Effects of nitrogen application on growth characteristics of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens)

Signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) given 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N/ha and protected from defoliation by growing in cages was evaluated for tiller height, tiller density and dry matter (DM) yield in 1979 and 1980. Nitrogen rate had highly significant linear effects on tiller height and densi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of agricultural science 1989-12, Vol.113 (3), p.373-376
Main Authors: Okeagu, M. U., Asiribo, O. E., Akinola, J. O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
dry matter accumulation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agronomy. Plant production
growth
Nitrogen fertilization
nitrogen fertilizers
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizations
Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments
tillering
Urochloa decumbens
yield components
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Summary:Signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) given 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N/ha and protected from defoliation by growing in cages was evaluated for tiller height, tiller density and dry matter (DM) yield in 1979 and 1980. Nitrogen rate had highly significant linear effects on tiller height and density and DM yield of the grass at each age of pasture regrowth and at all the ages of pasture regrowth combined in 1979 and 1980. The quadratic effect of N rate was not significant in either year. The positive linear responses shown by the growth of tillers and the overall yield of the grass at N rates up to 400 kg/ha suggest that further work, using N rates above 400 kg/ha, is needed to ascertain the optimum N requirement of this grass.
ISSN:0021-8596
1469-5146
DOI:10.1017/S0021859600070076