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Plant residues that remain in the soil of an integrated crop-livestock system constitute an important reserve of nutrients for crops in succession. The objective of this study was to evaluate the release of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) from the decomposition of Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Piatã pasture grass, fertilized with three different doses of nitrogen (N) and subjected to two different desiccation periods, prior to sowing a soybean crop. The experiment was conducted in Londrina, Paraná, between March 2016 and March 2018. Three different doses of N were applied to a pasture of U. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã (0, 150 and 300 kg N ha-1), forming three distinct paddocks. In each paddock, two different periods (60 and 15 days prior to sowing soybeans) for pasture desiccation were evaluated with four replications. Polynomial regression analysis was performed for the period after desiccation. Ca and S content in the U. brizantha straw did not vary over the course of decomposition, while magnesium content decreased, despite nitrogen fertilization and the desiccation periods. The amount of Ca released from U. brizantha straw by the end of the successive soybean cycle was approximately 15 kg ha-1, despite nitrogen fertilization and the desiccation periods. The amount of Mg released from U. brizantha straw by the end of the successive soybean cycle ranged from 10 to 15 kg ha-1, while the release of greater amounts tended to correspond with the presence of nitrogen fertilization in the pasture grass. The amount of S released from U. brizantha straw by the end of the successive soybean cycle ranged from 4 to 6 kg ha-1, while the release of lesser amounts tended to correspond with the presence of nitrogen fertilization in the pasture grass, despite the desiccation periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productivity of maize dry matter in the consortium with forage or in single cultivation, oats + ryegrass in succession and the physical attributes in a Red Nitosol. The experiment was conducted in Concórdia - SC in the agricultural years 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The design was a randomized block with 5 replications, consisting of the treatments: T1 - Single maize; T2 - Maize + Pigeon pea forage (Cajanus cajan); T3 - Maize + Urochloa ruziziensis; T4 - Maize + Pigeon pea forage + U. ruziziensis, T5 - Pigeon pea forage and T6 - U. ruziziensis single. The dry mass productivity (PMS) of maize, forage and oats + ryegrass in succession was determined. Also, the Rapid Diagnosis of Soil Structure (DRES) and the Mechanical Resistance of Soil to Penetration (RSP) were carried out after two years of cultivation. The presence of U. ruziziensis and / or Pigeon pea did not affect the dry matter yield of maize in both harvests. The highest PMS of oats were found in the plots following single maize and the smallest for the second crop, where treatments with U. ruziziensis followed. For RSP, no significant differences were found in consortia and single crops. The treatments with U. ruziziensis obtained better indexes of structural quality. The corn consortium with Urochloa ruziziensis, in addition to not reducing silage productivity, provides forage availability in the autumn empty period, as well as improving soil attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is highly demanding and responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization, inserted in several production systems, with the recent highlight for integrated production systems. This study aimed to assess the effect of N rates on maize, as well as the economic aspect in an integrated production system. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Four N rates in topdressing (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) were assessed. Maize was cultivated under black oat and ryegrass mixed straw. Stem diameter, main ear insertion height, and ear parameters, except for the number of rows per ear, which increased linearly as a function of N rates, in turn, plant height responded quadratically until 81 kg N ha-1. Grain yield increased significantly as a function of N, indicating a residual effect of winter fertilization and high N use efficiency in the production system. The highest grain yield and profitability were obtained at the rate of 120 kg N ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The barley culture has been conquering space in Southern Brazil, being an option for rotation with wheat. One of the main constraints for the increased productivity is the race against weed, especially ryegrass. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the barley competitive ability (Hordeum vulgare) against the ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), in relation to the nitrogen absorption and to measure the density in which the culture is negatively affected. For this, a field experiment was conducted using experimental designs of randomized blocks, where the barley coexisted with different ryegrass densities (0, 4, 16, 32, 64 and 128 m-2). The analyzed varieties were plant height, chlorophyll, number of barley and ryegrass stems, barley and ryegrass dry mass, leaf area, number of spikes, number of grains per spike, the weight of a thousand grains and yield. The ryegrass interferes negatively on the barley's development and productivity, even in low densities, being necessary its control to four plants m-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the effects of times of emergence of the weed ryegrass species and wild radish on barley. