Production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after sorghum intercropping in pasture recovery in an integrated crop-livestock system

Abstract

To improve the conditions of livestock areas, integrated crop-livestock systems have proven to be a viable and sustainable alternative for pasture recovery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after intercropping with sorghum in the pasture recovery through an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was conducted in an experimental design in a randomized block design with four replicates in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with four forage systems: Paiaguas palisadegrass in monocropped, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in rows, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in interrow, and sorghum intercropped with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass, evaluated in four seasons of the year (winter, spring, summer, and fall).The forage system did not influence the DM production, nutritive value, stocking rate and weight gain, being that all forms of sowing can be indicated due to the good development of Paiaguas palisadegrass after the sorghum harvest, showing several alternatives for implantation of the crops in intercropping. The summer and fall seasons provided higher forage availability and nutritive value, resulting in greater weight gain and better performance per animal per area. Paiaguas palisadegrass has good potential in pasture formation, recovery, and/or renewal, showing resistance to the dry period of the year (winter and fall).