in vitro dry matter digestibility ( iv DMD ) and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility ( iv NDFD ) were analyzed using bovine or ovine inoculums . The experiment use d a 5 × 2 × 2 factorial design and found significant effect s for grass variety and regrowth age . In addition, significant interaction s from grass × age on dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of total sample and leaf blade were found . There were significant effect of grass variety and grass age on forage mass, leaf blade / stem ratio, leaf blade, stem, senescent material and growth. I n vitro digestibility assays of inoculum source showed significant effect i n some varieties . Due to differences in in vitro assays, it was recommended t he use of specie s - specific inoculums for feed evaluations according to the animal it is intended for . Also, B. decumbens cv . Basilisk presented the best in vitro digestibility ( iv DMD and iv NDFD ) in bovine inoculum, whereas B. humidicola cv . Tupi had better in vitro digestibility ( iv DMD and iv N D FD) in ovine inoculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil tillage and cover crops impact spontaneous vegetation in agrosystems. Soil tillage destroys seedlings and can affect the soil seedbank. Cover crops compete with naturally occurring spontaneous species. Our aim was to gain insight into how soil tillage (here, the false seedbed technique) and cover crops impact the spontaneous vegetation in fallows preceding banana crops. In a fallowed field in Guadeloupe (French West Indies), two factors were combined in a split-plot design: the soil tillage modality before cover crop sowing (with or without the false seedbed technique) and the cover crop species (Crotalaria spectabilis, Pueraria phaseoloïdes, a 50/50 mix of Brachiaria decumbens + Brachiaria ruziziensis, a spontaneous vegetation control). On a monthly basis, in three permanent quadrats per sub-plot, all spontaneous species were identified and their numbers counted, while calculating the species richness and Shannon's diversity index. The spontaneous vegetation dynamics contrasted depending on the treatment. From 7 months post-sowing the species density, richness and Shannon index were significantly lower in treatments with B. decumbens + B. ruziziensis and P. phaseoloïdes, while in treatments with C. spectabilis, the species density and richness were significantly higher with than without the false seedbed technique. These effects were probably related to differences in the competitive ability of the cover crop used and, to a lesser extent, to the false seedbed effects on the soil seedbank. This is the first study to show that under a tropical climate, sown cover crop species combined with different soil tillage modalities have substantial impacts on the species density, richness and diversity of the spontaneous plant community over a 1-year period. These results could help farmers in their weed control strategies by providing them with a deeper understanding of the effects of practices on the spontaneous plant community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage plant breeders often use visual scores to assess agronomic traits because of the costs associated with in-depth phenotyping in the initial stages of breeding cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the number of graders on the effectiveness of indirect selection of high-yielding genotypes and determine an optimal number of graders in the early-stage trials of Urochloa ruziziensis. For that purpose, five graders assessed 2.219 U. ruziziensis genotypes in an augmented block design. Biomass production and vigor scores were evaluated in two cuts and were analyzed using a linear mixed model approach. Vigor scores were analyzed considering each grader's score and the combinations of two, three, four, and five graders. Genetic variance was significant for both traits. Visual evaluation was effective in identifying productive genotypes based on the statistical criteria. The optimal number of graders for indirect selection of high-yielding U. ruziziensis genotypes is three. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the control and susceptibility of signalgrass and ruzigrass in initial growth under different rates of glyphosate and fluazifop-p-butil. The treatments were distributed in a 2 × 6 factorial design, with five repetitions, being two grasses: Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk (signalgrass) and B. ruziziensis (ruzigrass) with six doses of herbicides: 0.00; 0.25; 0.50; 1.00; 1.5 and 2.00 times the commercial dose recommended by manufacturers. At 7, 15, 21, and 30 days after herbicide application (DAA) were evaluated the intoxication in signalgrass and ruzigrass, visually. The glyphosate toxicity was of 100% in both plants, signalgrass and ruzigrass, even at the lowest dose (90 g ha-1), so it can control effectively these species in early growth stage. It was observed that the plants exposed to fluazifop-p-butil showed regrowth only in the doses to 100 g ha-1 and 50 g ha-1 for signalgrass and ruzigrass, respectively. These results confirm the effectiveness of this herbicide molecule in the control of these two species from doses of 200 g ha-1 and 100 g ha-1 for signal grass and ruzigrass, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The preference evaluation of cattle is an important factor for estimation and improvement of the grazing amounts of newly