Stolon Density Of Perennial Rhizoma Peanut Genotypes As Affected By Harvest Frequency.

Stolon density of perennial rhizoma peanut genotypes as affected by harvest frequency

Diversification of grassland production systems combined with lower dependence on external energy inputs such as mineral fertilizer has been increasingly seen as a promising alternative for the development of sustainable livestock production. Incorporating forage legumes in these systems is one of the possible technologies, making for the need to devise sound management for existing materials. Lack of information on legume sward structural characteristics, mainly stolon density still limits the rational and optimal management of forage legumes in pastures. In order to establish bases for use of perennial peanut genotypes and to examine the adaptation of these material conditions of southeastern Brazil, the objective of this study is to describe and explainthe  stolon density characteristics of four perennial peanut genotypes under two harvest  frequencies. The study is being conducted in Piracicaba, Brazil. Treatments consist of four genotypes of perennial Arachis spp. (Alqueire, Amarillo, Belmonte and Mandobi) harvested every 28 and 42 days. The experimental design will be completely randomized with three replications, in a 4x2x3 factorial scheme. Treatment means were estimated and compared by "Student’s t" test at 5%. There was no effect of frequency (P=0.1294) nor of the genotype*frequency interaction (P=0.7273). There was effect of genotype (P <0.001) on stolon density.  Amarillo, Mandobi and Alqueirel-1 had the same stolon density.  Belmonte had the highest stolon density both under the 28 and the 42-d harvest schedule. Forage legumes with high stolon density usually prioritize shoot over root production, reflecting the colonization capacity and more efficient formation of pastures.