NITROGEN FERTILIZATION IN MASSAIGRASS: PRODUCTION AND MORPHOGENESIS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic and structural characteristics, as well as the biomass of Panicum maximumcv. Massai plants under nitrogen levels. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four treatments (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N/ha) and four replications in plots of 4 m2. The nitrogen was applied according to the treatments. Massaigrass plants responded linear and positively to N fertilization with a significant increase in the rates of elongation, appearance and senescence of leaves, stem elongation, and number of live leaves per tiller and the final length of the blade. On the other hand, the nitrogen decreased the phyllochron and leaf life span of the massaigrass, indicating a direct effect of nitrogen flow in the tissues. There was positive and linear effect of N fertilization on total dry matter of leaf and stem, but there was no effect on dry matter of dead material. Nitrogen fertilization influences tillering, morphogenesis and biomass production in massaigrass plants.