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The use of exotic grasses of African origin for pastures in Brazil has been a major advancement in livestock production, but little is known about the responses of these grasses to nitrogen fertilizers associated with shading. In this study, the morphogenetic, structural, and leaf anatomical characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cultivars' Tamani and Quênia were investigated as a function of N dose and shade. Morphogenetic and structural characteristics and leaf anatomy were studied under three shading levels (0, 30, and 50 %) and four N doses (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha-1) to simulate growth in a silvopastoral system. When comparing the cultivars, Quênia was more efficient in terms of phyllochron up to fertilization with 100 kg N ha-1. The leaf senescence rate of Tamani was higher than that of Quênia at the 30 and 50 % shade levels. The total area (TA) occupied by leaf tissues decreased in Quênia as a function of the increase in N fertilization, whereas the TA of Tamani did not change. The thickness of the adaxial epidermis was greater in Quênia (0.68 µm) than in Tamani (0.50 µm) when not fertilized. The area occupied by the mesophyll was greater in both cultivars when they received fertilization equivalent to 300 kg N ha-1. Quênia grass has a smaller phyllochron than Tamani grass, due to the rapid reconstruction of its photosynthetic apparatus, especially when it receives higher levels of nitrogen fertilization. However, Tamani grass has a greater distribution of plant tissues. The mesophyll area is larger in Tamani grass due to the greater presence of chloroplasts, which facilitates digestion by animals. The Tamani modified the leaf anatomical tissues more significantly in relation to shading, whereas the Quênia modified them in relation to N fertilization, which reinforces the suggestion of a more appropriate use of Tamani in silvopastoral systems.

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Little has been studied about microclimate and the thermal comfort during the implementation of silvopastoral systems. This study aimed to evaluate the microclimate and thermal comfort during the implementation of High Biodiversity Silvopastoral System with Nuclei (SPSnu). Three treatments were investigated, SPSnu with 5 and 10% of the pasture area with nuclei, (SPSnu5 and SPSnu10, respectively), and treeless pasture (TLP). Each treatment was subdivided into 4 areas: within the nuclei, around the nuclei, around the nuclei with shade and internuclei. The analyzed variables were soil surface temperature, air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, black globe temperature and the Heat Load Index (HLI) at 20 and 120 cm height. We hypothesized that the wind speed reduction associated with insufficient shade projection typical of the first years of SPSs may interfere in microclimate and thermal comfort during the hot seasons. SPSnu5 and SPSnu10 had a reduction in wind speed of 51.58% and 68.47% respectively when compared to TLP at 20 cm. Soil surface temperature and air temperature at 120 cm were higher for SPSnu than TLP. The same effect was observed for the HLI. At 20 cm, HLI indicated better thermal comfort in TLP than in the SPSnu treatments. The lack of shade projection from young nuclei in conjunction with the decrease of wind speed between the nuclei caused a higher air temperature and HLI in the SPSnu treatments, we called this conditions, windbreak countereffect. Farmers must knowledge this effect when implementing SPSs, and when necessary, mitigate with the proper management decisions.

