Carring capacity of Tifton 85 grass forage fertilized with nitrogen managed under continuous stocking with sheep

This trial was conducted to evaluate the tiller population density, biomass and forage bulk density, sheep performance and stocking rate on pastures of Tifton 85 fertilized with nitrogen and subjected to continuous stocking system. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 400 kg/ha/year), arranged in randomized blocks design with four replications were evaluated. The pastures of Tifton 85 were influenced by time of evaluation and nitrogen levels with a marked effect on tillers population density, biomass and forage bulk density, which ended up being crucial to animal performance and stocking rate. When managed in continuous grazing, Tifton 85 provides satisfactory performance of sheep due to the positive effect of nitrogen fertilization on tiller population density, biomass and forage bulk density, allowing better stocking rate.