QUALITY SOIL CHEMICAL AND PRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF ELEPHANT GRASS SUBMITTED TO CHEMICAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZATION

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effects of chemical and organic fertilization on soil quality and the variable production of elephant grass. Were two areas formed of tall grasslands in a floor area of 0.65 ha divided into two equal parts and used two fertilization systems (chemical fertilizer and organic manure). We used a randomized block design, with six blocks with three replicates per treatment (chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer) in each block. Quality soil checked by comparisons between the soil before and after fertilization. The plant was evaluated for height, age, production of dry mass ha-1, dry matter content and leaf: stem ratio. Based on the age of the plant, were calculated yields of dry matter ha day-1 and the growth rate. The data were analyzed by regression analysis. The organic fertilization has promoted better quality soil chemical, mainly by changing the values of calcium and phosphorus. The productivity of the plants was also best in organic fertilization system, verifying larger growth rate and production of dry mass ha day-1. The application of bovine manure in elephant grass allowed to raise the rate base saturation above 60%, improve the organic matter content in the soil and, can thus provide greater flexibility in the frequency of use of pasture regarding chemically fertilized. The bovine manure provided a better productivity for elephant grass compared to chemical fertilizer due to change in the characteristics of plant growth.