EFFECT OF LIMING ON DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION OF 3 GRASSES

A greenhouse investigation was carried out to study the effects of liming on the dry matter (DM) production of the grasses Brachiaria brizantha (Hoscht.) Stapf. cv. Marandu, Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Planaltina and Panicum maximum Jacq cv. Aruana, cultivated on a Dark-Red Latosol, medium texture. The liming levels were obtained through the addition of carbonates in a Ca:Mg ratio of 4:1, necessary to increase the degree of base saturation (V%) to the following values; 4% (control), 20%, 36%, 52%, 68% and 84%. During the experimental period (180 days), four cuts were done to determine the DM production. The results indicated that the DM production was increased (P<0,05) with the liming-levels increased to the three grasses. Panicum maximum cv. Aruana yielded the lower DM quantity, but it presented a better response to liming. The inverse was observed in relation to A. gayanus. The data allowed to conclude that the DM production increased by liming and when the V% level was lower than 50%, it will be increased to 70% for establishment.