Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the characteristics of the pasture and the behavior of grazing goats under continuous stocking in a silvopastoral system (SPS) of Andropogon grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Planaltina) in comparison to its monoculture (MC). The treatments consisted of two cropping systems: monoculture of Andropogon grass and silvopastoral system—SPS of native trees mixed with Andropogon grass, evaluated in five grazing periods using goats (February, March, April, May and June). Pasture height, leaf/stem ratio and the dry mass of forage, leaf, stem and dead material were evaluated. The grazing behavior of the goats was also assessed. Significant effect of interaction was observed (p < 0.05) on pasture height and on the dead material dry mass yield of the pasture among cropping systems and grazing periods. There was a significant effect of the different systems (p < 0.05) on the yield of forage dry matter, leaf dry matter and leaf/stem ratio. The SPS presented superior grazing time (p = 0.01), with an average of 389.0 min. Regarding rumination and moving times, there was no difference between cropping systems and grazing periods (p > 0.05). The Andropogon grass has the potential to be used in SPS with grazing goats under continuous stocking, positively affecting the pasture and animal behavior.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen VG, Batello C, Berretta EJ et al (2011) An international terminology for grazing lands and grazing animals. Grass Forage Sci Oxford 66(1):2–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00780.x
Alvarenga CAF, Euclides VBP, Montagner DB et al (2020) Animal performance and sward characteristics of Mombaça guineagrass pastures subjected to grazing frequencies. Trop Grass 8(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.17138/tgft(8)1-10
Amaral JA, Pagliarini MK, Haga KI et al (2019) Luminosity levels and substrates composition on Bermuda Grass development. Ornam Hortic 25(2):168–179. https://doi.org/10.14295/oh.v25i2.1454
Aquino RS, Lemos CG, Alencar CA et al (2016) A realidade da caprinocultura e ovinacultura no semiárido brasileiro: um retrato do sertão do Araripe, Pernambuco. Publicações Em Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 10(4):271–281. https://doi.org/10.22256/pubvet.v10n4.271-281
Araújo DLC, Oliveira ME, Lopes JB et al (2015) Desempenho e comportamento de caprinos em pastagem de capim-andropógon sob diferentes ofertas de forragem. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 36(3), 2301–2316. doi: https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n3Supl1p2301
Araújo RAD, Neiva JNM, Rogério MCP et al (2019) Ingestive behavior and physiological parameters of lactating goats fed diets containing detoxified castor cake. Biol Rhythm Res 50:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1594120
Askar AR, Gipson TA, Puchala R et al (2013) Effects of stocking rate and physiological state of meat goats grazing grass/forb pastures on forage intake, selection, and digestion, grazing behavior, and performance. Livest Sci 154:82–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.02.015
Bahamonde HA, Peri PL, Alvarez R et al (2012) Litter decomposition and nutrients dynamics in Nothofagus antarctica forests under silvopastoral use in Southern Patagonia. Agrofor Syst 84:345–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9479-7
Bauer MO, Pacheco LPA, Chichorro JF et al (2011) Produção e características estruturais de cinco forrageiras do gênero Brachiaria sob intensidades de cortes intermitentes. Ciência Animal Brasileira 12(1):17–25. https://doi.org/10.5216/cab.v12i1.4817
Bernardino FS, Tonucci RG, Garcia R et al (2011) Produção de forragem e desempenho de novilhos de corte em um sistema silvipastoril: efeito de doses de nitrogênio e oferta de forragem. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia 40(7):1412–1419. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982011000700003
Broom DM, Galindo FA, Murgueitio E (2013) Sustainable, efficient livestock production with high biodiversity and good welfare for animals. Proc R Soc 280(1771):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2025
Broom DE (2017) Components of sustainable animal production and the use of silvopastoral systems. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia 46(8):683–688. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-92902017000800009
Calzada-Marin JM, Enríquez QJF, Hernández GA et al (2014) Growth analysis of maralfalfa grass (Pennisetum sp.) in a warm humid climate. Revista. Mexicana De Ciências Pecuarias 5(2):247–260
Charpentier A, Caillat H, Gastal F, Delagarde R (2019) Intake, milk production and grazing behaviour responses of strip-grazing dairy goats to daily access time to pasture and to dehydrated lucerne supplementation. Livest Sci 229:90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.09.019
Costa JV, Oliveira ME, Moura RMAS et al (2015) Comportamento em pastejo e ingestivo de caprinos em sistema silvipastoril. Revista Ciência Agronômica 46(4):865–872. https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20150075
