Evaluation of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) under grazing with nitrogen levels

Abstract

A grazing experiment was conducted at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, on pearl millet cv. Comum (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Lecke) pasture subjected to nitrogen levels (0, 150 and 300 kg/ha of nitrogen), on a complete randomized block design, with three replications, from 12/7/91 to 4103/92, with beef steers. A continuous grazing system was used, with stocking rate adjustements to maintain the levels of forage to offer 10 kg of dry matter (DM) per 100 kg of live weight/day, corresponding to a 10% grazing pressure, that characterized an average: residue of 3,168 kg DM/ha. DM production was 6,272, 12,175, 15,578 kg/ha, and crude protein (CP) content 6.9, 12.2, and 14.3% for 0, 150 and 300 kg N/ha, respectively. The DM accumulation rate, DM production and CP content showed a positive linear relation with the nitrogen levels, denoting the high forage production potential of pearl millet.