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The conversion of native vegetation to agricultural areas leads to a natural process of carbon loss but these systems can stabilize in terms of carbon dynamics depending on the management and conversion time, presenting potential to both store and stabilize this carbon in the soil, resulting in lower soil respiration rates. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the effect of converting native Cerrado forest areas to agricultural systems with a forest planted with Eucalyptus camaldulensis and silvopastoral systems on the dynamics of CO2 emission and carbon stock at different soil depths. The experimental sites are located in the Midwest of Brazil, in the coordinates 20°22'31″ S and 51°24'12″ W. Were evaluated soil CO2 emission (FCO2), soil organic carbon, the degree of humification of soil organic matter (HLIFS), soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil chemical and physical attributes. The soil of the area is classified as an Oxisol (Haplic Acrustox). Soil samples were collected at depths of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30, and 0.30-0.40 m. The lowest FCO2 values were found in the silvopastoral system (1.05 µmol m-2 s-1), followed by the native forest (1.65 µmol m-2 s-1) and the eucalyptus system (1.96 µmol m-2 s-1), indicating a 36% reduction in FCO2 compared to the conversion of the native forest to the silvopastoral system and an increase of 19% when converting the native forest to the eucalyptus system. The soil chemical attributes (N, K+, Ca2+, H++Al3+, CEC, and organic carbon) showed a decrease along the profile. The shallowest depths (0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m) presented no differences between systems but the subsequent depths (0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m) had a difference (95% confidence interval), relative to N, Ca2+, H++Al3, CEC, and organic carbon stock (OCS), and the soil under silvopastoral system showed a higher concentration of these attributes than the native forest. The multivariate analysis showed that the eucalyptus and silvopastoral systems did not differ from the forest in the shallowest soil layer but differed from each other. This behavior changed from the second assessed depth (0.10-0.20 m), in which the silvopastoral system stands out, differing both from the eucalyptus system and from the native forest, and this behavior is maintained at the following depths (0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m). OCS, H++Al3, CEC, and nitrogen are strongly related to land use change for silvopastoral system. Regarding the behavior/relationship of attributes as a function of depth, the silvopastoral system contributed to soil carbon accumulation and stability over consecutive years.

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The present study aimed to assess the productive performance, ingestive behavior, and thermal condition of crossbred beef heifers in an integrated livestock-forest (ILF) system with different tree-planting designs. Seventy-two ½ Angus ½ Nellore heifers were divided in three treatments­conventional system (CS) without eucalyptus, integrated livestock system with 187 eucalyptus ha−1 (ILF-1L), and integrated livestock system with 446 eucalyptus ha−1 (ILF-3L)­, in the winter and summer. Total dry mass of forage (TDM), chemical analysis of Marandu palisadegrass, average daily gain (ADG), stocking rate (SR), weight gain per area (WGA), behavior, microclimatic variables, and thermal comfort indexes were evaluated. A higher percentage of crude protein and lower TDM and SR were observed in ILF-1L and ILF-3L, with no differences for ADG and WGA. Ambient temperature, temperature-humidity index, black globe-humidity index, and radiant heat load were better in ILF-1L and ILF-3L. Heifers in ILF-1L and ILF-3L carried out grazing, resting, rumination, and other activities in the shade. In the summer, heifers in ILF-1L and ILF-3L spent less time resting and more time in rumination and performing other activities than those in the CS. In conclusion, the better forage quality in ILF-1L and ILF-3L does not alter the performance of heifers or WGA, despite the decreased TDM and SR. Furthermore, ILF-1L and ILF-3L provide better thermal comfort, and heifers that do not have access to shade decrease their activities as a strategy to reduce the use of energy for thermal regulation process.(AU)

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The Brazilian Amazon has witnessed, in the last decades, an increase in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) inventory, with interesting productivity results. As the Brazilian Amazon contains the main water buffalo population in the Americas, the aim of this work is to review its most relevant production systems and some peculiarities about meat and milk production in this territory. The opening section describes the Amazon Basin, the most common water buffalo breeds, a brief history of the local livestock farming beginning in 1644. Also, it presents how water buffaloes gradually replaced bovine herds, especially where the latter had a lower productive performance. The use of extensive or more intensified models is pointed out and the ecosystems in which buffaloes are raised are detailed since native or cultivated pastures can be used in floodplains or drylands. Buffalo raising is favored in the Amazon due to the climate, soil, genetic variability of forages, animal adaptability, and physical space. Thus, it is clear that buffaloes have a high potential for meat and milk production and are an alternative in the use of altered areas of the Amazon; and, in the recent past, the low profitability of buffalo farming in traditional production systems in the Amazon was the reason which made this activity economically unattractive. Most recent technologies as outdoor confinements and silvopastoral systems are pointed out as more suitable regarding land-use policies, and buffalo farming for meat and milk production fits perfectly in this context, with productivity and beneficial socioeconomic.

