Leaf area index, light extinction coefficient and herbage accumulation in Cynodon spp. swards under continuous stocking management

Abstract

Leaf area index, light extinction coefficient and herbage accumulation were evaluated in three Cynodon spp. cultivars (Tifton 85, Florakirk and Coastcross) submitted to four grazing intensities (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm) imposed by sheep under a continuous stocking management. The experimental design was a complete randomized blocks with four replications, with treatments in a split plot arrangement. Grass cultivars were allocated to plots and grazing intensities to subplots. The largest values of LAI were observed for Tifton 85. Light extinction in the sward was a function of grass cultivar, time of the year and phenological state of pasture plants. Florakirk presented the highest values of light extinction coefficient (k), but k was higher for lower grazing intensities. No differences were observed in herbage accumulation rates among the grass plants studied.