Effect of cutting height and frecuency on growth and yield of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) in a greenhouse

To improve animal production it is important to understand the effects of defoliation frequency and intensity on yield, botanical composition, and persistence of pastures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of frequency and intensity of defoliation on total biomass (aerial plus root mass), herbage yield, growth rate and tissue turnover of buffel grass in a greenhouse. The combination of four cutting heights (4, 8, 12, and 16 cm) and two cutting frequencies (once and twice a week), and a control (without cut) were evaluated. Experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial (4x2) arrangement of treatments with three replicates. Every six weeks (June 15 to October 19, 2000), two lots were utilized to determine total biomass. Excluding the control treatment, the greatest total biomass, cumulative herbage mass, growth rate, and net growth per tiller and per ml, were recorded at 8 cm cutting height (p <= 0.05). Net elongation and senescence decreased as cutting height increased from 4 to 16 cm (p <= 0.05). It is concluded that the optimum cutting height, which produces the highest herbage production in buffel grass, was 8 cm, cut twice a week, in a greenhouse.