Morphogenetic traits and biomass accumulation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes subjected to nitrogen doses

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the morphogenetic traits and biomass accumulation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes subjected to doses of N (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 kg.ha(-1) N). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Morphogenetic traits and biomass accumulation of dry matter (DM).ha(-1) were evaluated. The results were subjected to statistical analysis by grouping the data in two periods, rainy season and throughout the year. Nitrogen doses influenced leaf appearance in the rainy season and throughout the year, with significant increase in leaf elongation during the rainy season, an increase of 56% compared with control. During this period, maximum dose of N (248.1 kg.ha(-1)) produced 214.49 kg.ha(-1). day(-1) DM of leaf blade, which was 133% higher than the control. However, the higher N dose in the rainy season resulted in an increase of 137% in the stalk accumulation compared with non-fertilized grass; estimating maximum accumulation of salk of 84.97 kg. ha(-1). day(-1) of DM for the application of 326.2 kg.ha(-1) N. Doses of N also intensified leaf senescence during the rainy season and throughout the year. The control treatment presented 32% less senescence compared with maximum N dose (270.1 kg.ha(-1) N) in the rainy season. Forage loss was estimated at 26.08 kg ha(-1).day(-1) DM at the maximum dose of 295.0 kg.ha(-1) N for this period. All variables studied responded positively to N supply in the rainy season. The accumulation of biomass of the plant reached the maximum point with fertilization close to 250 kg.ha(-1) N in the rainy season and 375 kg. ha(-1) N throughout the year.