Effect of liming and regrowth age on the nutritional quality and growth of grass legume association
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/0j0mwb21Keywords:
growth rate, botanical composition, ryegrass, orchardgrass, clovers, crude proteinAbstract
Introduction. In the Colombian highlands, bovine dairy production depends on forage; therefore, it is crucial to develop efficient and sustainable feeding strategies for bovine production systems. Objective. To evaluate the effect of liming and regrowth age on the growth rate and botanical and chemical composition of grass-legume associations during the dry and rainy seasons in the Colombian highlands. Material and methods. The experiment was conducted at the Tibaitatá Research Center of the Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), in Mosquera, Colombia, from January to December 2018. The daily growth rate and the chemical and botanical composition of ten grass-legume associations were measured. The experiment was conducted using a split-split-plot design. Data were analyzed according to climatic periods, and adjusted means were compared using Tukey’s test. Results. Applying 6 t ha-¹ of lime optimized the daily growth rate of grass-legume associations under all evaluation periods (p < 0.05). The grass-legume associations showed a balance between daily growth rate and chemical composition between 35 and 45 days of regrowth age. The inclusion of legumes guaranteed crude protein levels above 20 % in most grass-legume associations and neutral detergent fiber below 50 % (p < 0.05). Certain grass-legume associations exhibited crude protein levels exceeding 20 % at 60 days of regrowth age (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Liming and the inclusion of legumes improved the daily growth rate and crude protein concentration during the evaluated periods, establishing an optimal utilization interval between 35 and 45 days of regrowth age.
Downloads
References
Ariza-Nieto, C., Mayorga, O. L., Mojica, B., Parra, D., & Afanador-Tellez, G. (2018). Use of LOCAL algorithm with near infrared spectroscopy in forage resources for grazing systems in Colombia. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 26(1), 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967033517746900
Avellaneda Avellaneda, Y., Mancipe Muñoz, E. A., & Vargas Martínez, J. de J. (2020). Efecto de la edad de rebrote sobre el desarrollo morfológico y la composición química del pasto kikuyo (Cenchrus clandestinus) en el trópico alto colombiano. CES Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, 15(2), 23-37. https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmvz.15.2.2
Barreto Triana, N. (1999, julio 28-30). La chinche de los pastos: principal problema tecnológico de la ganadería de leche. En Comisión Académica del XXVI Congreso Socolen (Ed.), Memorias, XXVI Congreso de la Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología. Los insectos patrimonio natural y cultural de Colombia XXVI Congreso Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología (pp. 175-188). Editora Guadalupe Ltda. https://www.socolen.org.co/memoriasyresumenes
Boddey, R. M., Rume Casagrande, D., Homem, B. G. C., & Alves, B. J. R. (2020). Forage legumes in grass pasture in tropical Brazil and likely impacts on greenhouse gas emissions: a review. Grass and Forage Science, 75(4), 357-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12498
Caradus, J. R., & Chapman, D. F. (2025). Evaluating pasture forage plant breeding achievements: a review. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 68(6), 1146-1220. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2024.2395370
Carulla, J. E., & Ortega, E. (2016). Sistemas de producción lechera en Colombia: retos y oportunidades. Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal, 24(2), 83-87. https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/2526/945
Castillo, J., Benavides, J., Vargas, J., Avellaneda, Y., & García, G. (2019). Applied research on dairy cattle feeding systems in Colombian high tropics. Revista de Ciencias Agrícolas, 36(2), 108-122. https://doi.org/10.22267/rcia.193602.122
Chen, A., Bryant, R. H., & Edwards, G. R. (2019). Morphology and nutritive value of perennial ryegrass cultivars at different phenological stages. Grass and Forage Science, 74(3), 576-581. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12441
Filip, A., Dinca, N., Stanciu, A. M., & Dunea, D. (2024). Canopy structure and light interception in Dactylis glomerata, Medicago sativa and Trifolium repens: a nexus among biological efficiency and forage production. Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, 47(1), 386-392. https://www.agronomyjournal.usamv.ro/index.php/scientific-papers/current?id=1759