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The objective was to determine the structural and nutritive parameters for Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri under a Eucalyptus shading system, in rainy and dry seasons. At the beginning of each season, the treatments (foliar fertilization levels of 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) were applied and evaluated at 28, 56, and 84 growing days. The treatments did not affect significantly (p ≥ 0.05) the evaluated parameters. The systems (shading and full sun) and seasons did not change (p ≥ 0.05) forage and root masses. The leaf crude protein content was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the dry season. Height, leaf mass, stem and dead material, neutral and acid detergent fiber contents, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were affected (p ≤ 0.05) by the system x season. The growing days did not affect (p ≥ 0.05) forage mass. The mass of dead material decreased (p ≤ 0.05) over the evaluated intervals. The other parameters were affected (p ≤ 0.05) by system × growing days. Based on the results, the forage and root masses show that the cv. BRS Zuri is adapted to the shading in the proposed experimental conditions. These masses added to the crude protein content indicate adaptation to low rainfall, inherent to the dry season, while foliar fertilization applied at the beginning of seasons did not affect the structural and nutritive parameters of BRS Zuri grass.(AU)

O objetivo foi determinar os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri sob sistema sombreado por eucalipto, nas estações chuvosa e seca. No começo de cada estação, os tratamentos (níveis de fertilização foliar de 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) foram aplicados e as avaliações realizadas aos 28, 56 e 84 dias de crescimento. Os tratamentos não afetaram significativamente (p ≥ 0.05) os parâmetros avaliados. Os sistemas (sombreado e a pleno sol) e estações não modificaram (p ≥ 0.05) as massas de forragem e de raízes. O conteúdo de proteína bruta foi maior (p ≤ 0.05) na estação seca. Altura, massas de folhas, colmos e material morto, conteúdos de fibra em detergente ácido e neutro, e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foram significativamente afetados (p ≤ 0.05) pela interação sistema x estação. Os dias de crescimento não afetaram (p ≥ 0.05) a massa de forragem. A massa de material morto diminuiu (p ≤ 0.05) com os intervalos de avaliação. Os outros parâmetros foram afetados (p ≤ 0.05) pela interação sistema x dias de crescimento. Baseado nos resultados observados, as massas de forragem e raízes mostram que o cv. BRS Zuri é adaptado ao sombreamento proposto pelas condições experimentais. Essas massas, somadas ao conteúdo de proteína bruta indica que o capim é adaptado a baixas precipitações, inerentes a estação seca; a fertilização foliar aplicada no começo das estações não afeta os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do capim BRS Zuri.(AU)

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The objective was to determine the structural and nutritive parameters for Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri under a Eucalyptus shading system, in rainy and dry seasons. At the beginning of each season, the treatments (foliar fertilization levels of 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) were applied and evaluated at 28, 56, and 84 growing days. The treatments did not affect significantly (p ≥ 0.05) the evaluated parameters. The systems (shading and full sun) and seasons did not change (p ≥ 0.05) forage and root masses. The leaf crude protein content was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the dry season. Height, leaf mass, stem and dead material, neutral and acid detergent fiber contents, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were affected (p ≤ 0.05) by the system x season. The growing days did not affect (p ≥ 0.05) forage mass. The mass of dead material decreased (p ≤ 0.05) over the evaluated intervals. The other parameters were affected (p ≤ 0.05) by system × growing days. Based on the results, the forage and root masses show that the cv. BRS Zuri is adapted to the shading in the proposed experimental conditions. These masses added to the crude protein content indicate adaptation to low rainfall, inherent to the dry season, while foliar fertilization applied at the beginning of seasons did not affect the structural and nutritive parameters of BRS Zuri grass.

