The objective of this trial was to evaluate two intervals of grazing on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) pasture. It was tested a variable grazing interval when it was observed an interception of 95% of active photosynthetic radiation by sward, and a 26-day fixed grazing interval. The experimental design was a complete randomized design with time repeated measurements. The interval of grazing, pre and post grazing sward heights, sward interception of active photosynthetic radiation and leaf area index were greater when the fixed pasture interval was applied. There was no effect of intervals of grazing on forage mass, leaf mass and stem mass in pre- or post-grazing neither for sward volumetric density in pre grazing. Dead material mass was lower for variable grazing interval than in fixzed grazing for both pre and post grazing. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents were lower in the grazing managed in the variable interval than in the fixed grazing interval. The use of variable grazing interval intervals that promoted reduction in resting time of the pasture resulted in positive effects on forage quality.
chemical composition; interval between grazing; light interception; pasture management; Pennisetum purpureum; rotational grazing
