It was conducted an experiment with pearl millet under grazing with different levels of N (0, 250, 300, 450 and 600 kg/ha). The objective was to study the dry matter (DM) production, the utilization efficiency, the recuperation rate, forage density and quality. The experiment was completely randomized design with two replications. Total density and per layer, the distribution and quality of leaf blade, stem and dead material components in distinct pasture layers (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 and >40 cm above soil level) were evaluated. It was used beef heifers in continuous grazing systems, with an offer of 10 kg day of DM to 100 kg of LW. To maintain the intended offer was used the put-and-take technique. The DM production showed a quadratic relation with nitrogen levels. The recuperation rate and utilization efficiency of N showed negative linear relation with nitrogen levels. Occur increase in contribution of leaf blade and decrease in stem and dead material percentage and forage density of lower layer in direction to top of pasture in all treatment. The nitrogen fertilization no change leaf/stem relation and density of pearl millet pasture. The crude protein of stem and dead material showed positive linear relation with nitrogen levels from top to base of pasture and for leaf blade until 30 cm height. The in vitro organic matter digestibility was indifferent to nitrogen levels, except leaf blade above 10 cm, that showed a quadratic relation with nitrogen levels.
density; digestibility; forage production; nitrogen; pearl millet
