Livestock Performance in Warm‐Climate Silvopastures Using Tree Legumes

• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2016.03.0180
• Publication Date: 2016-06-24T16:01:13Z
• Authors: Suellen B. de M. ...; Alexandre C. L. d...; José C. B. Dubeux; Mércia V. F. dos ...; Mario de A. Lira; João T. C. Oliveira; Valéria X. O. Apo...
• Keywords: Monoculture; Brachiaria; Gliricidia; Beef Cattle

Tree legumes are a viable option to increase ecosystem services provided by warm‐climate grasslands. Benefits of using tree in silvopasture systems (SPS) include the provision shade for livestock, biological N 2 fixation, and C sequestration. This study assessed cattle performance pasture characteristics signalgrass ( Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) pastures monoculture or SPS. The following treatments were assessed: (i) signalgrass/sabiá Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.), (ii) signalgrass/gliricidia [ Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.], (iii) monoculture. Crossbred steers managed under continuous stocking variable rates. Response variables included herbage mass, allowance, rate, average daily gain (ADG), per area (GPA), vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), crude protein (CP). Total mass (5091 kg DM ha −1 ) was greater P ≤ 0.05) compared with SPS (3964 ). Green however, (2237 (1934 Herbage IVDMD, CP, ADG, GPA did not differ among treatments, values 2.9 green (DM) live weight; 633 g , 55 1.9 animal units (AU) (1 AU = 450 weight); 0.57 d ; 30 28 respectively. During establishment phase (3 yr), can produce as much livestock monoculture, providing other marketable products, increasing land use efficiency. Core Ideas Livestock production similar Silvopasture additional grass adds biologically fixed provide services. Trees compete herbaceous vegetation might reduce long term.