African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6859

Full Length Research Paper

Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in elephant-grass for energy use

Jose Augusto de Almeida Sant'Ana
  • Jose Augusto de Almeida Sant'Ana
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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Rogerio Figueiredo Daher
  • Rogerio Figueiredo Daher
  • Agrcultural Enginneering Laboratoer, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ, Brazil.
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Niraldo Jose Ponciano
  • Niraldo Jose Ponciano
  • Agrcultural Enginneering Laboratoer, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ, Brazil.
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Marcia Maria Paes Santos
  • Marcia Maria Paes Santos
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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Alexandre Pio Viana
  • Alexandre Pio Viana
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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Erik da Silva Oliveira
  • Erik da Silva Oliveira
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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Francisco Jose da Silva Ledo
  • Francisco Jose da Silva Ledo
  • Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora – MG, Brazil.
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Bruna Rafaela da Silva Menezes
  • Bruna Rafaela da Silva Menezes
  • Genetics Department, Faculty of Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica – RJ, Brazil.
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Carlos Lacy Santos
  • Carlos Lacy Santos
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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Wallace Luís de Lima
  • Wallace Luís de Lima
  • Instituto Federal Fluminense, Campus Alegre – ES, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 04 November 2016
  •  Accepted: 15 February 2018
  •  Published: 19 April 2018

Abstract

Nitrogen is the mineral element that plants most require. Its deficiency quickly inhibits plant growth. Excessive nitrogen fertilization raises the cost of biomass production. Therefore, there is a need to find the appropriate dose of nitrogen fertilizer that provides greater efficiency in dry matter production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers on the chemical composition of the biomass of elephant-grass for energy use. A randomized-blocks experimental design in a split-plot arrangement was adopted. Three elephant-grass genotypes were evaluated (Guaçu/IZ.2, Cameroon-Piracicaba, and Capim Cana D’África) with five levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kg ha–1), as urea, and four levels of phosphate fertilization (50, 100, 200 and 400 kg ha–1), as single superphosphate. Results showed that the chemical composition, determined by the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose (CEL), and lignin (LIG), contents displayed values that qualified the researched genotypes for energy use. Nitrogen applications had a quadratic effect on NDF and LIG contents in genotype Guaçu/IZ.2. A maximum dose of nitrogen fertilizer that will provide greater efficiency in the use of nitrogen for energy use varies among elephant-grass genotypes.
 
Key words: acid detergent fiber, cellulose, lignin, neutral detergent fiber.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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