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Pasture-based systems are prevalent among small-scale family farms. Many farmers consider that the nutritional value of the plant is more relevant than the canopy structure. This study aimed to analyze the various factors related to plant structure and chemical composition that most influence milk yield per hectare under rotational stocking. The experiment was performed at the Animal Husbandry Experimental Station of the Extreme South of Bahia. Three rotational stocking systems with three forage species [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Tifton 85, Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Xaraés, and Megathyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Mombasa] were evaluated. Nine crossbred Holstein x Gyr cows were allocated to a balanced 3 x 3 Latin square design. The cows were rotated in three pastures every 14 days. The experimental period consisted of seven evaluation cycles of 42 days each. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and multivariate linear regression were the statistical techniques used to evaluate plant structure and morphological characteristics, and animal performance. Xaraés palisadegrass and Mombasa guinea grass were similar for all evaluated characteristics (P > 0.05), whereas Tifton 85 was different from them in terms of structural, morphological, and chemical composition characteristics (P < 0.05). In the PCA, 59.1% of the total variance was explained by components 1 and 2 for the structural and morphological characteristics, and forage chemical composition. Forage structural and morphological variables showed better results in the multivariate linear regression analysis for milk yield per hectare. Structural and morphological characteristics were more correlated with Mombasa guinea grass than Xaraés palisadegrass and Tifton 85. The structural and morphological characteristics of forages were the main factors determining milk yield per hectare in exclusively pasture-based systems with animals of low production.

The objective of this study was to evaluate intake, performance and nutrient digestibility of sheep supplemented with sugarcane ensiled with four levels of calcium oxide (0.0, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4%) and urea (1.5%), on a natural matter basis. Twenty castrated Santa Ines lambs with 24.09 kg average weight were housed in individual 1.5 m² pens, distributed in a completely randomized design. The diet supplied had a roughage:concentrate ratio of 70:30 and the experimental period lasted 77 days, of which 14 days were used for adaptation to the diet and three 21-day periods for data collection. No differences were observed for the average daily intake of dry matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, total carbohydrates, hemicellulose and total digestible nutrients. The treatment with urea showed differences for the intake (kg/day) of crude protein, acid detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates. There was no effect of diets on the digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber or total digestible nutrients, but there was a quadratic effect for total carbohydrates and increasing linear effect for non-fibrous carbohydrates. The calcium intake increased as the levels of calcium oxide in the sugarcane were elevated. The calcium:phosphorus ratio in the silage of calcium oxide was different from the silage with urea and control. No effect was observed for the performance characteristics of sheep. Sugarcane silages with calcium oxide levels of up to 2.4% or with urea do not improve the intake or weight gain of sheep.

Avaliaram-se os teores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P) e magnésio (Mg) na parte aérea do capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum) adubado com nitrogênio e fósforo durante o período de verão/outono. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 × 3, com quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 100, 200 e 300 kg/ha/ano) e três doses de pentóxido de difósforo (P2O5) (0, 50 e 100 kg/ha/ano), com três repetições. Foram realizados três cortes a 40 cm do solo, a cada 35 dias. Após cada corte, foi realizada adubação, aplicando-se o P2O5 de uma só vez no corte de uniformização e o nitrogênio parcelado em três vezes. As doses de nitrogênio não afetaram os teores de magnésio e reduziram os teores de matéria seca, cálcio e fósforo, enquanto a adubação fosfatada aumentou o teor de fósforo. A adubação teve efeito quadrático nos teores de PB, FDN e NDT, melhorando a qualidade da forragem conforme aumentaram as doses, principalmente de nitrogênio. Nas condições edafoclimáticas estudadas, recomenda-se que o capim-tanzânia seja adubado com 300 kg de N/ha e 100 kg de P2O5/ha.It was evaluated in this work the contents of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in the aerial section of the Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum), fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus during the summer and autumn. The experimental design was complete randomized, with a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, and four N rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg/ha/year), and three pentoxide diphosphorus (P2O5) rates (0, 50, and 100 kg/ha/year), with three replicates. Three cuts were made at 40 cm of the soil, every 35 days. After each cut, the fertilization was accomplished, and P2O5 was applied only once on the uniformed cut and N was parceled in three times. Nitrogen rates did not affect contents of magnesium and they reduced contents of dry matter, calcium and phosphorus, while phosphate fertilization increased levels of phosphorus. Fertilization had a quadratic effect on the levels of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients providing a forage of better quality as doses increased, mainly nitrogen doses. In the studied edaphoclimathic conditions, it is recommend fertilization of Tanzania grass with 300 kg of N/ha and 100 kg of P2O5/ha.

