Morphogenesis of the giant missionary grass in response to pig slurry fertilization

Abstract

The morphogenesis of giant missionary grass (Axonopus jesuticus x A. scoparius) was evaluated in this study in response to the application of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200m³ ha-1year-1 of pig slurry, calculated to provide 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500kg N ha-1year-1, respectively. The experiment was carried out in the field, at Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2010-2011. The doses were fractioned in four applications, performed after the pasture cuttings, during the growth season of the grass. Morphogenetic evaluations were performed weekly between 10/26/2010 and 12/07/2010 (spring), 12/14/2010 and 01/11/2011 (late spring/early summer), 01/18/2011 and 02/07/2011 (summer), and 02/15/2011 and 03/21/2011 (late summer). The leaf senescence, leaf elongation, and pseudoculm elongation rates, canopy and pseudoculm heights, leaf blade length, and tillering increased because of fertilization. The application of pig slurry as a source of nitrogen alters the tissue flow of giant missionary grass, which requires attention to pasture management in order to maximize the efficiency of forage use and to prevent losses of herbage by leaf senescence.