Keywords
phenological stage
star grass
cynodon nlemfuensis
producción de materia seca
estado fenológico
pasto estrella
cynodon nlemfuensis
How to Cite
Abstract
Dry matter yield and phenology of african star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis)- based pastures were evaluated in 4 commercial dairy farms nearby to the region of Monteverde (latitude 10°20’ N, longitude 84°50’ W, 800 to 1200 masl) every other month during a two-year period. Average dry matter yield and phenological stage were 4484 kg.ha-1.grazing-1 cycle and 7.36 green leaves per regrowth, respectively. Botanical composition of pastures was 86.81% african star grass, 2.52% other grasses, 1.39% legumes, 1.53% weeds and 7.75% senescent material. Dry matter availability was higher in farms with Pacific Ocean climatic influence and decreased in the rainiest months. The phenological stage of the african star grass is between 6 to 8 green leaves per regrowth, allowing for an adequate recovery of the plant, and decreased in months with excessive precipitation.References
ANDRADE M. 2006. Evaluación de técnicas de manejo para mejorar la utilización del pasto kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. Ex Chiov) en la producción de ganado lechero en Costa Rica. Tesis de licenciatura, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica 225 p.
BERTSCH F. 1998. La fertilidad de los suelos y su manejo. 1ª ed. San José, Costa Rica. Asociación Costarricense de la Ciencia del Suelo. 157 p.
BURTON G.W. 1993. African grasses, pp. 294-298. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). New crops. Wiley, New York.
COOK B.G., PENGELLY B.C., BROWN S.D., DONNELLY J.L., EAGLES D.A., FRANCO M.A., HANSON J., MULLEN B.F., PARTRIDGE I.J., PETERS M., SCHULTZE R. 2005. Tropical Forages: an interactive selection tool. [CD-ROM]. CSIRO, DPI&F (Qld), CIAT and ILRI, Brisbane, Australia.
DONAGHY D., FULKERSON B. 2001. Principles for developing an effective grazing management system for ryegrass-based pastures. Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, Burnie, Tasmania. 10 p.
ESQUEDA V.A., TOSQUY O.H. 2007. Efectividad de métodos de control de malezas en la producción de forraje del pasto pangola (Digitaria decumbens). Agronomía Mesoamericana 18(1):01-10.
FULKERSON W.J., DONAGHY D.J. 2001. Plant-soluble carbohydrate reserves and senescence key criteria for developing an effective grazing management system for ryegrass-based pastures: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41:261-275.
HARGREAVES J.N.G., KERR J.D. 1978. Botanal: a comprehensive sampling and computing procedure for estimating pasture yield and composition. II. Computational package. Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, Tropical Agronomy, CSIRO, Australia. Technical Memorandum Nº. 9. 88 p.
JANZEN D.H. 1991. Historia natural de Costa Rica. 1ª ed. Editorial de la UCR. San José, Costa Rica. 822 p.
JOHNSON C.R., REILING B.A., MISLEVY P., HALL M.B. 2001. Effects of nitrogen fertilization and harvest date on yield, digestibility, fiber, and protein fractions of tropical grasses. Journal of Animal Science 79:2439-2448.
LASCANO C.E. 2002. Caracterización de las pasturas para maximizar producción animal. Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal 10(2):126-132.
MANDEBVU P., WEST J.W., HILL G.M., GATES R.N., HATFIELD R.D., MULLINIX B.G., PARKS A.H., CAUDLE A.B. 1999. Caparison of Tifton 85 and Coastal Bermudagrasses for Yield, Nutrient Traits, Intake, and Digestion by Growing Beef Steers. Journal of Animal Science 77:1572-1586.
McCUTCHEON J. 2011. Using Pasture Measurement to Improve Your Management. The Ohio State University Extension. Ohio, USA. Consultado el 3/10/2012. Disponible en http://ohioline.osu.edu/anrfact/pdf/11-HCS-868.pdf
MISLEVY P. 2002. Stargrass. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. 4 p.
PACHECO R., GONZALEZ M.A., BRICEÑO J.A. 1986. Efecto del fraccionamiento de la fertilización nitrogenada en la lixiviación de nitrato, potasio, calcio y magnesio en un Andept de Costa Rica. Agronomía Costarricense 10(1/2):129-138.
PANT H.K., MISLEVY P., RECHCIGL J.E. 2004. Effect of Phosphorus and Potassium on Forage Nutritive Value and Quantity: Environmental Implications. Agronomy Journal 96:1299-1305.
RETANA J. 2012. Climatología de la región de Monteverde, Puntarenas. Registro histórico 1956-2011. Bases de datos del Instituto Meteorológico Nacional s.p.
SALAZAR S. 2007. Disponibilidad de biomasa y valor nutricional del pasto estrella africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis) en el distrito de Quesada, cantón de San Carlos. Tesis de licenciatura, Universidad de Costa Rica. Costa Rica. 96 p.
SMITH J., VALENZUELA H. 2002. Stargrass. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA. 3 p.
VILLALOBOS L. 2012. Fenología, producción y valor nutritivo del pasto alpiste (Phalaris arundinacea) en la zona alta lechera de Costa Rica. Agronomía Costarricense 36(1):25-37.
VILLALOBOS L., SÁNCHEZ J.M. 2010. Evaluación agronómica y nutricional del pasto ryegrass perenne tetraploide (Lolium perenne) producido en lecherías de las zonas altas de Costa Rica. I. Producción de biomasa y fenología. Agronomía Costarricense 34(1):31-42.
VILLARREAL M. 1992. Evaluación comparativa de ratana (Ischaemum ciliare) como especie forrajera. Agronomía Costarricense 16(1):37-44.
WAITE R.B. 1994. The application of visual estimation procedures for monitoring pasture yield and composition in exclosures and small plots. Tropical Grasslands 28:38-42.