Agronomic characteristics of “Brachiaria decumbens” under intensities and frequencies of cut and fertilization

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate agronomic characteristics of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. under intensities and frequencies of cut and nitrogen fertilization, in Areia-PB. An completely randomized block design was used, with four replicates, in a split plot scheme, where in the plot was a combination of two heights of cut (40 e 50cm) and two stubble heights (15 e 25cm) and the splited plot (with or without nitrogen fertilization). The Variables total and by cutting fresh matter and dry matter production; leaf, steam and death of dry matter percentage; leaf/steam ratio; leaf, steam, death matter and net dry matter accumulation rates were evaluated. Total dry matter production presented differences observed among cutting intensities, and the 25/40 showed an increment of 42% in relation to 40-15 cutting intensity. Leaf percentage was higher in treatments with height of cut of 50cm in relation to treatments with 40cm height of cut. Fertilization increased net dry matter accumulation rate in 84%. Nitrogen fertilization increases productivity of Brachiaria and when combined with the height of residue 25 and 40cm cutting increases the growth rate and decreases the time intervals between cutting or grazing.