Growth index in massai grass under different levels of nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the growth index of massai grass during two regrowth cycles in a greenhouse under five levels of nitrogen (0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg N/dm3 of soil) and eight growth ages (5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 days) in a split-plot design with five replications. The following variables were evaluated: net assimilation rate, herbage growth rate, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio and specific leaf area. The effect of nitrogen was detected on the variables net assimilation rate (regrowths 1 and 2), leaf area ratio (regrowth 1), leaf weight ratio (regrowths 1 and 2), specific leaf area (regrowths 1 and 2) and herbage growth rate (regrowths 1 and 2). The growth ages influenced the relative growth rate (regrowth 2) and the net assimilation rate (regrowth 2). The net assimilation rate presented linear effect, estimated in 0.70 and 2.86 g/m2 leaf.day-1 for the 0 and 600 mg N/dm3 soil, respectively (regrowth 1). For each milligram of N/dm3 added, the leaf area ratio was reduced in 0.0000258 m2 leaf/g plant (regrowth 1). The herbage growth rate was estimated in 1.38 and 37.02 g/m2.day-1 (regrowth 1), and 4.37 and 32.20 g/m2.day-1 (regrowth 2) for the 0 and 600 mg N/dm3 soil, respectively. The massai grass' growth is favored by nitrogen fertilization, and little do the growth ages affect the growth index of the plants.