The development of natural hydrogels as water carrying components for controlled release is considered promising in agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a test hydrogel from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), on forage grass genotypes, in comparison to the commercial hydrogel composed of polyacrylamide. The completely randomized design was applied in a factorial scheme (4 × 3) with four grass genotypes, which were two grass genotypes Megathyrsus maximum: Mombaça and Massai and two grass genotypes Urochloa brizantha: Marandu and Paiaguás, associated with three forms of hydration: no hydrogel, test hydrogel and commercial hydrogel in four replications. Some morphogenetic, structural and production characteristics of the grass had significant effect of the forms of hydration, and there was effect also on the different grasses for production characteristics, showing greater growth with the use of hydrogel. The contents of crude protein and fiber were influenced by the form of hydration in the studied grasses, obtaining higher values with the use of hydrogel. The use of hydrogel improves agronomic characteristics, chemical and mineral composition of the grass genotypes. In addition, the cashew gum hydrogel showed similar or better results than polyacrylamide hydrogel on the growth and production of the grasses.Graphical
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