Liquid lime and conventional agricultural lime in soil acidity correction and characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna

W.B.S. Santos, F.F. Silva, T.M. Neto, I.C. Dutra*, J.F. Muricy, C.J. Santos, A.J.V. Pires, G.C. Dutra, M.S. Nogueira, G.R.S. Oliveira, R.B. Mendes and D.C. Jesus

State University of Southwest of Bahia, BR45700-000 Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil
*Correspondence: ingriidyduutra@gmail.com

Abstract:

The effect of applying liquid limestone and conventional limestone together with regrowth in correcting soil acidity and characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna was evaluated. The treatments were randomly distributed in a 3×3 factorial scheme, with three soil corrections: 1) control; 2) conventional limestone; 3) liquid limestone and three regrowths with a cutting interval of 21 days at 10 cm from the soil, with 4 replicates. The soil pH and base saturation were evaluated in each regrowth in the 0 to 20 cm layer, in addition to the production and bromatological characteristics of Braúna grass. Conventional limestone was efficient in increasing the pH, saturation and production of root dry matter. There was a regrowth effect, where there was an increase in the levels of dry matter, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose, and a reduction in the levels of crude protein. The use of conventional limestone is recommended to correct acidity and increase base saturation, as there is greater root development. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna is influenced by regrowth at successive cutting intervals of 21 days, with reduced productivity at each cut and reduced crude protein content.

Key words:

Productive and biochemical responses of Marandu grass under fertilization protocols

I.C. Dutra*, A.J.V. Pires, R.R. Jardim, H.S. Silva, B.E.F. Santos, N.V. Silva, A.S. Ribeiro, G.C. Dutra, C.A.A.O. Filho, P.P.P. Publio, A.P.G. Silva and M.S. Nogueira

State University of Southwest of Bahia, BR45700-000, Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil
*Correspondence: ingriidyduutra@gmail.com

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of liming and chemical fertilization protocols, containing different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), on the photosynthetic pigments, productive characteristics and carbohydrate concentration of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu. Five fertilization protocols were evaluated (PK fertilizer combination; NP fertilizer combination; NK fertilizer combination; NPK fertilizer combination; and without fertilizer – control), associated or not with soil correction via liming, in a completely randomized design, with four replicates. The experimental units consisted of plastic pots with a capacity of 12 liters, which were filled with 10 dm³ of sandy clay loam soil. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, with 80% cultural value were used. With the corrected soil, the NP protocol provided greater production of dry mass of residue (PMSRE), root volume, leaf area, leaf area index, total sugar content (AST) and starch in the root, compared to the other protocols. Without liming, the NP protocol provided greater production of aerial part dry mass (PMSPA), root volume, leaf aerial volume, leaf aerial index and AST content in leaves, roots and residue. The NPK protocol, with liming, was 73% higher in chlorophyll a content, 50% in carotenoid content, 90% in PMSPA, 78% in leaf area and 76.2% in leaf area index, compared to the soil without correction. The use of NP fertilization with liming is recommended as it provides positive responses on the photosynthetic pigments, productive characteristics and total sugar content of Marandu grass.

Key words:

Brachiaria brizantha, chlorophyll, limestone, nitrogen, Phosphorus, starch