In tropical regions, grass silage can be produced from the pasture in the rainy season to feed animals during the dry season. We evaluated the chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of ensiled signal grass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf. Basilisk) fertilized with nitrogen (N) or intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.) with and without microbial inoculant. We used a 4 × 2 factorial scheme in a randomized block design, with two blocks and two treatments per block, considering p > 0.05. We studied signal grass fertilized with 0 kg ha⁻¹ of N (0 N), 50 kg ha⁻¹ of N (50 N), or 100 kg ha⁻¹ of N (100 N), or intercropped with calopo legume (LEG), with (I) or without (WI) inoculant, in two seasons. During the dry–water transition, lower concentrations of butyric acid were observed in 50 N and LEG silages (2.77 and 2.55 g kg⁻¹ dry matter, DM) (inoculated) compared to control (7.77 g kg⁻¹ DM). During the water–dry transition, higher concentrations of crude protein were observed in 100 N and LEG silages (71.90 and 54.6 g kg⁻¹ DM) than in 0 N (46.3 g kg⁻¹ DM). The signal grass–calopo intercropping is an alternative to nitrogen fertilization, as it provides forage with a higher protein content and silage with satisfactory fermentative characteristics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the fermentation profile and nutritional value of BRS Capiaçu elephant grass silages harvested at two regrowth ages. The treatments were arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with five inoculants (I) and two regrowth ages (A, 90 and 105 days), in a completely randomized design, with three replicates. There were I × A interactions (p < 0.05) on pH, acetic acid, and water-soluble carbohydrates. The silage treated with Kera-Sil showed a lower pH compared with the control silage. The highest ammonia nitrogen content was recorded in the silage treated with Yakult^®. There were I × A interactions (p < 0.05) on the dry matter (DM) content, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD) and NDF (IVNDFD). Silages treated with Kera-Sil and Silo-Max at 90 days of regrowth showed a higher DM and higher IVDMD (p < 0.05). A higher NDF content and lower IVDMD and IVNDFD were recorded in silages produced with grass harvested at 105 days of regrowth (p < 0.05). The use of commercial microbial inoculants improved the fermentative and nutritional parameters of the silages.

Knowledge about the decomposition of litter in signal grass pastures is still limited, especially in pastures managed under deferred grazing. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and decomposition rate of litter in signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) pastures not fertilized with N (U0), fertilized with 50 kg·N·ha⁻¹ (U50), fertilized with 100 kg·N·ha⁻¹ (U100), and intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.) (UC), managed under deferred grazing at different incubation times for two experimental periods (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). Data were analyzed using a randomized block experimental design with four management systems and two blocks, each containing two replicates per treatment. Nitrogen sources increased the N concentrations in the litter before incubation. Nitrogen concentrations in the incubated litter were affected by the incubation times and periods, increasing over time, mainly for U50 and U100. U100 litter samples exhibited higher acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) levels than the U0 litter samples only in period 2. Notably, the C/N ratio did not differ with the different management systems; however, it decreased with increasing incubation times and periods, with final values of 24:1 and 26:1 in periods 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, litter samples from pastures fertilized with chemical or biological N sources exhibited higher N concentrations, but their incubated litter samples exhibited higher ADIN concentrations. However, management systems did not affect C/N ratios and no differences in litter biomass decomposition were observed among the systems, possibly due to the grazing period occurring prior to litter sampling.

Although pastures cover nearly half of Brazil’s agricultural land and form the backbone of national livestock production, they have historically received limited attention regarding management and fertilization, resulting in widespread degradation. Sustainable intensification of these pasture-based systems is therefore essential to meet growing global demand for animal products while minimizing environmental impacts. This review highlights recent technological innovations in pasture fertilization in Brazil, with a particular focus on alternative phosphorus sources such as natural reactive phosphates, which offer slow-release nutrients at lower costs compared to conventional fertilizers. Efforts to enhance nitrogen use efficiency through nitrification and urease inhibitors show promise in reducing nutrient losses and greenhouse gas emissions, despite current cost constraints limiting adoption. The integration of grass-legume intercropping, especially with Arachis pintoi, has been shown to enhance forage quality and system persistence when appropriately managed. Moreover, plant growth-promoting microorganisms emerge as sustainable biotechnological tools for restoring degraded pastures and boosting forage productivity without adverse environmental consequences. Properly treated agro-industrial residues also present a viable nutrient source for pastures, provided environmental regulations are strictly followed to prevent pollution. Together, these innovations offer a comprehensive framework for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of Brazilian livestock systems, highlighting the pressing need for continued research and the adoption of advanced fertilization strategies.

The objective of this study was to isolate lactic bacteria, quantify the population of Lentilactobacillus buchneri by qPCR, and evaluate the effects of the inoculation of native strains of L. buchneri in sorghum silage. The treatments were arranged in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme, with four inoculants (I) and five fermentation periods (P) (7, 14, 28, 45, and 90), in a completely randomized design, with three replicates. Forty-seven LAB strains were isolated from control silage, and L. buchneri was the predominant species at 45 and 90 days of fermentation. The qPCR data showed that L. buchneri predominated during all fermentation periods in the inoculated silages. There was an effect (P<0.05) of I × P interaction on all studied variables of the fermentative profile and microbial population. There was an effect (P<0.05) of I × P interaction on the dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro DM digestibility, and in vitro NDF digestibility. Inoculation with L. buchneri resulted in silages with better fermentative quality and digestibility and a lower yeast population. The native LB.1 and LB.4 strains have potential to be used as inoculants in sorghum silage production, with effects on fermentation quality at 45 days of storage.

This study highlights the potential of grass–legume intercropping systems in enhancing soil carbon sequestration and cycling nutrients, providing ecological support for sustainable agriculture. This study evaluated the chemical composition and root biomass of signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) pasture grown in monoculture or intercropped with forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte) under different row spacings (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 cm), 4–5 years after establishment. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates under intermittent sheep grazing. Results (p < 0.05) indicated that root biomass was higher in the intercropped pastures (6752 to 11,167 kg OM ha⁻¹) than in the monoculture (3696 kg OM ha⁻¹). Carbon (C) and N stored in root biomass were also influenced by the row spacings, with narrower spacings, particularly 40 cm (1282 kg C ha⁻¹) and 50 cm (1424 kg C ha⁻¹), showing higher C storage than in the monoculture (509 kg C ha⁻¹). Similarly, the 40 cm (122 kg N ha⁻¹) and 50 cm (138 kg N ha⁻¹) spacings showed higher N accumulation in root biomass than the monoculture (38.9 kg N ha⁻¹). These spacing also reduced C/N and lignin/ADIN ratios, which enhanced nitrogen cycling efficiency. Based on these results, 40 and 50 cm spacings are recommended for intercropped pastures, as they optimize C and N accumulation and nutrient cycling, and support sustainable pasture management.