Influence of shade on productivity and nutritional value of Urochloa decumbens in silvopastoral systems using different spatial arrangements of eucalyptus cultivars

This study evaluated pasture productivity and nutritional characteristics of Urochloa decumbens in silvopastoral systems (SPS) with different eucalyptus cultivars spatial arrangements providing differing levels shade. SPS were arranged to provide 46 % shade (eucalyptus trees 2 double rows m apart, every 3 each row, 20 between rows), 60 row 9 rows) 57 a single the using ‘GG100’, ‘I144’ or ‘VM58’. Two full sun pastures treated as managed (soil pH correction N, P K fertilizer application) non-managed (no addition arrangements. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was 1,439 μmol/m2/s compared mean 715 under Leaf area index U. 28 higher lower all pasture. The dry matter yield 58 86 crude protein content than pastures, values significantly reduced PAR forage yield. These results indicate that where main objective is animal production, spacing tree greater should be used sufficient high-quality grass.