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, arranged in a 2x5 factorial design, with three replicates. In factor A were allocated the competing species (ryegrass and wild radish) and in factor B the emergence periods (14 and 7 days before, on the same day, 7 and 14 days after crop emergence). At the beginning of barley flowering, the following variables were quantified: plant height, number of stalks or stems, leaf area, and shoot dry mass of crop and weeds. All barley variables had increased in value with the delay in weed emergence. The species, cultivated or weeds, that emerged earlier showed greater competitive ability, dominating the environment when emerging 14 days before each other. The later the emergence of weeds with respect to the crop, the less the interference they cause, and, thereby, the crop presents a greater ability to compete with the weeds for available resources in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective in this study was to characterize the productive potential, monthly yield distribution, and forage plantpart and botanical composition of black oats and annual ryegrass under harvest strategies in São Paulo. The experimental design was completely randomized with treatments corresponding to the combination among stand composition (exclusive oats, exclusive annual ryegrass, or oats + ryegrass, O+R) and harvest strategies (at 95% LI or every 30 days of regrowth, FIXED), in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Stands managed by LI accumulated 1580kg DM ha-1 harvest-1, and those managed by FIXED 2020kg DM ha-1 harvest-1. Leaf proportion was higher in ryegrass (70%), followed by O+R (64%) and oat (52%). Swards managed by LI had higher proportion of leaves and less stem than those harvested at FIXED intervals. The proportion of ryegrass was higher under the LI management (64%), than under the FIXED (70%). Over time there was the replacement of oats by ryegrass in the mixed canopy composition. Exclusive ryegrass stands are recommended. Both harvest strategies can be adopted for these winter forages in integrated systems of agriculture and livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), utilized by female lambs and managed with different forage masses (FM) were studied. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two area replications and three treatments, consisting of forage masses: "High", "Mean" and "Low", corresponding to 1,800-2,000; 1,400-1,600 and 1,000-1,200kg ha'1 of dry matter (DM), respectively. The grazing method was continuous with variable stocking rate. Data were subjected to correlation analysis and polynomial regression. Pseudo stem's height and length of the intact and defoliated leaf blades and number of senescent leaves of Italian ryegrass increased linearly with the increase of forage mass. Number of green leaves was adjusted to the quadratic regression model, number of leaves in elongation and tiller population density did not adjust to any regression model. Management of Italian ryegrass with forage masses between 1,100 and 1,800kg ha'of DM did not cause changes in its morphogenetic characteristics, but causes differences in the structural characteristics of the canopy. When managed with 1,460kg ha 'of DM, tillers of Italian ryegrass maintain greater number of green leaves. Meanwhile, when managed with 1,800kg ha 'of DM it has a higher number of leaf blades in senescence, and leaves with greater length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the practical application of herbicide, overseeded annual ryegrass for the establishment of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) in natural vegetation. The experiments was conducted from October 2007 to November 2008, Estação Experimental Terras Baixas (ETB) - Embrapa Clima Temperado, Capão do Leão - RS. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in split plots with four replications. The plots were represented by the treatments with and without herbicide (3L ha-1 of commercial herbicide glyfosate). The subplots were defined by the absence of forage peanut, the presence of forage peanut, the presence of forage peanut overseeded with annual ryegrass. The frequencies of species of natural vegetation were not influenced by grazing and overseeded ryegrass. The establishment of forage peanut Arachis pintoi is benefited by the herbicide. However, it is a practice that causes a significant reduction of species of forage interest. The presence of annual ryegrass provides a favorable environment for forage peanut during the cool season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This trial aimed to evaluate the nutritive value of white oat (IPR 126), black oat (IAPAR 61), common black oat, common annual ryegrass and dual purpose wheat (BRS Tarumã), sowed on different dates (4th and 24th April, May 14th, and June 3rd 2008). Randomized completely block design was used with four replicates. Cutting regime was done according to sward surface height target, varying to each forage species, as well as stubble height. Harvested material was analyzed in terms of crude protein content (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). There was significant interaction between sowing dates and forage species over all nutritive variables analyzed. CP and TDN of oats and ryegrass were higher in early sowing dates, and NDF content increased in the latest sowing dates. On the contrary, BRS 'Tarumã' had lesser nutritive value in earliest sowing date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to investigate the in situ degradability and in vitro digestibility of forage ingested by sheep grazing on pastures composed exclusively by annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., Treatment 1), black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb., Treatment 2) and mixed of both species (Treatment 3). Three crossbred Suffolk rams, 18 months age and 70 kg BW, were implanted with esophageal cannulas and used to collect the forage samples. The grazing method was continuous with variable stocking and grazing pressure was adjusted to maintain the forage supply in 7% BW in DM.d-1 . The three rams were allocated in the same treatment every three days and submitted