Morphogenic, structural characteristics and population stability index of ryegrass tillers submitted to stocking methods

[Características morfogênicas, estruturais e índice de estabilidade populacional de perfilhos de azevém submetidos a métodos de lotação]

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the morphogenic and structural characteristics and the population stability index of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) tillers when the pasture was submitted to two stocking methods during grazing cycles. The experimental design was a complete randomized block, with repeated measurements over time (n=6 cycles), two treatments (stocking methods) and three area replicates. In the continuous stocking method, the highest population density of tillers was observed. The highest tiller weight occurred in the rotational stocking method. The morphogenic variables and the other structural variables were not altered by the stocking methods and showed differences during the grazing cycles. The tiller population stability index was similar in the two pasture management strategies, and both can be used for ryegrass management considering this parameter.

Keywords:
tiller of stability; Lolium multiflorum Lam; continuous stocking; rotational stocking