EFFECT OF SILICON FERTILIZER ON FORAGE GRASSES AND SOIL CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Keywords:
Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum, silicon, acidity correctionAbstract
This research assessed the effect of calcium silicate application to soil surface on dry matter production and Si concentration on grass shoots, as well as chemical characteristics of a soil under degraded forage grass pasture. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design, in a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of five calcium silicate doses (0 kg ha-1; 500 kg ha-1; 1,000 kg ha-1; 1,500 kg ha-1; and 2,000 kg ha-1) and two forage grasses (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu and Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça). Shoot cuttings were performed at 45 and 95 days after sowing. Shoot dry mass accumulation and absorbed Si foliar concentrations were quantified, besides soil pH, Ca, P, Al, and V values, after grass harvesting. Calcium silicate application induced higher absorption of Si in Marandu, as well as in Mombaça. Marandu cultivar dry mass accumulation did not differ from Mombaça. Calcium silicate application increased pH and soil base saturation decreased the aluminum level.
KEY-WORDS: Brachiaria brizantha; Panicum maximum; silicon; acidity correction.
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