O objetivo foi determinar os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri sob sistema sombreado por eucalipto, nas estações chuvosa e seca. No começo de cada estação, os tratamentos (níveis de fertilização foliar de 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) foram aplicados e as avaliações realizadas aos 28, 56 e 84 dias de crescimento. Os tratamentos não afetaram significativamente (p ≥ 0.05) os parâmetros avaliados. Os sistemas (sombreado e a pleno sol) e estações não modificaram (p ≥ 0.05) as massas de forragem e de raízes. O conteúdo de proteína bruta foi maior (p ≤ 0.05) na estação seca. Altura, massas de folhas, colmos e material morto, conteúdos de fibra em detergente ácido e neutro, e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foram significativamente afetados (p ≤ 0.05) pela interação sistema x estação. Os dias de crescimento não afetaram (p ≥ 0.05) a massa de forragem. A massa de material morto diminuiu (p ≤ 0.05) com os intervalos de avaliação. Os outros parâmetros foram afetados (p ≤ 0.05) pela interação sistema x dias de crescimento. Baseado nos resultados observados, as massas de forragem e raízes mostram que o cv. BRS Zuri é adaptado ao sombreamento proposto pelas condições experimentais. Essas massas, somadas ao conteúdo de proteína bruta indica que o capim é adaptado a baixas precipitações, inerentes a estação seca; a fertilização foliar aplicada no começo das estações não afeta os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do capim BRS Zuri.

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ABSTRACT The objective was to determine the structural and nutritive parameters for Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri under a Eucalyptus shading system, in rainy and dry seasons. At the beginning of each season, the treatments (foliar fertilization levels of 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) were applied and evaluated at 28, 56, and 84 growing days. The treatments did not affect significantly (p 0.05) the evaluated parameters. The systems (shading and full sun) and seasons did not change (p 0.05) forage and root masses. The leaf crude protein content was higher (p 0.05) in the dry season. Height, leaf mass, stem and dead material, neutral and acid detergent fiber contents, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were affected (p 0.05) by the system x season. The growing days did not affect (p 0.05) forage mass. The mass of dead material decreased (p 0.05) over the evaluated intervals. The other parameters were affected (p 0.05) by system × growing days. Based on the results, the forage and root masses show that the cv. BRS Zuri is adapted to the shading in the proposed experimental conditions. These masses added to the crude protein content indicate adaptation to low rainfall, inherent to the dry season, while foliar fertilization applied at the beginning of seasons did not affect the structural and nutritive parameters of BRS Zuri grass.

RESUMO O objetivo foi determinar os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri sob sistema sombreado por eucalipto, nas estações chuvosa e seca. No começo de cada estação, os tratamentos (níveis de fertilização foliar de 0, 3, 6 and 9 L ha-1) foram aplicados e as avaliações realizadas aos 28, 56 e 84 dias de crescimento. Os tratamentos não afetaram significativamente (p 0.05) os parâmetros avaliados. Os sistemas (sombreado e a pleno sol) e estações não modificaram (p 0.05) as massas de forragem e de raízes. O conteúdo de proteína bruta foi maior (p 0.05) na estação seca. Altura, massas de folhas, colmos e material morto, conteúdos de fibra em detergente ácido e neutro, e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foram significativamente afetados (p 0.05) pela interação sistema x estação. Os dias de crescimento não afetaram (p 0.05) a massa de forragem. A massa de material morto diminuiu (p 0.05) com os intervalos de avaliação. Os outros parâmetros foram afetados (p 0.05) pela interação sistema x dias de crescimento. Baseado nos resultados observados, as massas de forragem e raízes mostram que o cv. BRS Zuri é adaptado ao sombreamento proposto pelas condições experimentais. Essas massas, somadas ao conteúdo de proteína bruta indica que o capim é adaptado a baixas precipitações, inerentes a estação seca; a fertilização foliar aplicada no começo das estações não afeta os parâmetros estruturais e de valor nutritivo do capim BRS Zuri.

