Response of \u3cem\u3eAxonopus catarinensis\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3eArachis pintoi\u3c/em\u3e to Shade Conditions

In the north-east of Argentina, there are more than 100,000 hectares of silvopastoral systems where trees, forages and livestock are combined with the goal to diversify income, reduce financial risk, obtain more profit and enhance environmental benefit (Cubbage et al. 2013). The rapid adoption of this production system by farmers has generated high demand for information on shade tolerant grass and legume forage species. Axonopus catarinensis is a native grass from Itajai Vally (Brazil) that was introduced to the north-east of Argentina 10 years ago; whereas Arachis pintoi is a sub-tropical legume (also native to Brazil) adapted to acid soils and tolerant of medium levels of shade (Fisher and Cruz 1994). Visual observation of these species in the field indicated high yields and acceptable tolerance to shade. A trial was subsequently carried out with the aim to quantify dry matter yield and nutritive quality of the species under different levels of shade for silvopastoral use