The productive and structural characteristics of Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) under continuous stocking rate and their relationship with beef heifers performance exclusively under grazing (PAST), supplemented with corn grain (PAST + C) or citric pulp (PAST + P) was evaluated. There was no difference among treatments for herbage mass, forage allowance, leaf lamina mass, leaf lamina allowance, daily accumulation rate of forage and herbage total production. Daily accumulation rate of forage, leaf lamina mass and leaf lamina allowance decreased linearly during the grazing period. The participation of Pearl millet components in the sward structure was similar among treatments and changed during the time. The energetic supplementation increased the stocking rate at beginning of grazing, with high leaf lamina participation in the canopy and increased the average daily gain in subsequent periods, with decreasing of the leaf lamina participation. The effect of energetic supplementation on Pearl millet pasture is linked with the amount and distribution of leaf lamina in the canopy structure. The energetic supplementation does not affect the structural and productive characteristics of pearl millet.
average daily gain; canopy structure; energetic supplementation; herbage production; leaf blade; stocking rate