Costa CS, Rodrigues RC, Santos FNS et al (2017) Structural characteristics and chemical composition of andropogon grass pasture managed under different defoliation intensities and rest periods. Rev Bras Saúde Prod Anim 18(4):492–504. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1519-99402017000400001
Cuartas CC, Naranjo RJ, Tarazona MA et al (2014) Contribution of intensive silvopastoral systems to animal performance and to adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Revista Colombiana Ciencia Pecuaria 27(2):76–94
Devkota NR, Kemp PD, Hodgson J et al (2009) Relationship between tree canopy height and the production of pasture species in a silvopastoral system based on alder trees. Agrofor Syst 76:363–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9192-8
Duarte CFD, Prochera DL, Paiva LM et al (2019) Morfogênese de braquiárias sob estresse hídrico. Arquivo Brasileiro De Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 71(5):1669–1676. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-10844
Emperaire L (1989) Vegetation et gestion des ressources naturelles dans la caatinga du sud-est du Piauí (Bresil). Doctorat d'Etat es Sciences Naturelles, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie. Paris
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (2006) Centro Nacional de Pesquisa do Solo, Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos, Embrapa Solos, (2da ed.). Rio de Janeiro
Fernandes A (1982) A vegetação do Piauí. In 32a Congresso Nacional de Botânica, 32, 313–318
Gardner AL (1986) Técnicas de pesquisa em pastagens aplicabilidade de resultados em sistemas de produção, Instituto Interamericano de Cooperação para a Agricultura, Embrapa. Brasília
Garcez BS, Alves AA, Araújo DLC et al (2019) Performance and grazing behavior of growing goats supplemented with palm tree fruit. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia 48:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12002
Guerra CRSB, Moraes MLT, Recco CRSB et al (2016) Forage yield and nutritive value of naturally growing Brachiaria decumbens as undergrowth to an aroeira tree stand in a silvopasture system. Afr J Agric Res 11(40):3922–3928. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11529
Gómez S, Guenni O, Guenni LB (2012) Growth, leaf photosynthesis and canopy light use efficiency under differing irradiance and soil N supplies in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. Grass Forage Sci 68(3):395–407. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12002
Gonçalves EN, Carvalho PCF, Kunrath TR et al (2009) Relações planta-animal em ambiente pastoril heterogêneo: processo de ingestão de forragem. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia 38(9):1655–1662. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982009000900003
Habermann E, Oliveira EADD, Contin DR et al (2019) Warming and water deficit impact leaf photosynthesis and decrease forage quality and digestibility of a C4 tropical grass. Physiol Plant 165(2):383–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12891
Hughes GP, Reid D (1951) Studies on the behavior of cattle and sheep in relation to utilization of grass. J Agric Sci 41(1):350–355. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600049534
Joseph L, Schmitt Filho A, Sinisgalli P et al (2019) Sistemas silvipastoris e serviços ecossistémicos: a visão dos produtores de leite do Sul do Brasil. Revista De Ciências Agrárias 42(3):261–270. https://doi.org/10.19084/rca.17116
Jose S, Walter D, Mohan Kumar B (2019) Ecological considerations in sustainable silvopasture design and management. Agroforest Syst 93:317–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-0065-2
Lacerda MSB, Alves AA, Oliveira ME et al (2009) Composição bromatológica e produtividade do capim andropógon em diferentes idades de rebrota em sistema silvipastoril. Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences 31(2):123–129. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v31i2.4549
Macedo EO, Oliveira ME, Silva PC et al (2015) Consumo e comportamento ingestivo de cabras em pasto de capim-marandu. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 36(3), 2175–2184. doi: https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n3Supl1p2175
Magalhães JA, Carneiro MSS, Andrade AC et al (2012) Nitrogen use efficiency, yield and composition of andropogon-grass under irrigation and fertilization. Archivos De Zootecnia 61(236):577–588
Mkhize NR, Heitköniga IMA, Scogings PF et al (2015) Condensed tannins reduce browsing and increase grazing time of free-ranging goats in semi-arid savannas. Appl Anim Behav Sci 169:33–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.04.012
Murgueitio E, Calle Z, Uribe F, Calle A, Solorio B (2011) Native trees and shrubs for the productive rehabilitation of tropical cattle ranching lands. Forest Ecol Manag 261(10):1654–1663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.09.027
Oliveira FLR, Mota VA, Ramos MS, et al (2013) Comportamento de Andropogon gayanus cv. ‘planaltina’ e Panicum maximum cv. ‘tanzânia’ sob sombreamento. Ciência Rural, 43(2), 348–354. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782013000200026