Gere, J. I., Restovich, S. B., Mattera, J., Cattoni, M. I., Ortiz-Chura, A., Posse, G., & Cerón-Cucchi, M. E. (2024). Enteric methane emission from cattle grazing systems with cover crops and legume–grass pasture. Animals, 14(23), Artículo 3535. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233535
González Cárdenas, A. C., Samacá Prieto, H. A., Quintero Leal, L. E., Argüello Cuervo, L. R., Parra Camacho, L. F., Viveros Barrera, J. S., Giraldo Vargas, J. A., Castellanos Cárdenas, J. M., Maluendas Pardo, A. V., Leyva Pinzón, F., Cortés Bello, C. A., León Aristizábal, G. E., Bernal Patiño, J. G., Toro Hincapié, Á. M., Valderrama Salazar, P. A., Gutiérrez Melo, E. D., Romero Schadegg, C. U., Portillo Carrascal, C. Y., Fonseca Osorio, M., … Rodríguez Corrales, J. L. (2022). Plan de ordenamiento productivo para la cadena láctea bovina en Colombia. Unidad de Planificación Rural Agropecuaria. https://upra.gov.co/es-co/planificacion-del-ordenamiento-agropecuario/poa-nacional/pop/pop-lactea
Hajiboland, R., Panda, C. K., Lastochkina, O., Gavassi, M. A., Habermann, G., & Pereira, J. F. (2023). Aluminum toxicity in plants: present and future. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 42, 3967-3999. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-022-10866-0
Hall, M. B., & Mertens, D. R. (2017). A 100-year review: Carbohydrates—characterization, digestion, and utilization. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(12), 10078-10093. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13311
Hearn, C., Egan, M., Lync, M. B., Fleming, C., O’Donovan, M. (2022). Seasonal variation in nutritive and botanical composition properties of multispecies grazing swards over an entire dairy grazing season. Grassland Research, 1(4), 221-233. https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12037
Huang, Y., Sheng, H., Zhou, P., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Remediation of Cd-contaminated acidic paddy fields with four-year consecutive liming. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 188, Artículo 109903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109903
Jezequel, A., Delaby, L., McKay, Z. C., Fleming, C., & Horan, B. (2024). Effect of sward species diversity combined with a reduction in nitrogen fertilizer on the performances of spring-calving grazing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(12), 11104-11116. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25177
Kidd, D., Premaratne, M., Wisdom, J., Nicol, D., & Ryan, M. H. (2023). An agronomic study of legacy effects from annual legume pastures in acid soils. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 209(4), 439-458. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12642
Lemaire, G., & Belanger, G. (2020). Allometries in plants as drivers of forage nutritive value: a review. Agriculture, 10(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10010005
Li, G. D., Conyers, M. K., Refshauge, G., Ataollahi, F., & Hayes, R. C. (2024). Long-term liming changes pasture mineral profile. Scientific Reports, 14, Artículo 3539. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53908-1
Li, Y., Cui, S., Chang, S. X., & Zhang, Q. (2019). Liming effects on soil pH and crop yield depend on lime material type, application method and rate, and crop species: a global meta-analysis. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 19, 1393-1406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-2120-2
Loneragan, J. F., & Snowball, K. (1969). Calcium requirements of plants. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 20(3), 465-478. https://doi.org/10.1071/ar9690465
Mancipe-Muñoz, E. A., Castillo-Sierra, J., Avellaneda-Avellaneda, Y., & Vargas-Martínez, J. J. (2022). Efecto de la frecuencia de cosecha y la aplicación de enmiendas en la productividad de Cenchrus clandestinus Hochst. ex Chiov Morrone. Pastos y Forrajes, 45, 1-12.
Moro Flores, J. P., Filippi, D., Alves, L. A., Pesini, G., de Oliveira, L. B., Rodrigues, G. J., Nabinger, C., Ferreira De Quadros, F. L., & Tiecher, T. (2024). Boosting production of “Campos” natural grasslands through improving soil fertility and overseeding: a meta-analysis [Preprint]. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4724854
Nyfeler, D., Huguenin-Elie, O., Frossard, E., & Lüscher, A. (2024). Effects of legumes and fertiliser on nitrogen balance and nitrate leaching from intact leys and after tilling for subsequent crop. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 360, Artículo 108776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108776
Nyfeler, D., Huguenin-Elie, O., Suter, M., Frossard, E., & Lüscher, A. (2011). Grass–legume mixtures can yield more nitrogen than legume pure stands due to mutual stimulation of nitrogen uptake from symbiotic and non-symbiotic sources. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 140(1-2), 155-163.
