The control of spittlebugs, in general, is compromised by the failure to recognize that the impact of this insect pest can vary greatly, due to taxonomic diversity, the extent of habitats, climatic factors and pasture management. Furthermore, insects and plants co-evolve and this factor must be taken into account, since the discovery of resistant cultivars requires a relatively long period and the knowledge of the bases of the insect-pest interaction with the plant can be a key point for the ree

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2008

The growing demand for a sustainable energy matrix and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels make the energy obtained from biomass a prominent option. The major uses of biomass as energetic input are the production of thermal energy (direct combustion, charcoal and residues), production of mechanic energy (alcohol and bio-oils), production of electricity (through combustion, gasification or gas burning), and production of other components of the so called green chemistry (bioproducts and

Status: Completed     Start date: Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2014

Among the essential nutrients, nitrogen (N) is the one with the greatest potential for enhancing forage production. The efficiency of nitrogen uptake is related to the energy supply provided by the photosynthesis. However, recent practices of intensive pasture management have recommended the use of lower post-grazing residues, thus reducing the leaf area of the canopy. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of the timing of nitrogen fertilization in association with different d

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2014

In Brazil, milk production is practiced by more than one million farmers, mostly smallholders, who have in pastures and swards for green chop the most important sources for cattle feeding. Dairy agribusiness plays a significant role in food supply for the domestic market, in the generation of jobs and income for the population and in recent years has also become increasingly important in the Country’s export line. The intensification of animal production systems demands the use of forage species

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2016

In Brazil, milk production is practiced by more than one million farmers, mostly smallholders, who rely primarily on pastures and grass plantations for green chop as the most important feeding sources for their herds. One of the main demands of the farmers refers to improved forage cultivars for cutting and grazing that can meet the nutritional needs of herds throughout the year. Elephantgrass stands out as a potential fodder resource due to its high production of biomass, superior nutritional q

Status: Completed     Start date: Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

Milk production systems in Brazil are based, for the most part, on the use of tropical grass pastures as the main source of nutrients for animals. Keeping high levels of pasture-based milk production depends on the following factors: supply of forage in quantity and quality, maximum duration of the grazing season, rational use of energy, protein and mineral supplements, and definition of management strategy that aims at productivity by area. Therefore, intensive pasture management results in for

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

In intensive milk production systems, planning roughage supplementation is critical to the success of the activity. In Brazil the main forage conservation strategy is ensilage, in which maize is the main crop used, due to its high ensilability and silage nutritive value. However, the oscillation of input prices (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, etc.) has increased the production costs of such crop, a fact that has been pointed out by farmers as a barrier for the economic viability of the producti

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

In intensive milk production systems, planning roughage supplementation is critical to the success of the activity. In Brazil the main forage conservation strategy is ensilage, in which maize is the main crop used, due to its high ensilability and silage nutritive value. However, the oscillation of input prices (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, etc.) has increased the production costs of such crop, a fact that has been pointed out by farmers as a barrier for the economic viability of the producti

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

Pastures of Cynodon spp. and elephantgrass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) have their productivity and forage quality directly affected by weed interference. The difficulty of controlling weeds is one of the main obstacles to growing and using these forage crops as an input in animal feeding, as well as in the production of elephantgrass biomass for energy use. Despite the progress in agroecological weed control techniques, herbicides are still indispensable, especially in crops on ...

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

Despite the importance of forage grasses for livestock in Brazil, the amount of information available remains limited, especially for breeding purposes. The basic knowledge about any given species is fundamental to direct genetic improvement programs, helping in the selection of efficient strategies that will lead to a greater selection gain. Essential information includes reproduction mode and outcrossing rate, which help not only breeding programs but also germplasm conservation. Traditional m

Status: Completed     Start date: Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2015