to each treatment nine times. Aliquots from extrusa were analyzed for determination of DM, CP and NDF levels. Subsequently the samples were submitted to in situ degradability and in vitro digestibility analysis. The degradability of DM, CP and NDF was consistent to the characteristics and the developmental stage of the pastures, and were higher for ryegrass, intermediate for the mixed pasture and lower for black oats. Variations in characteristics of pastures and changes in behavior selection of forage by grazing animals determined high variability to in vitro digestibility of DM, CP and NDF. Higher values for in vitro digestibility DM and NDF were presented in annual ryegrass, which demonstrated the high quality of this specie compared to black oats in winter. The highest in vitro digestibility of CP in mixed pasture was associated with the presence of ryegrass at the vegetative stage and the black oats in the flowering stage on ingested forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of levels of crude glycerin in the supplement intake and performance of suckling lambs on rye grass pasture, beyond the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of ryegrass pastures. It was used 32 suckling lambs distributed between the treatments: 0, 10, 20 and 30% of crude glycerin, replacing corn, in the isoproteic supplement (18% CP) offered daily in an amount equivalent to 2% of body weight. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the levels of crude glycerin on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pastures, composition of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, stocking rate supported by rye grass pasture, neither on supplement intake, average weight gain and number of days to slaughter the lambs. Levels up to 30% of crude glycerin, replacing corn, provided in the supplement to suckling lambs grazing ryegrass didn't compromise the supplement intake, performance and termination period of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of stem in the vertical structure of Aruana guineagrass and annual ryegrass pastures submitted to strategies of rotational grazing by sheep. Treatments for Aruana guineagrass corresponded to grazing when the swards intercepted 95 and 98% of the incident light (LI) until the postgrazing heights of 10 and 15cm. For annual ryegrass, treatments corresponded to grazing when the swards reached 15 and 25cm (pre-grazing heights) until the post-grazing of 4 and 8cm. The experimental design for two species was a completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, with three replications. To quantify the stem mass present at each 5cm in the vertical structure of the pastures two samples were taken per experimental unit (paddocks of 196m2) using a square of 25cmx25cm. Cut samples was separated in leaves, stem and dead material. Regardless of plant species or pre-grazing height, approximately 90% of the stem is present up to 50% of sward height, suggesting that reported intake reduction beyond this point can be attributed to difficulties in forage manipulation and apprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage breeding is key to improving livestock management and the objective of this study was to evaluate Pearson's simple correlation between the yield components of forage dry matter and grain in ryegrass. Five ryegrass genotypes, planted on five dates and cut from one to four times, were set out in a complete randomized block design. Ryegrass forage with a lower dry matter production, but with more leaves, fewer culms, higher protein and less fiber content, produces a higher grain yield, spike length, thousand grain weight and lower spike number. The association between the yields of dry matter and grain components is an important criterion for selecting ryegrass genotypes, since grain yield is positively correlated with leaf dry matter, gross protein content, spike length and thousand grain weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the methodology of the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological potential of s ryegrass seeds, as well as verify the possibility of the use of unsaturated and saturated solution of NaCl as an option for control of water uptake by seeds during the test without reducing its sensitivity. Four lots of ryegrass seeds were tested for germination, seedling emergence, speed emergence and accelerated aging (periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96h, with or without the use of saturated and saline solution of NaCl). The use of unsaturated and saturated solution of NaCl reduces water absorption by ryegrass seeds during the accelerated aging test, resulting in a rate of deterioration is less pronounced ,less drastic and more uniform results. Option 24h with unsaturated solution (SNS) was only able to stratify plots into two groups and should not be designated as promising. Thus, it should be used the 48h saturated NaCl solution (SSS), which stratified into three lots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was evaluated the effect of nitrogen fertilization in ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) on the production of meat lamb under continuous grazing. Ryegrass pasture was established under no-tillage cropping in area of animal-crop integration system. The fertilization was held with 60kg of P2O5 ha-1 and 60kg of K2O ha-1. The treatments corresponded to the doses 0; 75; 150 e 225kg of N ha-1, in the urea form (45% de N) in single application, 35 days after seeding. The evaluation period was of 84 days. The forage was influenced quadratic ally by N rates, with minimum point at 182.75kg of N ha-1. However, the supply of leaf blades (LFM) was not influenced by doses of N (3.8kg LFM 100kg-1 live weight) or by the average daily weight gain, averaging 0.133 kg of LW an day. For stocking rate and live weight gain per area the doses of N increased 3.0 kg of LW-1 ha-1 and 1.1kg of LW