Two experiments were carried out to evaluate structural characteristics and crude protein concentration of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu under four rotational stocking rates. During the rainfall period, the studied stocking rates for both pastures were 3, 4, 5, and 6 steers/ha and in the dry period the stocking rates were 2, 3, 4, and 5 steers/ha. In both experiments, elephantgrass cv. Cameroon produced greater total herbage mass and green herbage mass, which decreased with the increase in defoliation as a result of the used stocking rates, mainly during the dry period. For elephantgrass pastures, the increase in stocking rate had a greater negative effect on the green leaf blade dry matter fraction. In the rainfall period, the stocking rates which promoted greater herbage allowance, green herbage mass, and leaf blade fraction were 5 steers/ha and 4 steers/ha for elephantgrass cv. Cameroon and marandugrass, respectively. In the dry period, greater values for these variables were obtained with 4 steers/ha and 3 steers/ha, respectively. Stocking rates did not influence crude protein concentration of the grasses, with leaf blade presenting higher concentration of this nutrient.
Brachiaria brizantha; dry matter; forage allowance; Pennisetum purpureum; residual herbage mass; stocking rate