introduced or bred grasses or cultivars in barn. This study was performed to assess the grazing behavior (the amount of grazing and/or the grazing speed) of cattle as indirect method using newly bred Brachiaria ruziziensis tetraploid strain 'OKI-1'(BR) hay as treatment group and Cloris gayana 'Callide' (CG) hay as control group. It also compared the feasibility of using behavioral differences between two groups as one criteria for evaluating preference by Japanese black cattle in barn. Methods: Three experiments were carried out using 12 growing Japanese Black cattle including 6 males and 6 females. In each experiment, the four Japanese Black cattle (2 males and 2 females) were placed in separated stall and allowed to graze BR and CG in manger that was separated into two portions for about 30 min. The position and behavior of the cattle were recorded, and weighed the residual of each gay at 15 and 30 minutes after experiment start. Results: The BR was superior to CG in chemical composition such as protein, fibers and non-fibrous carbohydrate. The cattle, over all, tended to prefer BR over CG in the first half 15 minutes in terms of the time spent and amount of grazing. Additionally, growing cattle exhibited neophilia for BR bred newly. Conclusion: These findings indicated the current approach could be applied for one of criteria to evaluate the preference of hay by Japanese black cattle under indoor housing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) has become a growing disease problem to soybean crop. Considering the limited availability of soybean varieties that combine resistance to the nematode and other desirable agronomic traits, cultural management could be an approach for the nematode management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of summer season crop rotations with corn or sunnhemp compared with soybean monocropping, and fall management with ruzizigrass as a covercrop compared to fallow on the nematode population. The experiment was carried-out in a naturally infested soil (1245 reniform nematodes/200cc soil) in a randomized block design, with six treatments arranged in plots with 6x3m (18m2) with four replications in a factorial 3x2 (summer crop x fall management). The nematode soil population density and its variation during the season as well as the soybean yield in the subsequent soybean crop were evaluated. Crop rotation with corn or sunnhemp led to the decrease on the reniform nematode population density compared to the monoculture of soybeans, with positive effects on soybean yield in the following season. There was no effect of cover cropping with ruzizigrass on the reniform nematode population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSF-CW) with a surface area of 240 m2 and HRT of 2 days, was used in the post treatment of a facultative aerated pond. Application rates of 175 kg BOD 5 ha−1 day−1 and 408 kg COD ha−1 day−1 can be considered admissible for HSF-CW operation following a facultative aerated pond. The system presented values for COD, BOD 5 and TSS removal of 88%, 98.8% and 99.3%, respectively. The system supported operation at a solids application rate of 23.3 g TSS m−2 day−1 for two years without clogging. The species grown in the CW (Brachiaria ruziziensis) presented a biomass produtivity of between 1.86 and 2.55 kg m−2 y−1, providing CO 2 biofixation of between 3.10 and 3.98 kg m−2 y−1. The present study, conducted over two years, indicates that the HSF-CW model employed, and the operational parameters proposed, can be used in post treatment for a pond system that is not operating satisfactorily. [Display omitted] • HSF-CW was tested as a post treatment for facultative pond. • Application rate of 175 kg BOD 5 ha−1 d−1 is admissible for CW operation • Biofixation of 31 and 39.8 t CO 2 ha−1 y−1 were recorded using Brachiaria ruziziensis • Application rate of 23.3 g TSS m−2 d−1 were considered admissible [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the growth of forage production in crop-livestock system and the possibility of sowing forages at different depths, it's still necessary more research to understand the development of the main forage plants. This study aimed to evaluate the tillering and dry matter yield of two brachiaria species under different depths of seed deposition intercropped with corn in integrated crop-livestock production in the Cerrado region. The experiment was conducted in no-tillage system in Selvíria - Mato Grosso do Sul State, in an Oxisol, clayey. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial scheme 2x3, with four replications. The treatments were two species of brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandú' and Brachiaria ruziziensis), whose seeds were mixed with fertilizer from corn, and three different depths (8, 10 and 16cm) of fertilizer deposition. The deposition of brachiarias seeds to 16cm depth resulted in lower stand of tillers and dry matter yield. The tillering of forages was influenced by the phases of the corn cycle, with trend towards stabilization in closing between the lines of culture and taken up in the issuance of tillers at the end of the cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Physical fractions (free light fraction, intra-aggregate light fraction and heavy fraction) of soil organic matter (SOM) are good indicators of soil quality for sustainable land use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crops on total