ha-1, respectively for each kg of N applied. Nitrogen fertilization provides increases in animal productivity which results in increase kg of meat produced in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of energy supplementation on the performance and carcass caracteristics of 24 Aberdeen Angus x Charolais steers grazing an annual ryegrass (Lollium multiflorum L.) and Oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) pasture managed in order to avoid constrains to animal performance was evaluated. Treatments were levels of supplementation of 0; 0.4; 0.8 and 1.2% BW with a corn and mineral based supplement. Animals were slaughtered as they achieve 4,5mm of fat cover in the rump (P8) evaluated ultrasonography. No differences were observed in fat deposition, measured in live animals with ultrasound at the end of performance period, and in live weight gain, which showed average values of 3,9mm and 1,54kg d-1 respectively. Blood serum levels of urea were linearly decreased and cholesterol linearly increased by energy supplementation, with no differences in the serum levels of glucose and triglicerides. Energy supplementation linearly increased the killing-out proportion and carcass weight gain, but no differences were observed on the rib eye area, slaughter weight and hot carcass weight, wich averaged 67,85cm2, 438,95kg e 227,75kg. Increasing the levels of supplementation resulted in higher killing-out proportion and higher carcass daily gains, without changes in performance and carcass parameters evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat composition is an important aspect on evaluation of sensory and nutritional quality of the product. This work had the objective of evaluating tissue composition and fatty acids profile of loin lambs weaned at 42 days of mean age and finished on ryegrass pasture with levels (0%; 1% and 2% of BW; ad libitum) of daily concentrate supplementation. The experiment was allocated in randomized blocks design with three replications. Lambs were slaughtered when individual live weight reached 32kg. Tissue composition was determined in right loin and left loin was used for fatty acids profile analyses. Analysis of variance and regression were performed by using SAS (2001). The concentrate supplementation of lambs finished on pasture did not affect (P>0.05) muscle and bone development, however, promoted linear increase on intermuscular and total fat. Levels of supplementation did not affect (P>0.05) the amount and percentage of each fatty acids in lambs meat. The concentrate supplementation of weaned lambs finished on ryegrass pastures increased fat covering on carcass without changing meat quality to human feeding considering fatty acids profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of ryegrass residues on the soil in rice irrigated fields can improve the physical, chemical and biological soil properties. It can also accelerate the redox reaction during the soil flooding, allowing a higher availability of nutrients to the plants, which responds with a higher growing and nutrient absorptions. The objectives of this research are to quantify the nutrient absorptions, the rice crop growing, and to determine the concentration of nutrients in the soil solution on a flooding Albaqualf soil. For this, increasing doses of ryegrass residues were applied in the soil surface. A greenhouse experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with six doses of ryegrass residues (0.0; 1.25; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5 and 10.0Mg ha-1) applied to the soil surface. Cultivar 'BRS 7 Taim' pre-germinated seeds were sown in plastic pots. The soil in the pots was flooded 15 days after this procedure and plants were hept in this condition for an additional 45 days. In the rice plants were evaluated the dry matter weight of the shoots and the following nutrients: N, K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. In the soil solution were evaluated the redox potential (Eh), pH, and the concentration of Mn, Fe, K, Ca, Mg. Results show that the addition of increasing doses of ryegrass residues in the flooded soil surface until 10Mg ha -1 strengthened the soil redox reaction process increasing the concentration of Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg and K in the soil solution. It also increased the K and Fe contents in the aerial part of rice plants as well increased their dry matter weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean yield and the suppressive effect of winter cover crops on summer weeds. The effect of the winter cover crops rye, oat, ryegrass, vetch and fodder radish (and their mixtures) in no-tillage systems was investigated on soil cover, cover crop biomass and summer weed biomass during the critical competition stage with common bean. Bean yield was also evaluated. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks and four repetitions. The highest soil cover during winter was observed in the treatments rye + vetch, rye + vetch + fodder radish and oat + vetch. The highest values of cover crops biomass production were observed in the treatments rye + vetch + fodder radish. Weed suppression was higher in the ryegrass monoculture and in the rye + vetch + fodder radish association, and there was no correlation between cover crop biomass and summer weed suppression; the best bean yields were achieved with the following treatments: ryegrass in monoculture, oat in monoculture and rye + vetch, producing 1,950, 1,730 e 1,790 kg ha-1 respectively. The monocultures of ryegrass and oat showed the lowest costs with seeds and the highest economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate lower base temperature Tb of three diploid (Comum, Fepagro São Gabriel, and LE 284 and two tetraploid (Avance and INIA Titán) ryegrass genotypes. With the estimated Tb, it was also possible to investigate if these genotypes may have seasonal production, which helps in programming