Changes in structural attributes of Tifton 85 bermudagrass canopies induced by N rates, during the pasture establishment

Authors

  • Leandro Galzerano Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ
  • Roberto Oscar Pereyra Rossiello Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ
  • Ana Paula Pessim de Oliveira Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ
  • Domingos Sávio Campos Paciullo Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG
  • Mirton José de Frota Morenz Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ
  • Ronan de Pádua Silva Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ

Keywords:

Cynodon spp, frequency of occurrence, leaf area index, PAR interception, ward height

Abstract

Strategies of nitrogen fertilization management in Tifton 85 bermudagrass pastures, based on monitoring changes in sward structural attributes demands previous definition of those more appropriate ones. With this purpose an experiment was carried out at the experimental campus of the Rural Federal University, Seropédica, RJ, from October 2006 to January 2007. Treatments consisted of N fertilization at zero; 50; 100 and 150kg N-urea ha-1, in a single application, several sampling dates, during the pasture establishment, according to an entirely randomized design, with four replications. Treatments were allocated in experimental plots of 4 x 4m, and sampling dates (days after planting, DAP) in sub-plots. The variables studied were: frequency of plants occurrence; sward height, leaf area index (LAI) and interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The results showed that frequency of occurrence, sward height and PAR interception varied temporally according to a logistic pattern, whose parameters were modified, to a greater or lesser degree, by the nitrogen doses added. Similarly, at 87 DAP, LAI values responded in the same way. It was concluded that the application of increasing doses of N during the establishment of Tifton 85, was a limited experimental strategy for induction of quantitative changes during the time course of structural development of swards. However, frequency of occurrence and IAF were the best responsive traits in terms of nitrogen fertilization.

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Published

2008-04-14

Issue

Section

FORAGE CROPS AND PASTURES

How to Cite

Changes in structural attributes of Tifton 85 bermudagrass canopies induced by N rates, during the pasture establishment. (2008). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 65(4), 329-336. http://35.198.24.243/index.php/bia/article/view/1111

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