Leaf anatomy of 'Marandu' grass cultivated in plant arrangements in agrosilvopastoral systems

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different arrangements of eucalyptus plants on the morphoanatomical characteristics of leaf blades of 'Marandu' grass [(Urochloa brizantha (Syn. Brachiaria brizantha)] plants cultivated in agrosilvopastoral systems. The experiment was set in field conditions in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, in which the plots were represented by planting spacings of eucalyptus (12x2 and 12x4 m), and the subplots, by the distance between 'Marandu' grass and eucalyptus rows (6, 4, and 2 m). A control was added, composed by 'Marandu' grass cultivated in full sun. Variables of the leaf anatomy of 'Marandu' grass were evaluated for shading interference by trees. The distance of 'Marandu' grass plants from the eucalyptus lines interfered with the leaf blade anatomy of the forage, and the highest modifications occurred in linear measures and tissue proportions in the arrangements with the highest eucalyptus density. The shading interference of eucalyptus on the anatomical characteristics of leaf blades of 'Marandu' grass depends on the adopted arrangement. This occurs due to the grass adaptation to the low-light incidence, with a consequent reduction in its physiological activity and growth.