African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6786

Full Length Research Paper

Variation of leaf area index of the forage sorghum under different irrigation depths in dynamic of cuts

Jardel Henrique Kirchner
  • Jardel Henrique Kirchner
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Adroaldo Dias Robaina
  • Adroaldo Dias Robaina
  • Department of Rural Engineering at Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil.
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Marcia Xavier Peiter
  • Marcia Xavier Peiter
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Wellington Mezzomo
  • Wellington Mezzomo
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Rogério Ricalde Torres
  • Rogério Ricalde Torres
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Leonita Beatriz Girardi
  • Leonita Beatriz Girardi
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Bruna Dalcin Pimenta
  • Bruna Dalcin Pimenta
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Ricardo Benetti Rosso
  • Ricardo Benetti Rosso
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Anderson Crestani Pereira
  • Anderson Crestani Pereira
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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Marcos Vinícius Loregian
  • Marcos Vinícius Loregian
  • Postgraduate Studies Program Agricultural Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brasil.
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  •  Received: 26 September 2016
  •  Accepted: 07 December 2016
  •  Published: 12 January 2017

Abstract

The determination of leaf area index is a variable of great importance for predicting productivity, especially when it comes to forage species where the desired product is the leaves. This study aimed to determine the variation of the leaf area index of forage sorghum when subjected to different irrigation depths in four culture cuts. Treatments consisted of six irrigation depths, these being 0, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140% of the reference evapotranspiration. Seven evaluations of leaf area index (LAI) were performed, which were in the four cuts, specifically at 50, 80, 110 and 140 days after sowing (DAS), and also 15 days after each cut to evaluate the culture’s resprouting, that is, at 65, 95 and 125 DAS. The delineation was randomized blocks, with six treatments and four blocks, totaling 24 experimental units. The experiment was conducted in Santiago-RS. Sowing was done on November 18, 2014. Using an irrigation system sprinkler, with one main row and six lateral rows, of PVC, being the irrigation levels differentiated by the nozzle diameter difference of sprinkler each lateral row. Samples of 0.5 linear meters per plot were collected in each of the seven evaluations, totaling 24 samples for evaluation. The analysis of leaf area index was performed using the computer program ImageJ. Significant results were found for the influence of the different irrigation levels on the leaf area index in the four cuts (recommended periods for grazing) evaluated, as well as for resprouting evaluations in the intermediate periods between cuts. Quadratic equations were adjusted for all the evaluation dates, where the 100 and 120% reference evapotranspiration levels alternated the largest LAI for all evaluations. The results also characterize that the second cut, or second grazing period of the irrigated forage sorghum, was the most productive, being it possible to recommend an increase in the animal load, or increase in grazing period in the area in this period. In this way, irrigation by sprinkling in the sorghum culture was characterized as an alternative for producers to increase leaf area index, and, consequently, crop productivity.

Key words: Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench), irrigation management, pasture irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, production estimation.