Osorno Henao, H. (2012). Mitos y realidades de las cales y enmiendas en Colombia [Tesis de grado, Universidad Nacional de Colombia]. Repositorio institucional UNAL. https://repositorio.unal.edu.co/handle/unal/9810
Parsons, A. J., & Chapman, D. F. (2000). The principles of pasture growth and utilization. En A. Hopkins (Ed.), Grass: its production and utilization. Black Science.
Pereira Neto, J. D., Batista Dubeux Jr, J. C., Ferreira dos Santos, M. V., Da Silva Santos, E. R., Lima Bretas, I., Jaramillo, D. M., Ruiz-Moreno, M., Rodrigues da Cruz, P. J., Dantas Queiroz, L. M., Tembe Oduor, K., & Araujo Bernardini, M. (2024). Herbage responses and animal performance of nitrogen-fertilized grass and grass-legume grazing systems. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 162(1), 77-89. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859624000182
Schon, N. L., Mackay, A. D., Dodd, M., Moss, R. A., Laurenson, G., Taylor, A., & Moorhead, A. (2024). Influence of diverse pasture species and reduced nitrogen fertiliser inputs on soil health on four irrigated Canterbury dairy pastures. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 86, 87-95. https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2024.86.3675
Singh, A. K., Singh, J. B., Singh, R., Kantwa, S. R., Jha, P. K., Ahamad, S., Singh, A., Ghosh, A., Prasad, M., Singh, S., Singh, S., & Prasad, P. V. V. (2023). Understanding soil carbon and phosphorus dynamics under grass-legume intercropping in a semi-arid region. Agronomy, 13(7), Artículo 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071692
Singh, S., Tripathi, D. K., Singh, S., Sharma, S., Dubey, N. K., Chauhan, D. K., & Vaculík, M. (2017). Toxicity of aluminium on various levels of plant cells and organism: a review. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 137, 177-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2017.01.005
Vallejos-Cacho, R., Vallejos-Fernández, L. A., Alvarez-García, W. Y., Tapia-Acosta, E. A., Saldanha-Odriozola, S., & Quilcate-Pairazaman, C. E. (2024). Sustainability of Lolium multiflorum L. ‘cajamarquino ecotype’, associated with Trifolium repens L., at three cutting frequencies in the Northern Highlands of Peru. Sustainability, 16(16), Artículo 6927. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166927
Van Soest, P. J. (1994). Nutritional ecology of the ruminant (2nd ed.). Cornell University Press.
Vargas Martínez, J. J., Sierra Alarcón, A. M., Mancipe Muñoz, E. A., & Avellaneda Avellaneda, Y. (2018). El Kikuyo, una gramínea presente en los sistemas de rumiantes en trópico alto colombiano. CES Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, 13(2), 137-156. https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmvz.13.2.4
Woodmartin, S., Creighton, P., Boland, T. M., Farrell, L., Claffey, N., & McGovern, F. (2024). The inclusion of companion forages in the diet alongside perennial ryegrass increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility in sheep. Animal, 18(5), Artículo 101150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101150
Zhang, X., Long, Y., Huang, J., & Xia, J. (2019). Molecular mechanisms for coping with Al toxicity in plants. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(7), Artículo 1551. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20071551
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Javier Castillo-Sierra, Yesid Avellaneda-Avellaneda, Juan Carlos Benavides-Cruz, Daniel Ricardo Torres-Cuesta, María Elena Duter-Nisivoccia, Juan de J. Vargas-Martínez (Autor/a)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
1. Proposed policy for open access journals
Authors who publish in this journal accept the following conditions:
a. Authors retain the copyright and assign to the journal the right to the first publication, with the work registered under the attribution, non-commercial and no-derivative license from Creative Commons, which allows third parties to use what has been published as long as they mention the authorship of the work and upon first publication in this journal, the work may not be used for commercial purposes and the publications may not be used to remix, transform or create another work.
b. Authors may enter into additional independent contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the article published in this journal (e.g., including it in an institutional repository or publishing it in a book) provided that they clearly indicate that the work was first published in this journal.
c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to publish their work on the Internet (e.g. on institutional or personal pages) before and during the review and publication process, as it may lead to productive exchanges and faster and wider dissemination of published work (see The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
