Ecophysiology of C 4 Forage Grasses—Understanding Plant Growth for Optimising Their Use and Management

Sila Carneiro Da Silva, André Fischer Sbrissia and Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira
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Sila Carneiro Da Silva: Animal Science Department, University of São Paulo, E.S.A. "Luiz de Queiroz", Av. Pádua Dias, 11, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
André Fischer Sbrissia: Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Santa Catarina State University, Avenida Camões, 2090, CEP 88520-000, Lages, SC, Brazil
Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira: 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

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-28

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: tropical pastures; ecophysiology; morphogenesis; grazing management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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