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Pasture-based livestock production is largely centered on monoculture systems that degrade grasslands. In integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems a synergy is supposed to occur between its components, contributing to global food production. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the microclimate on integrated crop-livestock-forestry (CLF) and crop-livestock (CL) systems on the behavior and body surface temperatures of beef cattle in a tropical climate. The experiment was carried from December/2016 to June/2017. Adult beef cows were maintained in CL (n = 11) or CLF (n = 12) systems, permanently monitored by automatic weather stations. The microclimatic conditions indicated that CLF was more effective in mitigating the environmental heat load. Animals maintained in CLF showed favorable behavior, longer rumination (42.9 ±â€¯2.2 vs 36.6 ±â€¯2.2 min) and shorter resting time (57.6 ±â€¯2.7 vs 65.9 ±â€¯2.8 min) during the morning. The grazing time and other activities did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05) in the afternoon. Animals in CLF exhibited lower surface temperatures of the back (TBack: 31.9 ±â€¯0.2 vs 32.8 ±â€¯0.2 °C, P < 0.05) and of the trunk (TTrunk: 32.0 ±â€¯0.1 vs 32.5 ±â€¯0.1 °C, P < 0.05) measured by infrared thermography. Animals maintained in CLF showed a significant preferential use of shade and a 23% reduction in the frequency of the animals searching for water troughs. It is evident from the study that integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems can be used to provide a more favorable microclimate within grasslands. Thus, beef cattle benefits from the milder environment and exhibits a higher thermal comfort, which favors food production and the rational use of natural resources.

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RESUMEN El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la composición bromatológica, la selectividad animal, el consumo parcial, la producción lechera y la concentración de nitrógeno ureico en sangre y leche en vacas lecheras F1 (Gyr X Holstein) en sistemas silvopastoriles con diferentes densidades de árboles de Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). El estudio se realizó en La Hacienda el Chaco, Tolima (Colombia). Los tratamientos fueron: Ti: pastura de Cynodon nlemfluensis sin arboles; T2: C. nlemfluensis + 1264 árboles/ha de L. leucocephala; T3: C. nlemfluensis + 4255 árboles/ha de L. leucocephala y T4: C. nlemfluensis + 9899 árboles/ha de L. leucocephala. Se evaluaron 4 periodos experimentales de 32 días cada uno y se utilizaron 16 vacas lecheras F1 (Gyr X Holstein). Se observaron diferencias (P < 0,05) en el contenido de materia seca entre C. nlemfluensis y L. leucocephala. Además, se observó alta selectividad de las vacas por la gramínea (P < 0,05). El consumo de materia seca total disminuyó con el aumento en la densidad de árboles de L. leucocephala únicamente en el periodo 3 (P < 0,05). A medida que aumentó la densidad de árboles de L. leucocephala los valores de nitrógeno ureico en sangre y leche aumentaron (P < 0,05). La producción lechera no se alteró por los tratamientos. Se concluye que las vacas F1 (Gyr X Holstein) en sistemas silvopastoriles tienen una alta selectividad y consumo parcial de la gramínea, y niveles más altos de nitrógeno ureico en sangre y leche.

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition, selectivity, partial intake, milk production and concentration of urea nitrogen in blood and milk in F1 (Gyr x Holstein) dairy cows on silvopastoral systems with different densities of Leucaena leucocephala trees. The study was carried out in the Chaco Farm, Tolima (Colombia). The treatments were: T1: Cynodon nlemfluensis pasture without trees; T2: C. nlemfluensis + 1264 trees/ha of L. leucocephala; T3: C. nlemfluensis + 4255 trees/ha of L. leucocephala and T4: C. nlemfluensis + 9899 trees/ha of L. leucocephala. Four experimental periods of 32 days each were evaluated and 16 F1 (Gyr x Holstein) cows were used. Differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the dry matter content between C. nlemfluensis and L. leucocephala. Further, there was high selectivity of the cows for the grass (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake decreased with the increase in density of L. leucocephala trees in period 3 only (P < 0.05). As the density of L. leucocephala trees increased, the values of urea nitrogen in blood and milk increased (P < 0.05). Milk production was not different among any of the treatments. It is concluded that F1 (Gyr X Holstein) cows in silvopastoral systems show high selectivity and partial intake of grass, and higher levels of blood and milk urea nitrogen.