Study of the morphogenetic variables of a pasture of Chloris gayana cv. Épica INTA-Pemán, in a silvopastoral system versus a pastoral system.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53588/alpa.340105Keywords:
Grasses, RadiationAbstract
Measurements of morphogenetic variables are fundamental tools for understanding the dynamics and structure of forages, as well as for estimating their productivity. The study aimed to evaluate the morphogenetic variables leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf emergence rate (LER), and leaf half-life (LHL) of the C4 grass Chloris gayana cv. Épica INTA Pemán in two production systems: silvopastoral (SSP) and pastoral (SP), in order to analyze how the presence of trees affects growth dynamics. The trial was conducted at the Animal Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Chaco (INTA, Tucumán, Argentina), using a completely randomized design with repeated measurements over time. Data were recorded for individual tillers under different light conditions, and morphogenetic variables were calculated based on accumulated thermal time (°Cd). The results showed significant differences only in TEF (p < 0.0001), which was 54% higher in SSP than in SP, while TAF, phyllochron, VMF, and the number of green leaves per tiller did not vary. The leaf area index (LAI) and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR) also did not differ significantly, although radiation use efficiency (RUE) was 1.88 times higher in the SP. These results indicate that the environment under tree cover promoted compensatory leaf elongation in response to lower light levels, without affecting the frequency of occurrence or longevity of the leaves, but reducing the conversion of light energy into biomass.Downloads
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