Effect of herbage allowances on biomass flows in Italian ryegrass

The objective of this study was to determine the leaf tissue flows in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), in different phenological stages, grazed by lambs, and managed under three herbage allowances (6, 9 and 12 kg DM/100 kg body weight under rotational stocking method. The experimental design was completely randomized, with repeated measures arrangement. Forage allowances determined similar growth and intake flows, actual and potential utilization efficiencies of grass and they were different in the phenological stages of Italian ryegrass. The intake of leaf blade, as a percentage of body weight, was higher in the 12% herbage allowance. Considering leaf tissue flows, Italian ryegrass can be managed in forage allowances that vary between 6 and 12 kg DM/100 kg body weight. RESUMO: Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de determinar os fluxos de tecidos foliares em diferentes estádios fenológicos do azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), pastejado por cordeiras, manejado sob três níveis de oferta de forragem (6; 9 e 12 kg de MS/100 kg de peso corporal), sob lotação intermitente. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo. Os fluxos de crescimento e consumo de lâminas foliares, as eficiências real e potencial de utilização do pasto foram similares nas ofertas de forragem e diferentes nos estádios fenológicos do azevém. O consumo de lâminas foliares em porcentagem do peso corporal foi superior na oferta de forragem 12%. Considerando os fluxos de tecidos foliares, o azevém pode ser manejado com ofertas de forragem que variam entre 6 a 12 kg de MS/100 kg de peso corporal.