Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Silvopastoral system: persistence of Andropogon grass and grazing behavior of goats

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of silvopastoral systems improves the sustainability of resources, enhancing the efficiency of the production system, with potential to offer local and global ecosystem services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the persistence of Andropogon grass (Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina) in nine years of growth and the ingestive behavior of goats under continuous stocking in a silvopastoral system during the rainy season, in comparison to the monoculture. The treatments were two production systems: monoculture (Andropogon grass) and silvopastoral system—SPS (native trees mixed with Andropogon grass). The persistence was evaluated between the years of 2011 and 2019 and, the ingestive behavior was evaluated in the grazing periods of 2019 (March, April, May and June). No effect of the interaction between cultivation systems and years was found on forage dry mass yield (P = 0.17) and leaf/stem ratio (P = 0.21), however, the forage dry mass yield was higher (P < 0.01) in the silvopastoral system. There was effect of interaction on the crude protein content (P < 0.01). In addition, there was effect of the different systems on the NDF content (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences (P > 0.10) for the ingestive behavior variables, except for the bite mass that was higher in the monoculture. Significant differences were found for the bite rate, with a mean value of 17.8 bites/min−1. The DM intake in relation to the body weight was equivalent to 2.86% of the BW. There was no difference in the variation of the mean body weight of the goats between the cultivation systems of Andropogon grass. The Andropogon grass pasture grown in monoculture system and SPS remains perennial for nine years of grazing. Goat grazing in the two cultivation systems of Andropogon grass showed similar performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Source: Author

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alvarenga CAF, Euclides VBP, Montagner DB, Barbosa RA, Araujo AR (2020) Animal performance and sward characteristics of Mombaça guineagrass pastures subjected to grazing frequencies. Trop Grassl 8(1):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aquino RS, Lemos CG, Alencar CA Silva EG, Lima RS, Gomes JA, Silva AF (20160 A realidade da caprinocultura e ovinacultura no semiárido brasileiro: um retrato do sertão do Araripe, Pernambuco. Pubvet 10(4):271–281. https://doi.org/10.22256/pubvet.v10n4.271-281

  • Araújo DLC, Oliveira ME, Lopes JB, Alves AA, Rodrigues MM, Moura RL, Moreira Filho MA (2015) Performance and goats behavior in pasture of Andropogon grass under different forage allowances. Semina Ciênc Agrár 36(3):2301–2316. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n3Supl1p2301

  • Baroni CES, Lana RP, Mancio AB, Queiroz AC, Sverzut CB, Mendonça BPC (2010) Performance of steers supplemented and finished on pasture in the dry season and pasture evaluation. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 62(2):373–381. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352010000200018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer MO, Pacheco LPA, Chichorro JF, Vasconcelos LV, Pereira DFC (2011) Produção e características estruturais de cinco forrageiras do gênero Brachiaria sob intensidades de cortes intermitentes. Cienc Anim Bras 12(1):17–25. https://doi.org/10.5216/cab.v12i1.4817

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernardino FS, Tonucci RG, Garcia R, Neves JCL, Rocha GC (2011) Produção de forragem e desempenho de novilhos de corte em um sistema silvipastoril: efeito de doses de nitrogênio e oferta de forragem. Rev Bras De Zootec 40(7):1412–1419. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982011000700003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnet O, Hagenah N, Hebbelmann L, Meuret M, Shrader AM (2011) Is hand plucking an accurate method of estimating bite mass and instantaneous intake of grazing herbivores? Rangel Ecol Manag 64(4):366–374. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-10-00186.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnet OJF, Meuret M, Tischler MR, Cezimbra IM, Azambuja JCR, Carvalho PCF (2015) Continuous bite monitoring: a method to assess the foraging dynamics of herbivores in natural grazing conditions. Anim Prod Sci 55:339–349. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broom DM (2017) Components of sustainable animal production and the use of silvopastoral systems. Rev Bras de Zootec 46:683–688

