Effect of associates sheep grazing on irrigated mango yield.
Guimarães Filho C., Soares J. G. G.
Author Affiliation: Embrapa Semi-Árido, Caixa Postal 23, CEP 56 300-000, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura 22 : 102-105
Abstract : The effect of grazing of natural herbage by sheep in irrigated mango plantations on weed control costs was evaluated. Paddocks with mobile portable electric fences were rotationally grazed in a Tommy Atkins mango orchard in Bahia, Brazil, by 10 non-lactating Morada Nova crossbred ewes for a 117-day experimental period, from November 1997 to March 1998. Treatments comprised areas submitted to zero (control), 1, 2 or 3 rounds of grazing, at average intervals of 42.5 days. The descending order of dietary preference showed by ewes was: selected species of the natural herbage, mango leaves from the lower canopy and, lastly, less-palatable species of the natural herbage. Weed control was effective, mainly in the 3- and 2-round grazing treatments, and consumption of mango leaf regrowth by animals, even for the 3-round grazing paddock, did not affect crop yield. Liveweight gain of ewes averaged 52 g/head per day. No damage was observed to the irrigation equipment as a result of grazing. Three rounds of sheep grazing resulted in a reduction of 2 herbicide sprayings, and 4 mechanical and 2 hand weeding operations, compared with non-grazed paddocks.