Tiller size/density compensation in Marandu palisadegrass swards

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the existence of a relationship between tiller size and tiller number in grazed palisadegrass swards and to verify if adjustments related to changing in leaf area index (LAI), leaf area: tiller volume ratio (R), and tiller bulk density in the prediction equation of the response would explain eventual slope deviation from the theoretical predict slope. Treatments corresponded to four sward "steady state" conditions (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm sward surface heights), maintained by cattle under continuous but variable stocking rate. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with four replicates and the response-variables evaluated were tiller population density, mean tiller weight, and leaf area per tiller. Sward leaf area index (LAI), tiller leaf: stem ratio, and tiller leaf area: volume ratio (R) were calculated and simple regression analyses between tiller population density and tiller weight in a logarithm scale were performed. Measurements were made from January to December 2002. Swards showed a tiller size/density compensation mechanism characterized by high tiller population densities associated with small tillers and vice-versa. Rvalues showed a seasonal pattern of variation, suggesting that tillers of this grass species would be able to reduce leaf area in relation to its volume as a response to water deficit conditions. Calculated regression coefficients were smaller than the theoretical expectation of -3/2 and such deviation was satisfactorily explained by the recorded variations in LAI, R and tiller bulk density.