Manejo da desfolha de duas variedades de trevo-persa cultivadas em solo hidromórfico

The effects of three frequencies and two intensities of defoliation on the morphogenic and structural characteristics, in the herbage production and leaf/stem ratio of two varieties of persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L. var. resupinatum Gib & Belli. cv. Kyambro and Trifolium resupinatum var. majus Boiss cv. BRS Resteveiro) were studied. The experimental design consisted of complete randomized blocks in a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with five replications. The following variables were evaluated: leaf appearance rate, phyllochron, leaflet extension and elongation rate, leaflet width and length, number of ramifications, plant height, number of open live leaves, total dry matter production and leaf/stem ratio. Although the forage presented higher number of live leaves in bigger defoliation intervals and the higher forage production was obtained in the residual height of 5 cm and in the interval of 6 leaves appearing, more frequent cuttings provide improvement of the leaf/stem ratio, higher number of ramifications, higher leaf appearance rate and bigger leaflet size.