Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), utilized by female lambs and managed with different forage masses (FM) were studied. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two area replications and three treatments, consisting of forage masses: "High", "Mean" and "Low", corresponding to 1,800-2,000; 1,400-1,600 and 1,000-1,200kg ha-1 of dry matter (DM), respectively. The grazing method was continuous with variable stocking rate. Data were subjected to correlation analysis and polynomial regression. Pseudo stem's height and length of the intact and defoliated leaf blades and number of senescent leaves of Italian ryegrass increased linearly with the increase of forage mass. Number of green leaves was adjusted to the quadratic regression model, number of leaves in elongation and tiller population density did not adjust to any regression model. Management of Italian ryegrass with forage masses between 1,100 and 1,800kg ha-1of DM did not cause changes in its morphogenetic characteristics, but causes differences in the structural characteristics of the canopy. When managed with 1,460kg ha-1of DM, tillers of Italian ryegrass maintain greater number of green leaves. Meanwhile, when managed with 1,800kg ha-1of DM it has a higher number of leaf blades in senescence, and leaves with greater length.
continuous grazing; female lambs; Lolium multiflorum Lam.; marked tillers
