Agronomic evaluation of Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã in mixtures with tropical forage legumes

Abstract

The agronomic performance of Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã grown in pure stands and in mixtures with five tropical forage legumes (Desmodium ovalifolium CIAT-350, Centrosema acutifolium CIAT-5277 e CIAT-5112, C. pubescens CIAT-438 and Pueraria phaseoloides CIAT-9900) were assessed in cutting experiment carried out at the Experimental Station of Ouro Preto d'Oeste, Rondônia, Brazil. The mixtures were more efficient in dry matter production as compared to the grass alone. The association with C. acutifolium CIAT-5277 produced a higher dry matter yield, similar (P > 0.05) to that observed on the grass - P. phaseoloides mixture. The grass in association with legumes showed higher crude protein contents than the grass in pure stands. Apparent nitrogen fixation and transference were higher for C. acutifolium CIAT-5277, CIAT-5112 and P. phaseoloides.