Forms of nitrogen fertilizer application in Panicum maximum

Monica Cristina Rezende Zuffo Borges,Marilize Bittencourtt Caldas,Kenio Batista Nogueira,Cassiano Garcia Roque,Andrisley Joaquim Da Silva,Simone Pereira Da Silva Baio,Jéssica Pereira Diniz,Paulo Eduardo Teodoro

doi:10.14393/bj-v36n1a2020-39714

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for increasing the yield and quality of forages. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the different forms of application, spread on the total area using urea fertilizer and foliar using liquid urea, aiming at evaluating the yield and qualitative traits of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, at different times of the year. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks in subdivided plots, with three blocks, four treatments, and three collections. The treatments were applied in March 2015 and consisted of the following treatments: 1-control; 2-urea; 3-liquid urea; 4-urea + liquid urea; 5-urea + micronutrients; 6-urea + N liquid; 7-urea + N liquid + micronutrients; 8-control. Samples were collected in May, October, and December 2015. Crude protein (CP) dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MM), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were evaluated. Results revealed that nitrogen was determinant in improving the yield and forage quality. Treatments with urea spread on total area resulted in increased dry matter production. For the crude protein, the source and the application form are not decisive. Collection time with higher rainfall positively affected the dry matter production, crude protein, and ADF, while urea spread on total area showed the best cost-benefit due to the good results of yield and quality.

Highlights

The interest in the genus Panicum has increased due to the production potential and ease of establishment, characteristics of adaptation, rusticity, and good dry matter production
This study aimed to evaluate the yield and qualitative traits of Panicum maximaum cv Mombaça forages under different fertilization methods, using urea fertilizer and liquid urea at three collection times
The contrast between fertilization forms and control was significant for dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in all cuts; for mineral material (MM), it was significant in cut 1

Summary

Introduction

The interest in the genus Panicum has increased due to the production potential and ease of establishment, characteristics of adaptation, rusticity, and good dry matter production These facts makes it one of the most important forages for the production of beef and dairy cattle in tropical and subtropical climate regions of Brazil. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient in forage productivity because it is linked to the metabolic pathway of the formation of proteins, chloroplasts, and other compounds that participate actively in photosynthesis (PRADO, 2008). This nutrient becomes responsible for the plant development, such as height and the formation of tiller and leaves. It promotes linear plant development, and fertilization rates positively affect the production (FERNANDES, 2011)

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