Abstract
ABSTRACT This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on tillering dynamics of Alexandergrass (Urochloa plantaginea (Link) Hitch) grazed by beef heifers in a rotational stocking grazing method. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design following a repeated measure arrangement, three levels of nitrogen (Zero, 150 and 300kg ha-1) and two area repetition. The classification of tillers into categories (basal and axillary) showed a greater number of basal tillers, due to their higher appearance rate, in the absence of nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization promoted higher axillary tiller density. The use of nitrogen promotes the renewal of axillary tillers of Alexandergrass, without compromising the stability of the tiller population.
Highlights
The beef cattle industry in Brazil is a pasturebased activity and among the most used forages plants of the genus Urochloa stand out
This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of tillering of Alexandergrass forage as grazed in response to nitrogen fertilization
Higher stocking rates were observed in the paddocks that received nitrogen fertilizer, regardless of the level (P< 0.10; 2506.1±102.1kg ha-1 body weight (BW))
Summary
The beef cattle industry in Brazil is a pasturebased activity and among the most used forages plants of the genus Urochloa stand out. Forages of this genus occupy an area of 94 million hectares, 55% of the total area used for pasture in Brazil (Ferraz, 2003). Plants of the genus Urochloa exhibit great flexibility of use and management, and Alexandergrass is known for its spontaneous occurrence in summer crops. It is considered a weed, it has high production potential and favorable characteristics for grazing, besides high digestibility (Oliveira Neto et al, 2013). According to Garcez Neto et al (2002), tillering is the structural characteristic that determines the morphological
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