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Agronomic efficiency of nitrogen and production of Cynodon plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilg. Depending on two cutting frequencies

Abstract:

Nitrogen fertilization and cutting frequency are essential to improve the production and nutritional quality of forage crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of N and performance of the Cynodon plectostachyus star grass based on two cutoff frequencies under low tropic conditions. The treatments consisted of five levels of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and two cutoff frequencies (30 and 45 days). The variables evaluated were dry matter yield (DM) and agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) application. The production of DM and AEN were significantly influenced (p < 0.01) by the levels of N, cutoff frequencies and the respective interaction, except for AEN where the interaction was not significant (p > 0.05). DM and AEN showed a linear behavior with an increase in N, regardless of the cutoff frequencies. Similarly, DM and AEN performance increased with the higher cutoff frequency. DM increased by 8.39; 14.40; 20.14 and 26.24% with 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, respectively, with respect to the plot with no N application. The average AEN was 2.72; 3.35; 3.59 and 4.18 kg of DM kg-1 of N applied with 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, respectively. However, levels of 150 and 200 were statistically equal. The dose of 150 kg of N ha-1 would be sufficient for grass fertilization.