Production and water-use efficiency of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça “Guinea grass” under nitrogen and boron doses

Abstract

Brazilian cattle production is mainly conducted with the use of cultivated or native forages, which is considered one of the most efficient ways of production. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the production and water-use efficiency of Guinea grass under different associations between nitrogen and boron doses, as well as different regrowth cycles. The experiment field (22o42’14.6” S, 47o37’24.1” W, and 569 - m altitude) has a regional climate classified as Cwa, which stands for a humid subtropical climate. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with a 4×4×11 factorial arrangement consisting of boron (0, 0.181, and 0.363 kg ha-1 cycle-1) and nitrogen (22.7, 45.5, 68.2, and 90.9 kg ha-1 cycle-1) fertilizations, plus 11 regrowth cycles and 4 replications. The pasture of Mombaça “Guinea grass” (Megathyrsus Maximus Syn. Panicum Maximum) was irrigated by a sprinkler system. Unlike boron, nitrogen positively influenced forage production. The cycles had a strong influence on production, with winter cycles being the least productive compared to the others.

Keywords

• Irrigation
• Water-use efficiency
• Pasture
• Tensiometry
• Fertilization.