African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Performance of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’ under different doses and forms of limestone application in the Amazon

Ana Caroline Messias de Magalhaes
  • Ana Caroline Messias de Magalhaes
  • Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Ceará, Mister Hull Avenue - 60021-970, Fortaleza, Brazil.
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Luis Henrique Ebling Farinatti
  • Luis Henrique Ebling Farinatti
  • Departament of Animal Production, Federal University do Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.
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Maurifran Oliveira Lima
  • Maurifran Oliveira Lima
  • Departament of Soil Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Paulo Gama, 110 - Farroupilha, Porto Alegre - RS, 90040-060, Brazil.
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Edson Alves de Araujo
  • Edson Alves de Araujo
  • Departament of Soil Science, Federal University of Acre, Campus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil.
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Fernando Bezerra Lopes
  • Fernando Bezerra Lopes
  • Department Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Ceará Mister Hull Avenue - 60021-970, Fortaleza, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 10 September 2017
  •  Accepted: 27 September 2017
  •  Published: 26 October 2017

Abstract

Acid soils have been responsible for the poor performance of most plant species, and liming is an efficient way of correcting the pH of such soils. The aim of this study was to assess the performance and establishment of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’ under different doses and forms of limestone application. The experimental design was of five doses of limestone (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1) and two forms of application (broadcasting over the surface, and broadcasting followed by hoeing the top 20 cm of soil) with three replications, in 3 x 3 metre plots of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’. The greatest number of germinated seeds was at the dose of 4 t ha-1 limestone when incorporated into the soil. For height, the greatest values found were at the maximum dose of limestone when incorporated into the soil. Dry matter production was not influenced by the form of limestone application, however production increased with the supply of limestone. The hybrid variety proved easily adaptable to different soil and climate conditions.

 

Key words: Liming,  tropical pasture, fodder availability, dry matter.