organic carbon (TOC) and physical fractions of soil organic matter in soil under a no-tillage system (NTS) and a conventional tillage system (CTS, one plowing and two disking). A three-year field experiment was carried out as a cover crop-rice (Oryza sativa)-cover crop-rice rotation. Treatments included cover crops (Panicum maximum, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha, and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), fallow, till or no till. The SOM was physically fractionated in free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregates light fraction (IALF) and heavy fraction (HF). The levels of C in whole soil were also evaluated, as well as C in the light fractions (FLF+IALF) and in the HF. Results indicated that concentrations of C in the FLF and IALF in surface soils (0–0.05m) were much higher (10.8 and 1.95gkg−1, respectively) than that in the 0.05–0.1m soil depth (7.68 and 1.54gkg−1, respectively) and in the 0.1–0.2m soil depth (4.98 and 1.24gkg−1, respectively). The NTS resulted in higher levels of FLF (12.2gkg−1) and IALF (2.19gkg−1) than with CTS (1.37–7.30gkg−1). Millet had the highest C (19.5gkg−1) and N (1.1gkg−1) concentrations in soil. There was an accumulation of TOC and total N in the surface soil with cover crops, and concentrations of TOC were higher in the HF (79.0%) than in the light fractions (21.0%). Although SOM changed little during the two years of this experiment, the various C fractions were significantly affected by the tillage treatments. We conclude that SOM physical fractionation allowed seeing significant differences caused by the soil management in the organic matter dynamics in a short period of time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Grasses take direct action in the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates due to the density of roots and the release of organic exudates in soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the root system of Brachiaria ruziziensis Germain et Evrard in the formation and stabilization of aggregates of an Oxisol. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse, using soil collected in the upper 0-20cm depth. Loosening the soil was manually and passed through a sieve of 2.00mm mesh size and subsequently separated by diameter classes of aggregates from 2.00-1.00, 1.00-0.50 and 0.50-0.25mm, with the help of specific mesh sieves. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial 3x2x2x4, corresponding to three diameter classes of aggregates (2.00-1.00, 1.00-0.50 and from 0.50-0.25mm), two conditions crop (with and without grass), two moisture contents (100% and 60% of available water), and four sampling times (90, 180, 270 and 360 days after planting the grass), with four repetitions. The aggregate samples were packed in polyethylene vessels with a capacity of 10kg. The moisture content was balanced through irrigation every two days. Samples were taken every three months, determining the mean diameter of airdried aggregates (DMPAs), the mean weight diameter of stable aggregates in water (DMPAu) and aggregate stability index (IAS = DMPAu/DMPAs). It was found higher values of DMPAu and IAS to treatment with grass, indicating that the root system of Brachiaria ruziziensis favored increased formation and stabilization of soil aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems that have been recently introduced in Northern Cameroon recommend sowing cover crops in the first year of rotations which are followed by subsequent crops of interest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seeding year biomass production of Brachiaria ruziziensis in the cotton producing zone of Cameroon, under recommended organic and mineral fertilizer rates. Biomass production of B. ruziziensis was significantly different among the experimental sites. The highest dry matter yield was recorded in Touboro (20.2 t DM ha-1), followed by Guiring (11.7 t DM ha-1) and Djalingo (8.6 t DM ha-1), stations located to the South, North and Centre of the cotton production zone, respectively. These biomasses are enough for the implementation of direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems. The differences observed among sites suggest their evaluation for biomass production before the use of such systems. Though common to all grasses, the present fertilizer recommendations should be maintained but further work is needed for the determination of optimal fertilizer recommendations using a more extended nutrient scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the corn grain yield and dry mass of Brachiaria forage in two intercrop in crop-livestock integration system at winter-spring season in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was carried out during the 2006 growing season, at the Engineering College Experimental Station (FE/UNESP, Ilha Solteira Campus), Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks, in factorial scheme (4x2), with five replications. The treatments were four Brachiaria species (Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandu', Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria híbrido cv. 