  • Broom DM, Galindo FA, Murgueitio E (2013) Sustainable, efficient livestock production with high biodiversity and good welfare for animals. Proc R Soc 280(1771):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calil FN, Lima NL, Silva RT, Moraes MDA, Barbosa PVG, Lima PAF, Reis Nascimento A (2016) Biomass and nutrition stock of grassland and accumulated litter in a silvopastoral system with Cerrado species. Afr J Agric Res 11(38):3701–3709. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavalcanti MCA, Batista ÂMV, Guim A, Andrade Lira M, Ribeiro VL, Neto ACR (2008) Consumo e comportamento ingestivo de caprinos e ovinos alimentados com palma gigante (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) e palma orelha-de-elefante (Opuntia sp.). Acta Sci Anim Sci 30(2):173–179. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26600420

  • Cavalcanti AC, Saliba EOS, Gonçalves LC, Rodrigues NM, Borges I, Borges ALCC (2016) Intake and apparent digestibility of andropogon gayanus hay at three different ages. Ciênc Anim Bras 17(14):482–490. https://doi.org/10.1590/1089-6891v17i416026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceballos MC, Cuartas CA, Naranjo JF, Rivera JE, Arenas F, Murgueitio E, Tarazona AM (2011) Effect of environmental temperature and humidity on the behavior of consumption in intensive silvopastoral systems and possible implications for thermal comfort. Rev Colomb de Cienc Pecu 24:368

  • Costa JV, Oliveira ME, Moura RMAS, Costa Júnior MJN, Rodrigues MM (2015) Grazing behavior and ingestive goats in silvopastoral system. Cienc Agron 46(4):865–872. https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20150075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa CS, Rodrigues RC, Santos FNS, Araújo RA, Sousa GOC, Lima JRL, Nunes DR, Rodrigues MM (2017) Structural characteristics and chemical composition of andropogon grass pasture managed under different defoliation intensities and rest periods. Rev Bras Saúde Prod Anim 18(4):492–504. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1519-99402017000400001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coutinho MJF, Carneiro MSS, Edvan RL, Pinto AP (2013) A pecuária como atividade estabilizadora no semiárido brasileiro. Vet Zoot 20:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuartas CC, Naranjo RJ, Tarazona MA, Murgueitio RE, Chará OJ, Ku VJ, Solorio SF, Flores EMX, Solorio SB, Barahona RR (2014) Contribution of intensive silvopastoral systems to animal performance and to adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Rev Colomb de Cienc Pecu 27:76–94

  • Darcan NK, Silanikove N (2018) The advantages of goats for future adaptation to climate change: a conceptual overview. Small Rumin Res 163:34–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.04.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devkota NR, Kemp PD, Hodgson J, Valentine I, Jaya IKD (2009) Relationship between tree canopy height and the production of pasture species in a silvopastoral system based on alder trees. Agrofor Syst 76:363–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9192-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egea AV, Allegretti L, Lama SP, Grilli D, Sartor C, Fucili M, Guevara JC, Passera C (2014) Selective behavior of Creole goats in response to the functional heterogeneity of native forage species in the central Monte desert, Argentina. Small Rumin Res 120(1):90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.04.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emperaire L (1989) Vegetation et gestion des ressources naturelles dans la caatinga du sud-est du Piauí (Bresil). Doctorat d'Etat es Sciences Naturelles, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris

  • Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (2006) Centro Nacional de Pesquisa do Solo, Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos, Embrapa Solos, (2da ed.). Rio de Janeiro

  • Fernandes A (1982) A vegetação do Piauí. In: 32a Congresso Nacional de Botânica, vol 32, pp 313–318

  • Fernandes MH, Fernandes JS, Resende KT, Bonfa HC, Reis RA, Ruggieri AC, Santos PM (2016) Grazing behavior and intake of goats rotationally grazing Tanzania-grass pasture with different post-grazing residues. Trop Grassl 4(2):91–100. https://doi.org/10.17138/TGFT(4)91-100

  • Gardner AL (1986) Técnicas de pesquisa em pastagens aplicabilidade de resultados em sistemas de produção. Instituto Interamericano de Cooperação para a Agricultura, Embrapa. Brasília

