The 4R management for nitrogen fertilization in tropical forage: A review

Abstract

Most of the tropical soils that are intended for pastures are degraded or are at a certain stage of degradation. In this context, the use of nitrogen fertilization increases the quantity as well as the quality of the fodder produced and also accelerates growth, tillering, leaf production, and consequently, expansion of the aerial region and the root system. The present review of the literature aims to determine how the control of the source, location, time, and the application of a right dose of nitrogen fertilizer influences and benefits the entire ecosystem in tropical pastures with the correct use of 4R management, along with increasing the forage yields in these areas. The results showed that in tropical pastures, the recommended N dose varies with the cultivar used and the expected forage production and ranges from 50 to 500 kg N ha–1year–1, irrespective of division in grazing cycles, with distribution in the entire pasture area.