Perfilhamento e características estruturais do capim-Mombaça, adubado com fontes de fósforo, em pastejo

Abstract

The experiment was conducted from December/2002 to April/2003, with the objective of evaluating the effects of different phosphate sources (Yoorin® magnesium thermophosphate, Simple Superphosphate + Triple Superphosphate, Gafsa natural phosphate, and control – no phosphate application) as a function of the evaluation months, on leaf area index (LAI), tiller weight (P) and number, percentage of total leaf and stem (%) and leaf blade/stem ratio of Mombaça grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça). The experiment design was a randomized block, with three replications. Phosphate sources influenced (p < 0.05) the weight and number of tillers, while Yoorin® had less weight per tiller, and the Gafsa phosphate obtained the lowest number of tillers. There was a period effect (p < 0.05) for all evaluated variables. The lowest LAI was observed in April, and the highest in February, showing adaptation to a new reproductive cycle. There was little phosphorous influence on tillering; however, soluble phosphate increased the weight of tillers, while the period increased leaf presence.