Ecophysiology of C4 Forage Grasses—Understanding Plant Growth for Optimising Their Use and Management

Agriculture

Sila Carneiro da Silva³  André Fischer Sbrissia²  Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira¹ 

[1] Animal Science Department, University of São Paulo, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos e Zootecnia, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, CEP 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil; E-Mail:;Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Santa Catarina State University, Avenida Camões, 2090, CEP 88520-000, Lages, SC, Brazil; E-Mail:;Animal Science Department, University of São Paulo, E.S.A. “Luiz de Queiroz”, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

关键词: tropical pastures;    ecophysiology;    morphogenesis;    grazing management;   

DOI  :  10.3390/agriculture5030598

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Grazing management has been the focus of the research with forage plants in Brazil for many years. Only in the last two decades, however, significant changes and advances have occurred regarding the understanding of the key factors and processes that determine adequate use of tropical forage plants in pastures. The objective of this review is to provide an historical overview of the research with forage plants and grasslands in Brazil, highlighting advances, trends, and results, as well as to describe the current state of the art and identify future perspectives and challenges. The information is presented in a systematic manner, favoring an integrated view of the different trends and research philosophies. A critical appraisal is given of the need for revision and change of paradigms as a means of improving and consolidating the knowledge on animal production from pastures. Such analysis idealizes efficient, sound and sustainable grazing management practices necessary to realize the existing potential for animal production in the tropics.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.