Este experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a produção de MS, a relação folha:colmo, o teor de PB e a eficiência de resposta ao nitrogênio da folha e do colmo do capim-braquiária adubado com diferentes doses de nitrogênio e de fósforo durante o verão. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial 4 × 3, composto de quatro doses de nitrogênio (N) (0, 100, 200 e 300 kg/ha/ano), utilizando-se o sulfato de amônio, e três doses de P2O5 (0, 50 e 100 kg/ha/ano), utilizando-se o superfosfato simples. A quantidade de K aplicada foi de 40 kg/ha/ano. Os cortes (a 20 cm do solo) foram realizados em intervalos de 28 dias, totalizando três cortes durante o experimento. Após cada corte, foi realizada adubação, conforme os tratamentos. A adubação nitrogenada afetou a produção de MS, que apresentou valores máximos de 5.345,6 e 4.857,7 kg/ha para folha e colmo, respectivamente. A relação folha:colmo foi maior (1,31) na dose de N de 200 kg/ha, independentemente da dose de fósforo. A adubação nitrogenada teve efeito quadrático sobre o teor de PB das folhas e efeito linear sobre o teor de PB no colmo. A adubação com fósforo, no entanto, não teve efeito sobre essas variáveis. A eficiência de utilização do N teve efeito quadrático quando utilizadas doses crescentes de N. O ponto de máxima foi obtido com 245,3 kg de N, dose que proporcionou 18,84 kg de MS/kg de N.This experiment was conducted to evaluate the DM production, leaf:stem ratio, CP content and leaf and stem efficiency response to nitrogen of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. grass, fertilized with different N and P doses during the summer period. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with three replicates in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement, composed by four N doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha/year), using ammonium sulfate, and three P2O5 doses (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha/year), using super simple phosphate. The K amount applied was 40 kg/ha/year. The cuts (at 20 cm of the soil) were performed every 28 days, in a total of three cuts during the experiment. After each cut, fertilization was accomplished according to the treatment. N fertilization affected DM production, that showed maximum values of 5,345.6 and 4,857.7 kg/ha of leaf and stem, respectively. Leaf:stem ratio was greater (1.31) with 200 kg/ha N dose, independent of the phosphorus dose. N fertilization had quadratic effect on CP content of the leaves and linear effect on CP content of the stem. P fertilization, however, had no effect on these variables. The N efficiency of utilization had quadratic effect when increasing N doses were used. The point of maximum was 245.3 kg of N, dose that provided 18.84 kg of DM/kg of N.

