Production and morphophysiological responses of Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri to water availability

Abstract

Due to the increasing intensification of livestock farming and agricultural systems, there is demand for highly productive forage species. Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri is forage that has good productivity, vigor and promotes good animal performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphophysiological and production characteristics of Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri subjected to water availability in Fluvic Neosol (Entisol). A potted-plant experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Rondonópolis, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five levels of water availability, corresponding to 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 % of the maximum soil water holding capacity, and six replicates, in three successive cuts. The variables analyzed were: soil pH, SPAD index, plant height, leaf area, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, root volume, water consumption and water use efficiency. Water availability influenced the development of Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri, with the highest results between 67 % and 111 % of the maximum soil water holding capacity. The results show that the production and morphological responses were negatively influenced by water availability levels of 25 % and 125 %. These results makes it possible to affirm that, under the studied conditions, the cultivar BRS Zuri showed moderate adaptation to 125% water availability (excess water).