Forms of nitrogen fertilizer application in Panicum maximum

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for increasing the yield and quality of forages. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the different forms of application, spread on the total area using urea fertilizer and foliar using liquid urea, aiming at evaluating the yield and qualitative traits of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, at different times of the year. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks in subdivided plots, with three blocks, four treatments, and three collections. The treatments were applied in March 2015 and consisted of the following treatments: 1-control; 2-urea; 3-liquid urea; 4-urea + liquid urea; 5-urea + micronutrients; 6-urea + N liquid; 7-urea + N liquid + micronutrients; 8-control. Samples were collected in May, October, and December 2015. Crude protein (CP) dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MM), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were evaluated. Results revealed that nitrogen was determinant in improving the yield and forage quality. Treatments with urea spread on total area resulted in increased dry matter production. For the crude protein, the source and the application form are not decisive. Collection time with higher rainfall positively affected the dry matter production, crude protein, and ADF, while urea spread on total area showed the best cost-benefit due to the good results of yield and quality.

Keywords

• forage productivity
• crude protein
• acid detergent fiber.