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a composição química da lâmina da folha e do colmo+bainha de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., adubada com doses de nitrogênio e fósforo. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, num esquema fatorial 4 x 3, com quatro doses de nitrogênio (0; 100; 200 e 300kg/ha/ano), e três doses de fósforo (0; 50 e 100kg/ha/ano). O potássio foi aplicado 40 kg/ha/ano. O teor de matéria seca diminuiu à medida que aumentaram as doses de nitrogênio. O teor de nitrogênio aumentou com o aumento das doses de nitrogênio. Os percentuais de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) das lâminas foliares e do colmo+bainha diminuíram com o aumento das doses de nitrogênio. A concentração de fósforo na lâmina da folha e no colmo+bainha diminuiu à medida que aumentaram as doses de nitrogênio, apresentando efeito linear e quadrático. A concentração de cálcio na lâmina foliar e colmo+bainha apresentou efeito quadrático e a concentração de magnésio na lâmina foliar aumentou com as doses de nitrogênio. A adubação com doses de nitrogênio altera a composição bromatológica do capim Braquiaria decumbens, e a adubação fosfatada não influenciou a composição química-bromatológica. O aumento das doses de N é um fator preponderante na redução dos teores de FDN e FDA na lâmina da folha e no colmo+bainha.The experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of the leaf blade and stem + sheath of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus. The completely randomized design was used, with three repetitions, in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with four doses of nitrogen (0; 100; 200 and 300kg/ha/year), and three doses of phosphorus (0; 50 and 100kg/ha/year). The potassium was applied 40kg/ha/year. The dry matter content decreased as nitrogen levels increased. The nitrogen content increased with increasing doses of nitrogen. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) percentages of leaf and stem + sheath decreased with increasing of nitrogen doses. The phosphorus concentration in the leaf blade and stem + sheath decreased as increased nitrogen levels, with linear and quadratic effect. The calcium concentration in the leaf and stem + sheath showed a quadratic effect and the concentration of magnesium in the leaf blade increased with the nitrogen. The levels of nitrogen fertilization alters the chemical composition of Brachiaria decumbens grass, and the phosphorus did not influence the chemical composition. Increasing doses of N is a major factor in reducing the NDF and ADF levels in leaf blade and stem + sheath.

We evaluated the ingestive behavior of sheep fed sugar cane ensiled with urea or calcium oxide. We used 20 Santa Ines castrated lambs, distributed into a completely randomized design, housed in individual boxes. We used four treatments with calcium oxide (0.0, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4%) and urea (1.5%), both on natural materials. No difference was observed for intake in kg of DM and NDF/day. It was found that the feed in minutes/day and minute/kg of DM and NDF feeding and rumination were similar. There was a linear effect for chewing in hours/day and for resting in minutes/day, among doses of calcium oxide. The efficiency of feeding and rumination (g DM and NDF/hour) presented no significant effect. There was no difference in feeding, rumination and resting, number of periods/day, and feeding and rumination, for a period of time spent (minutes). However, there was increased linear effect for resting. The average intake/feeding period in kg DM and NDF did not show difference. Sugar cane silage with calcium oxide or urea provided to sheep does not affect the periods of feeding and rumination of the animals, as well as it decreases rumination and chewing and increases resting.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição químico-bromatológica e a digestibilidade in vitro do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, submetido à amonização com uréia. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro doses de uréia, adicionadas ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, e adição de 1,2% de soja como fonte de urease. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. O bagaço foi armazenado em silos de PVC com capacidade para 5,3 L, que foram abertos depois de 110 dias de amonização. Com a adição das doses de uréia ao bagaço, houve aumento linear nos teores de proteína bruta. Os teores de fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose, celulose, lignina e carboidratos totais diminuíram, enquanto os teores de nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido, nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente neutro, carboidratos não fibrosos, nitrogênio amoniacal e pH aumentaram, significativamente, com a adição de uréia. Nas doses avaliadas, a uréia adicionada ao bagaço promove aumento no conteúdo dos compostos nitrogenados, diminuição dos componentes fibrosos e aumenta a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca. Estimada pela equação de regressão, a adição de 2,62% de uréia ao bagaço de cana fornece o teor mínimo de proteína bruta para o bom funcionamento do rúmen.The objective this experiment was to evaluate chemical-bromatologic composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of sugarcane bagasse submitted to ammonization with urea. The treatments were four urea dose added to the sugarcane bagasse and addition of 1.2% (DM basis) of soybean as urease source. The experimental design utilized was a completely randomized. The bagasse was stored in PVC silos with 5.3 L capacity, which were opened after 110 days of ammonization. With the urea dose addition to the bagasse, crude protein levels increased linearly. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and total carbohydrates levels decreased, while the acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, nonfibrous carbohydrates, ammonia nitrogen levels and pH increased significantly with urea addition. At evaluated dose, the urea added to bagasse provides increase in nitrogen compounds content, decrease of fiber compounds, and increases the in vitro dry matter digestibility. Estimated by regression equation, the addition of 2.62% urea to sugarcane bagasse provides the minimum crude protein level to good functioning of the rumen.