herds feeding schedules. Five sowing dates (11/05, 07/06, 05/07, 09/08 e 01/09/2007) were performed in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Two methods were used to estimate Tb: least deviation method and relative development method. Tb values varied from 7.0 to 8.5°C for diploid genotypes and from 9.0 to 10.6°C for tetraploid genotypes, depending upon the method. Diploid ryegrass germoplasm have no risk of seasonal decrease in forage production, whereas tetraploids, mainly Avance, may have their growth and development decreased from June to August in Santa Maria because of minimum air temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf tissue flow in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was quantified in three grazing intensities. The intensities corresponded to the disappearance of 21.1 ('Low'), 43.3 ('Mean') and 61.0% ('High') of the initial forage mass on each grazing cycle. The experimental animals were ewe lambs and the thermal sum of 313 degree-days determined the interval among grazing. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and four replicates. In intensity 'Low' the highest growth and senescence flows were registered, respectively, 85.6 and 54.6kg ha day-1 of DM. In 'Mean' and 'High' intensities the growth and intake flows were higher in the beginning of pasture utilization and the senescence flow increased with the development of the Italian ryegrass cycle. It is recommended the use of the 43.3% grazing intensity which allowed greater values of intake flow, with mean growth and senescence flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of undegradable protein supplementation to dairy cows grazing Italian ryegrass. Twelve Holstein cows in the mid lactation were used and treatments were 0 (zero) and a mixture (60:40) of ground corn + corn gluten meal (4.0kg cow day-1) evaluated along three periods of fifteen days. Cows were distributed in four groups (two per treatment) and assigned to Italian ryegrass plots submitted to intermittent grazing with a herbage allowance of 24kg of DM cow day-1. Pre-grazing herbage mass (2325kg of DM ha-1) and sward surface height (15.8cm) were similar on plots and crude protein and NDF of ingested forage were 18.9 and 53,0%, respectively. Supplementation did not affect herbage DM intake (mean=8.5kg cow day-1) but, both, total DM intake and metabolisable energy increased 3.0kg and 42MJ cow day-1, respectively. Supplementation increased milk production (4.0 kg.cow.day-1) but did not change protein and fat milk content (32.8 and 29.2g kg-1). At low herbage allowance, supplementation with corn ground meal (22% of crude protein) increase milk production on proportion of 1:1 and studies should be done at conditions of non- limitant herbage allowance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed at evaluating the nutritive value by determining the organic matter (OM), in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD), total digestibility nutrient (TDN), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of four pasture-based system grazed by Holstein cows. The treatments were sod seeding of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium Lam. cv. 'Common') over coastcross (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.,); sod seeding of ryegrass plus white clover (Trifolium repens L., cv. 'Yi') over coastcross ryegrass plus white clover or ryegrass. From May 15th to October 24th, 2006, in five grazing periods, the pregraze herbage mass (PM), botanical and structural compositions and stocking rate (SR) were evaluated. Hand-plucked samples were collected to analyze the nutritive value. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments (pastures) and two replications (paddocks). Differences in PM and SR averages were not detected among treatments. Better results of nutritive value were associated of ryegrass leaf lamina biomass in all pastures. Small differences on nutritive value were observed on sod seeding 'coastcross' systems compared to ryegrass plus white clover or ryegrass pastures. The mean values of OM, IVOMD, TDN, IVDMD, CP and NDF of the pastures were 89.52; 69.50; 60.95; 70.96; 23.03 and 51.87%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body development of beef heifers grazing Italian ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was evaluated. The animals received different alternatives of mineral supplement: associated or not to ionophore addition and the treatments were: 'Common salt': mineralization with sodium chloride; '40P salt': mineralization with mineral salt plus 40g of phosphorus per kilo of product; 40P salt + ionophore: mineralization with 40g of phosphorus plus 2000mg of lasalocid per kg of product. The values of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and Ca and P of the apparently consumed forage, salt intake, body condition and body weight:height relation were similar (P>0.05) between animals receiving 'common salt', '40P salt' and '40P salt+ionophor'. For beef heifers grazing ryegrass pasture without intake restriction, the lasalocid associated to mineral salt provides a greater body weight at twelve months age and a positive financial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study had the objective to evaluate Pampa Corte Model's reliability in predicting beef cattle performance in grazing systems. For this purpose, model's predicted values were compared to available data base of published papers. Correlation coefficients above 90 % were obtained between simulated and real data in all tested alternatives. Model's data base should be enlarged by forage productivity data in different climatic conditions. Mixtures of Italian ryegrass and oat need more studies to obtain qualitative parameters (crude protein degradability and neutral detergent fiber), as well, animal performance in the single pastures of oat or Italian ryegrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]