Oliveira GL, Oliveira ME, Macedo OE (2020) Effect of shading and canopy height on pasture of Andropogon gayanus in silvopastoral system. Agrofor Syst 94:953–962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00458-5
Paciullo DSC, Pires MFA, Aroeira LJM et al (2014) Sward characteristics and performance of dairy cows in organic grass–legume pastures shaded by tropical trees. Animal Agroecol Integr Animals AGRoecosyst 8(8):1264–1271. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114000767
Peri PL, Bahamonde HA, Lencinas MV et al (2016) A review of silvopastoral systems in native forests of Nothofagus antarctica in southern Patagonia, Argentina. Agroforest Syst 90:933–960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9890-6
Poude S, Karki U, Karki Y, Tillman A (2019) Diurnal behavior of Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures planted with warm-season forages. Small Rumin Res 175:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.03.005
Ribeiro AM, Oliveira ME, Carvalho P et al (2012) Canopy characteristics, animal behavior and forage intake by goats grazing on Tanzaniagrass pasture with different heights. Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences 34(4):371–378. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i4.14544
Ribeiro jr GO, Teixeira AM, Velasco FO, et al (2014) Production, Nutritional Quality and In vitro Methane Production from Andropogon gayanus Grass Harvested at Different Maturities and Preserved as Hay or Silage. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Science 27(3):330–341. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2013.13161
Riet-Correa B, Simões SVD, Pereira Filho JM et al (2013) Sistemas produtivos de caprinocultura leiteira no semiárido paraibano: caracterização, principais limitantes e avaliação de estratégias de intervenção. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(3):345–352. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2013000300012
Rodrigues MM, Oliveira ME, Moura RL et al (2013) Forage intake and behavior of goats on Tanzania-grass pasture at two regrowth ages Revista Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences, 35(1), 37-41. doi: https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i1.16035
Santos GR, Mendonça RC, Silva MA, Queiroz LO (2014) Caracterização da caprinocultura na bacia leiteira sergipana. Scientia Plena 10(11):1–11
Santos DC, Júnior RG, Vilela L et al (2016) Forage dry mass accumulation and structural characteristics of Piatã grass in silvopastoral systems in the Brazilian savannah. Agr Ecosyst Environ 233(3):16–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.08.026
Silva DC, Quieroz AC (2002) Análise de alimentos: métodos químicos e biológicos, 3rd edn. UFV, Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Santos MER, Carvalho BHR, Carvalho AN et al (2020) Number and morphology of tiller age groups during summer in Marandu palisadegrass pastures previously used under deferred grazing. Biosci J 36(1):173–182. https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n1a2020-42215
Solorio FJ, Basul SK, Sarabia L et al (2016) The potential of silvopastoral systems for milk and meat organic production in the tropics. Org Farmr Sustain Agric 9:169–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26803-3_8
Sousa LF, Maurício RM, Paciullo DSC et al (2015) Forage intake, feeding behavior and bio-climatological indices of pasture grass, under the influence of trees, in a silvopastoral system. Trop Grassl 3(3):129–141. https://doi.org/10.17138/TGFT(3)129-141
Spigarelli C, Zuliani A, Battini M et al (2020) Welfare assessment on pasture: a review on animal-based measures for ruminants. Animals 10(4):609. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040609
Veras VS, Oliveira ME, Lacerda MSB et al (2010) Produção de biomassa e estrutura do pasto de capim-andropógon em sistema silvipastoril e monocultura. Arquivos Brasileiros De Medicina Veterinária Zootecnia 62(1):200–207. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352010000100027
Viciedo DO, Prado RD, Martinez CA et al (2019) Shortterm warming and water stress affect Panicum maximum Jacq. Stoichiometric homeostasis and biomass production. Sci Total Environ 681:267–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.108
Wan L, Liu K, Wu W (2018) Effect of stocking rate on grazing behaviour and diet selection of goats on cultivated pasture. J Agric Sci 156(7):914–921. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859618000849
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
ERAZ, RLE, and MEO conceived the ideas and designed the methodology; ERAZ, DLCA, JVC, IRS, GSR and DMAB collected the data; RLE, TPDS analyzed the data; RLE, TPDS and MEO led the writing of the manuscript; all authors contributed critically to the drafts and gave final approval for publication.
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zambrano, E.R.A., Edvan, R.L., Oliveira, M.E. et al. Characterization of pasture of Andropogon grass and behavior of grazing goats in a silvopastoral system. Agroforest Syst 95, 1155–1165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00638-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00638-2