Nitrogen and base saturation in the performance of pojuca grass (Paspalum atratum Swalen cv. Pojuca) grown in pots

This work aimed to evaluate the growth and dry matter production of Pojuca grass grown in haplic Gleysol. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse of the Soil Science Department of the Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil. The sowing of seeds was performed in plastic pots without holes, with a capacity of 4 dm³ each of soil. The treatments consisted of four doses of N (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/dm³) and four levels of base saturation (40, 50, 60 and 80%). The experimental design was in a randomized complete blocks, making up a 4 x 4 factorial scheme with four replicates. Three cuts at the height of 4 cm from soil level were proceed. Previous for the first cut, the tiller appearance rate (TAR), tiller elongation rate (TER) and leaf appearance rate (LAR) were studied. Also, dry matter (DM) yield and tiller density (TD) were assessed. The N doses increased (P<0.05) morphogenic variables TAR and TER, whereas no significance (P>0.05) was observed for LAR. Nitrogen fertilization provided increases in TD and DM yield of Pojuca grass. No significant response was observed for increased levels of base saturation of the soil for the studied variables. It was concluded that application of N is indispensable for a good growth and good DM production of the Pojuca grass, being not needed to raise the base saturation level of the soil above 40% in haplic Gleysol.

Dry matter yield; leaf appearance rate; tiller appearance rate; tiller density; tiller elongation rate