Nitrogen Fertilization of Marandu Palisadegrass under Different Periods of Deferment

The goal with this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics, nutritive value and the forage dry matter (DM) accumulation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in different stages of deferment under nitrogen fertilization levels. The experimental design was a randomized block in split-plot, with three replicates. Plot treatments corresponded to two levels of fertilization (with and without). Split-plot treatments corresponded to four deferment periods (March, April, May, June). Plant height and forage DM accumulation increased (P = .05), while the leaves percentage decreased according to the deferral months. Regarding the fertilization, the percentage of leaves was lower (P= .05) with nitrogen use. The DM content was higher (P = .05) in pastures deferred for a longer time. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content increased due to fertilization and greater deferral period. The crude protein (CP) level decreased as the deferral periods. Nitrogen fertilization proved to be viable for the production of good quality forage. The reduction in the deferment period produces forage with better morphological composition and nutritive value.