Efficiency of genotypes of Brachiaria brizantha Stapf. (Syn: Urochloa brizantha) in biomass production under phosphorus application

This study aimed to evaluate biomass production and agronomic efficiency as a result of the supply of phosphorus in different genotypes of Brachiaria brizantha. The experimental design was completely randomized, with eight treatments consisting of five varieties (Arapoty, Capipora, Marandu, and Piata Xaraes) and three accessions of the genebank of the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Gado de Corte (B5, B10 and B12) with the application or not of phosphorus. The plants were grown in soil originally with 4.1 mg dm(-3) phosphorus. We evaluated the root dry mass (MSR), leaf (MSF), shoot (MSPA) and agronomic efficiency (EA). Data were tested for Doon's at 5% probability. MSR production was increased by the application of P in Arapoty, Capipora, and Piata Xaras varieties, where the average values without phosphorus were 5.1, 7.4, 7.2 and 5.8g pot(-1) while with P application they were 9.4, 10.6, 11.9 and 8.4g pot(-1), respectively. For both variables MSF and MSPA, P promoted increased production of all genotypes, producing on average 2.1 and 2.8g pot(-1) respectively, without the supply of P, whereas with the supply of P it produced 3.8 and 5.5g pot(-1), respectively for MSF and MSPA. Both genotypes Arapoty and B5 were the most efficient in the use of P. The B12 genotype showed greater adaptation for growing in soils with low concentrations of P, while the Arapoty variety excelled when performed applying phosphate fertilizer. The genotypes B5 and Arapoty had higher P use efficiency, being able to indicate these materials for breeding programs of this species.