  • Goetsch AL, Gipson TA, Askar AR, Puchala R (2010) Invited review: feeding behaviour of goats. J Anim Sci 88(1):361–373. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2009-2332

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes GP, Reid D (1951) Studies on the behavior of cattle and sheep in relation to utilization of grass. J Agric Sci 41(1):350–355. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600049534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia-INMET (2020) Disponível em: http://www.inmet.gov.br/portal/ Accessed 10 Jan 2020

  • Lacerda MSB, Alves AA, Oliveira ME, Rogério MCP, Carvalho TB, Veras VS (2009) Composição bromatológica e produtividade do capim andropógon em diferentes idades de rebrota em sistema silvipastoril. Acta Sci Anim Sci 31(2):123–129. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v31i2.4549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Macedo EO, Oliveira ME, Silva PC, Ribeiro AM, Oliveira GL, Andrade AC, Rodrigues MM (2015) Intake and ingestive behavior of goats on marandu-grass pasture. Semin Cienc Agrar 36(3):2175–2184. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n3Supl1p2175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magalhães JA, Carneiro MSS, Andrade AC, Pereira ES, Souto JS, Pinto MSC, Costa NC, Mochel Filho W (2012) Nitrogen use efficiency, yield and composition of andropogon-grass under irrigation and fertilization. Arch Zootec 61(236):577–588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malcolm B, Smith KF, Jacobs JL (2014) Perennial pasture persistence: the economic perspective. Crop Pasture Sci 65(8):713–720. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manousidis T, Kyriazopoulos AP, Parissi ZM, Abraham EM, Korakis G, Abas Z (2016) Grazing behavior, forage selection and diet composition of goats in a Mediterranean woody rangeland. Small Rumin Res 145:142–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council-NRC (2007) Nutrient requirements of small ruminants: sheep, goats, cervids, and new world camelids. National Academy of Science, Washintgton, DC

  • Nóbrega RS, Santiago GACF, Soares DB (2016) Tendências do controle climático oceânico sob a variabilidade temporal da precipitação no Nordeste do Brasil. Rev Bras Climat 63:9–26. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-34022016000100002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira FLR, Mota VA, Ramos MS, Tuffi SLD, Oliveira NJF, Geraseev LC (2013) Performance of Andropogon gayanus and Panicum maximum cv. ‘Tanzania’ in the shading. Cienc Rural 43(2):348–354. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782013000200026

  • Oliveira GL, Oliveira ME, Macedo OE, Alex CA, Edvan RL (2020) Effect of shading and canopy height on pasture of Andropogon gayanus in silvopastoral system. Agrofor Syst 94:953–962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00458-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orefice J, Smith RG, Carroll J, Asbjornsen H, Howard T (2019) Forage productivity and profitability in newly-established open pasture, silvopasture, and thinned forest production systems. Agrofor Syst 93:51–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-0052-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paciullo DSC, Castro CRT, Gomide CAM, Maurício RM, Piresa MFA, Müller MD, Xavier DF (2011) Performance of dairy heifers in a silvopastoral system. Livest Sci 141(2–3):166–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.05.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pezzoni T, Victorino ACT, Daniel O, Lempp B (2012) Influence of Pterodon emarginatus Vogel on physical and chemical attributes of the ground and nutritional value of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf in silvipastoral system. Cerne 18(2):293–301. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-77602012000200014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro AM, Oliveira MED, Silva PCD, Rufino MDOA, Rodrigues MM, Santos MSD (2012) Canopy characteristics, animal behavior and forage intake by goats grazing on Tanzania-grass pasture with different heights. Acta Sci Anim Sci 34(4):371–378. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i4.14544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro GO, Teixeira AM, Velasco FO, Faria Wg JR, Pereira LGR, Chaves AV, Gonçalves LC, Mcallister TA (2014) Producción, calidad nutricional y producción de metano in vitro a partir del pasto Andropogon gayanus cosechado a diferentes vencimientos y conservado como heno o ensilaje. Asian Australas J Anim Sci 27:330–341

