TROPICAL GRASS MANAGED UNDER INTERMITTENT LOTATION, SUBMITTED TO PHOSPHORUS SOURCES WITH DIFFERENT SOLUBILITIES, ASSOCIATED OR NOT TO NITROGEN FERTILIZER

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenic and structural characteristics of piatã grass submitted to intermittent stocking and fertilized with phosphorus sources of different solubilities and nitrogen fertilization. The treatments were: control (without phosphate fertilizer application); slow solubility phosphorus source (FNR); fast solubility phosphorus source (FSS) and mixed solubility phosphorus source (FSM), whether or not associated with nitrogen fertilization. Measurements of pre-demarcated tillers were performed to evaluate the structural and morphogenic characteristics of the plants. Data were analyzed according to a randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement within each season. The minimum squared means of phosphate fertilizer treatments were compared with the control treatment by Dunnet test, and among themselves by the "t" test and the means of use or not of nitrogen fertilization were compared to each other by the "t" test at 5 % of significance. Sources containing readily available phosphorus, as in the FSS and FSM treatments, promoted greater leaf and stem elongation, as well as greater number and appearance of leaves, which highlights the importance of phosphorus and nitrogen availability in plant growth and development. confirmed by the increase in leaf elongation rate, leaf appearance and stem elongation. Thus, nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers are alternatives for the persistence and competitiveness of pasture livestock production. Regarding the source, the use of phosphorus sources with mixed solubility provides this nutrient in the short, medium and long term.
Keywords: morphogenic characterization; pasture fertilization; pasture production; Urochloa brizantha cv.BRS Piatan.