Performance of recently introduced perennial grasses in south-center Brazil

Abstract

Dry matter production of fourteen recently introduced perennial grasses was compared with that of pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens) and of "Taiwan A-24" (Digitaria pentzii) in cutting trials at the Matão Training Center of the IRI Research Institute in the State of São Paulo. Each grass was evaluated at two soil fertility levels on a red latosol. Brachiaria decumbens (IRI 562) was the outstanding grass with respect to dry matter yield over a two year period. Its yield was significantly higher than that of any of the other grasses, at both high and low fertilizer levels. Another Brachiaria species, IRI 409, and various other Digitaria species were superior to pangolagrass and to "Taiwan A-24". Additional research on animal acceptability, nutritive value, and performance under grazing is necessary for a better evaluation of this new germsplasm as promising contributions to pasture improvement in South-Central Brazil.