'Mulato II') intercropped on rows and spread on total area during corn sowing. It were evaluated the production components, the grain corn yield and the dry mass yield of Brachiaria forage after the corn harvest. The forages intercropped at spread on total area, with emphasis to Brachiaria ruziziensis, provided lower development of corn plants, lower values of production components and grain yield. Although the dry mass yield was satisfactory (above 2,500kg ha-1), except for Brachiaria brizantha, the other species intercropped at spread on total area were higher, with highlight to Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria ruziziensis that showed greater adaptability and forage yield at corn intercrop in crop-livestock integration system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexuality is correlated with diploidy and apomixis with polyploidy in the Brachiaria genus. Brachiaria ruziziensis is a key species in Brachiaria breeding due to its obligate sexuality and intrinsic agronomic qualities. Interspecific crosses in the genus became feasible only when a few diploid accessions of B. ruziziensis were artificially tetraploidized and remained sexual. Hybridization has been done since, using natural tetraploid apomictic accessions of B. brizantha or B. decumbens as pollen donors. Twenty two accessions of B. ruziziensis from the Embrapa Beef Cattle germplasm collection (Campo Grande, MS, Brazil) were cytologically analyzed: 16 are natural diploids (2 n = 2 x = 18) and six are artificially induced tetraploids (2 n = 4 x = 36). The meiotic behavior in the 16 diploid accessions varied. The mean of meiotic abnormalities per accession ranged from zero to 24.46%. Meiotic behavior in the induced tetraploid accessions also varied with the mean of meiotic abnormalities ranging from 5.20% to 54.71%. The most common abnormalities observed in both the diploid and the tetraploid accessions, were those related to irregular chromosome segregation. In one tetraploid accession, with a high frequency of those, other irregularities involving chromosome orientation at metaphase plate and chromosome convergence to the poles, a meiotic mutation known as divergent spindle, were recorded. Meiotic behavior should be considered in selecting potential genitors for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Variation in the nutritive value of three common pasture grasses: Brachiaria ruziziensis, Pennisetum purpureum, Trypsacum laxum and leaves of two leguminous trees: Leucaena leucocephala and Calliandra calothyrsus, were determined throughout a calendar year. Sampling at each foliage was completed monthly between November 2001 and October 2002 followed by analysis for their chemical components. The crude protein (CP) level in the tree leaves was higher than that in the grasses throughout the year while the reverse was true for NDFom and ADFom. There was an increase in the CP level during the rainy season for all forages, and this increase was higher (P<0.01) in B. ruziziensis, P. purpureum, L. leucocephala and C. calothyrsus (P<0.05), respectively, relative to the dry season samples. Lipid levels were higher (P<0.05) in B. ruziziensis and C. calothyrsus during the rainy season. Sulfuric acid lignin (sa) was higher (P<0.01) in B. ruziziensis and L. leucocephala during the dry season. Brachiaria had the highest level of P irrespective of season. Seasonal variations in the levels of the nutrients in these foliages suggest that, throughout the year, different amounts of leguminous tree leaves would be needed to supplement diets of ruminants whose main feed comes from grazing natural pastures, as is the case in the Central African region. This will help to ameliorate the overall productive and reproductive performance of ruminants in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brachiaria ruziziensis is a sexual diploid tropical grass species of wide adaptation and good forage quality. Pachytene chromosomes were studied in morphological detail and all nine chromosomes were identified by their length, centromere position, and size and distribution of chromomeres. The idiogram prepared for the first time in this species consists at four median and five submedian chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forages of the genus Brachiaria stand out among those used in integrated systems. Little is known about the potential value of new species and cultivars when intercropped with sorghum and planted in the second crop season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance (agronomic characteristics) of grain sorghum and the production and nutritional characteristics of forage plants of the genus Brachiaria in an integrated agricultural production system in the second season. The experiment had a randomized block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the intercropping of sorghum with forage plants of the genus Brachiaria (Ruziziensis grass, Marandu, Xaraes, Piata, Paiaguas palisadegrass and Ipypora grass), in addition to an extra treatment with sorghum in monoculture. The results showed that sorghum intercropping with Ruziziensis grass, Paiaguas palisadegrass, Piata, and Ipypora grass did not cause a reduction in grain yield. The Xaraes, Piata, and Paiaguas palisadegrass showed higher forage production. However, the Paiaguas, Piata palisadegrass, and Ipypora grass showed better nutritional value. The sorghum intercropping with forage plants of the genus Brachiaria were promising alternatives for grain and forage production in the off-season. The right forage grass combined with sorghum in an integrated system can intensify agricultural production, optimizing the use of the area and increasing sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]