Biotemas (Mar 2012)

Growth analysis of two Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf. (Poaceae) cultivars

  • Pedro Luiz da Costa Aguiar Alves,
  • Carlos Henrique Oliveira Macedo,
  • Naomi Cristina Meister,
  • Leonardo Dimas do Carmo Vieira,
  • Liziane de Figueiredo Brito,
  • João Paulo Ramos Costa,
  • Ana Claudia Ruggieri

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 17 – 22

Abstract

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This study was carried out with the aim of comparing the growth and primary yield of two cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha through growth analysis. The experiment was held in a greenhouse at the College of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences in the Jaboticabal Campus of Unesp. The cultivars of Marandu and Piatã were evaluated every seven days of growth during ten weeks. At each assessment, the total dry matter (TDM) and leaf area were measured to estimate the leaf area index (LAI). The LAI and TDM data were fitted to the equations and underwent the test of significance for regressions. Through the adjusted equations the physiological indices were obtained: crop growth rate (CBT), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and leaf area ratio (LAR). The Piatã cultivar showed a higher primary yield and a more efficient accumulation of photoassimilates.doi: 10.5007/2175-7925.2012v25n1p17Biotemas, 25 (1): 17-22, 2012

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