Methods for seedling production and establishment of forage peanut in an intercropping with BRS Tamani grass

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to explore methods for producing forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) cv. Belomonte seedlings and their introduction into an established pasture with Tamani grass. The experiment was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, seedlings were generated from stolons with three treatments: stolons produced in water; stolons produced in nutrient solution; and stolons produced with commercial substrate. The treatment with commercial substrate did not produce sufficient seedlings for the second phase of the experiment and was, therefore, discontinued. In the second phase, the seedlings were planted in an established pasture of BRS Tamani grass. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three treatments: peanut seedlings produced in water, peanut seedlings produced in nutrient solution, and raw stolon. The variables evaluated included seedling survival rate and the survival and development of the different types of rooted forage peanut seedlings at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after planting. Stolon survival rate exceeded 70% for the treatments using pure water and nutrient solution. The average stolon length and the number of leaves per plant were greater for the treatment using the nutrient solution. At the end of the experiment, there was no significant difference in the number of live plants. Forage peanut seedlings can be produced using a nutrient solution for broadleaf plants or simply with water, indicating easy production. Pre-rooting the seedlings in a nutrient solution for broadleaf plants favors the growth of stolons and leaves.

Keywords

• Arachis pintoi
• Megathyrsus maximus
• pasture diversification
• sustainability