Characterization of vegetative and reproductive tillers as a basis to recommend heights and nitrogen doses for the stockpillage of Marandu palisade grass

RESUMO

This article aims to determine the adequate pasture height and the nitrogen dose at the beginning of the deferral period for Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (Marandu palisade grass). Two pasture heights (15 and 30 cm) and four nitrogen doses (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) were evaluated in a completely randomized factorial (4x2) design with three replications. A linear increase in the number of vegetative tillers was observed with the application of nitrogen in the 15-cm deferred pasture. The lengths of stem and leaf blades of tillers increased linearly with the application of nitrogen. The weight of the vegetative tillers was greater in the 30-cm deferred pasture, compared to the 15-cm one when the pasture was fertilized with 0 and 40 kg ha-1 of N. The nitrogen fertilization linearly increased the weight of both the vegetative tillers in the 15-cm deferred pastures and the reproductive tillers in the 30-cm deferred pastures. The recommendation is that Marandu palisade grass be deferred with 15 cm and fertilized with 80 kg ha-1 of N at the beginning of the deferment period.