Structure of differed Marandu palisade grass with variables nitrogen doses and heights

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of height (15 and 30 cm)
and nitrogen dose (N, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) at the beginning of the
stockpiling period on the structural characteristics of the Urochloa
brizantha cv. Marandu (Marandu palisade grass) during winter. The
falling index of the plant did not vary with the factors under scrutiny
(P>0,10). The number of basal tillers was higher (P<0,10) in the 15-cm
deferred canopy than in the 30-cm canopy only when the highest N dose
was used. Under conditions of application of 0 or 80 kg ha-1 of N, the 30-cm
stockpiled canopies showed a higher (P<0,10) forage mass than the 15-cm
ones. Associated with reduced canopy height at the beginning of
stockpiling period, nitrogen fertilization improves the morphological
composition of Marandu palisade grass. To maximize the forage mass in
the dry season, the canopies of Marandu palisade grass can be deferred
either at 15 cm (fertilized with about 100 kg ha-1 of N) or at 30 cm (with no
nitrogen fertilization) at the beginning of the stockpiling period.