Shade effects on the hybrid Mavuno brachiariagrass (Urochloa spp.) as potential grass in agroforestry systems

The goal of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic, physiology, and forage mass characteristics of Mavuno brachiariagrass ( Urochloa brizantha × Urochloa ruziziensis ) under shading. The experiment was analyzed as split-plot. Whole plots were two growing seasons (spring/summer and fall/winter) and the subplots were shade levels (0, 30, 45, and 73%). There is a linear positive effect of shade on leaf elongation rate, leaf blade lengths, canopy height, chlorophyll indices, leaf percentage, and leaf to stem ratio. Shade linearly decreased stem and inflorescence percentages and tillers number. There was a quadratic effect of shade on growing cycle length, forage mass, and photosynthesis. Regarding to seasons, spring/summer presented higher rates of leaf appearance, leaf elongation, and stem elongation compared to fall/winter. In conclusion, Mavuno brachiariagrass harvested at 95% LI presents great adaptation to shading of 30%, without impairing the forage mass although increasing leaf size, chlorophyll indices, and canopy height.