Forage Legume Presence and Grazing Intensity Effect on Nitrogen Dynamics in \u3ci\u3eBrachiaria\u3c/i\u3e Pastures in the South of Bahia, Brazil

The objective of this study performed in the Atlantic forest region of the South of Bahia (Brazil) was to examine the influence of the presence of the forage legume Desmodium ovalifolium in pastures of Brachiaria humidicola on the nitrogen recycled through plant litter over stocking rates of 2, 3 and 4 head ha-1. The results demonstrated that the presence of the D. ovalifolium in the pasture significantly increased the protein content of the associated Brachiaria grass, and the rate and quantity of N recycled through the litter pathway. While had no significant increase in animal weight gain due this legume, the increase in N recycled through the litter pathway should provide an increase in the sustainability of pasture production, especially at the lower stocking rate where the grazing pressure was lower and the proportion of legume was higher