ABSTRACT: This research aimed at evaluating the effect of increasing coexistence periods with weeds on the nutritional components of the forage grass Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú under pasture renewal conditions. The experiment was arranged in randomized blocks with four replications, and treatments were represented by eight coexistence periods, namely: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 days after seedling emergence. A phytosociologic evaluation was performed on the weed community at the end of the coexistence periods; later, weeds were eliminated by an herbicide formulated with aminopyralid+2,4-D (40+320 g L-1) at 2.5 L ha-1, applied in post-emergence. The fodder plants were evaluated at the end of the experimental period as for leaf-stem ratio,... |