  • Riet-Correa B, Simões SVD, Pereira Filho JM, Azevedo SSA, Melo DB, Batista JA, Riet-Correa F (2013) Sistemas produtivos de caprinocultura leiteira no semiárido paraibano: caracterização, principais limitantes e avaliação de estratégias de intervenção. Pesqui Vet Bras 33(3):345–352. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2013000300012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues MM, Oliveira ME, Moura RL, Rufino MOA, SILVA, W.K.A., Nascimento, M.P.S.C.B. (2013) Forage intake and behavior of goats on Tanzania-grass pasture at two regrowth ages. Acta Sci Anim Sci 35(1):37–41. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i1.16035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Zamora J, Elizondo-Salazar J (2012) Consumo, calidad nutricional y digestibilidad aparente de morera (Morus alba) y pasto estrella (Cynodon nlemfuensis) en cabras. Agron Costarric 36(1):13–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos GR, Mendonça RC, Silva MA, Queiroz LO (2014) Caracterização da caprinocultura na bacia leiteira sergipana. Scien Plena 10(11):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (2004) SAS/ETS 9.1 user's guide. SAS Institute

  • Silva DC, Queiroz AC (2002) Análise de alimentos: métodos químicos e biológicos, 3rd ed. Universidade Federal de Viçosa: UFV

  • Silva DC, Alves AA, Lacerda MSB, Moreira Filho MA, Oliveira ME, Lafayette EA (2014) Nutritional value of andropogon grass in four regrowth ages during rain session. Rev Bras Saúde Prod 15(3):626–636. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-99402014000300004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Soest PJ (1994) Nutritional ecology of the ruminant. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, p 476p

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Solorio FJ, Basul SK, Sarabia L, Ayala A, Ramírez L, Aguilar C, Erales JA, Ku JC, Wright J (2016) The potential of Silvopastoral systems for milk and meat organic production in the tropics. In: Nandwani D (eds) Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26803-3_8

  • Sousa LF, Maurício RM, Moreira GR, Gonçalves LC, Borges I, Pereira LGR (2010) Nutritional evaluation of “Braquiarão” grass in association with “Aroeira” trees in a silvopastoral system. Agrofor Syst 79:189–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-010-9297-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souza GB, Noguirea ARA, Sumi LM, Batista LAR (1999) Método alternativo para a determinação de fibra em detergente neutro e detergente ácido. Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Boletim de Pesquisa, São Carlos, p 4

  • Veloso Filho ES, Rodrigues MM, Oliveira ME, Rufino MOA, Câmara CS, Garcez BS (2013) Comportamento de caprinos em pastagem de capim Marandu manejado sob lotação rotacionada em duas idades de rebrotação. Comun Sci 4(3):238–243. https://doi.org/10.14295/cs.v4i3.304

  • Zobel G, Neave HW, Webster J (2019) Understanding natural behavior to improve dairy goat (Capra hircus) management systems. Transl Anim Sci 3(1):212–224. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy145

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia Tropical, PPGZT-UFPI, Teresina, Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil

    Eyner Ricardo Arias Zambrano, Maria Elizabete Oliveira, Ricardo Loiola Edvan, Jandson Vieira Costa, Allan Stênio da Silva Santos, Daniel Louçana da costa Araújo & Tairon Pannunzio Dias-Silva

  2. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, CCA-UFPB, Areia, PB, Brazil

    Edson Mauro Santos

Authors
  1. Eyner Ricardo Arias Zambrano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Elizabete Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ricardo Loiola Edvan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jandson Vieira Costa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Allan Stênio da Silva Santos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Daniel Louçana da costa Araújo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Edson Mauro Santos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tairon Pannunzio Dias-Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tairon Pannunzio Dias-Silva.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zambrano, E.R.A., Oliveira, M.E., Edvan, R.L. et al. Silvopastoral system: persistence of Andropogon grass and grazing behavior of goats. Agroforest Syst 97, 1131–1142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00852-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00852-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation