Forage production, morphogenesis and agronomic efficiency in Panicum maximum BRS Quênia under nitrogen levels

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilization modifies the morphogen patterns of forage growth. Therefore, studies on the response of newly introduced plants, such as BRS Quênia, to fertilization can contribute greatly with the recommendation of management strategies and more appropriate doses of fertilizer. The objective with this research was to evaluate aboveground and root dry mass production and the morphogenetic and structural characteristics, as well as the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in Panicum maximum cv. BRS Quênia, without fertilization and submitted to nitrogen levels (50, 100 and 200 mg.dm^-3). The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse in a completely randomized design whit four replication. Production characteristics and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of the plants were evaluated. The grass BRS Quênia responded to nitrogen fertilization for all characteristics evaluated. Leaf proportions were higher than stem proportions, regardless of nitrogen fertilization. There were larger increases in aboveground mass production than root production. The increase in fertilization implied in a shorter interval between the emergence of leaves of BRS Quênia grass, as well as increased number of tillers per plant. As nitrogen fertilization increases, there is a decrease in fertilizer efficiency. Nitrogen fertilization positively influences forage production in Panicum maximum BRS Quênia plants and, independently of nitrogen dosage, the aboveground mass acts as the main nitrogen drain.