Characterization of tillers in deferred Piata palisade grass with different initial heights and nitrogen levels

Braulio Maia De Lana Sousa,Hélio Henrique Vilela,Andreza Luzia Santos,Carlindo Santos Rodrigues,Camila Zimmer De Assis,Domicio Do Nascimento Júnior,Gabriel De Oliveira Rocha,Manoel Eduardo Rozalino Santos

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000700009

Braulio Maia De Lana Sousa, Hélio Henrique Vilela + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982012000700009

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Abstract

This experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of nitrogen fertilization associated with the initial height of the Piata palisade grass on the number and structural characteristics of individual tillers after the deferment period. An area with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata measuring approximately 288 m2 was used. Combinations of levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 75 and 150 kg/ha of nitrogen) and initial heights of the sward (low - 20 cm, medium - 30 cm and high - 40 cm) were evaluated. The experimental design was of completely randomized blocks in subdivided plots with three replications. The number of vegetative tillers, the stem length of the vegetative, reproductive and dead tillers, and the number of dead leaves of the reproductive and the dead tillers linearly increased with the elevation in the nitrogen level. The deferred Piata palisade grass with low initial height showed lower number of dead basal tillers, shorter length of stems and leaf blades in reproductive tillers and lower number of live and dead leaves in vegetative tillers in relation to the one managed with height considered medium and high. Nitrogen fertilization, in association with low initial height, provides the optimization of forage of Piata palisade grass in deferment conditions.

Highlights

The seasonality of forage production on pastures generates the need for the use of strategies to provide the herd with food during periods of scarcity
With the release of new cultivars of forage grasses, such as Piata palisade grass, it becomes necessary to carry out studies to determine the best strategy to use in deferment conditions
Under deferment conditions of the pasture usage, the initial height of the sward can influence the production, the morphological composition, the population density, and the characteristics of individual tillers of deferred pasture. This happens due to the effect of height on the leaf area remaining after the cutting, which determines the growth rate of tissues during the deferment period (Sousa et al, 2011)

Summary

Introduction

The seasonality of forage production on pastures generates the need for the use of strategies to provide the herd with food during periods of scarcity. Under deferment conditions of the pasture usage, the initial height of the sward can influence the production, the morphological composition, the population density, and the characteristics of individual tillers of deferred pasture. This happens due to the effect of height on the leaf area remaining after the cutting, which determines the growth rate of tissues during the deferment period (Sousa et al, 2011)

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