The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of three levels of artificial shade (0, 30 and 60%) on dry matter production, nitrogen content and morphological characteristics of six forage grasses (Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, B. decumbens, Melinis minutiflora, Panicum maximum cv. Vencedor and Setaria anceps cv. Kazungula). A randomized block design, with split plots and four replicates, was used; the shading levels were allotted to the plots and the species to the split plots. The results showed that shading affected the production of dry matter, the nitrogen content and the morphological characteristics of the evaluated species. The production of forage was differentially affected by the shade. The dry matter production of P. maximum cv. Vencedor was 19.72% higher, at moderate shade than in broad daylight. The forage production of S. anceps cv. Kazungula, however, was not affected by the shade. The dry matter production of other species decreased with the reduction of the light. In all species there was an increase of N content and reduction of the content of dry matter of the forage, which became juicier in the shade. The morphological characteristics did not show a standard behavior, which varied according to the studied specie.
morphological characteristics; nitrogen; artificial shading
