AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa SUBMITTED TO PHOSPHATE FERTILIZATION WITH AND WITHOUT LIME IN MAINTENANCE

Abstract

The loss of productivity in pastures has been attributed to several factors, over time, among which we can highlight the lack of maintenance fertilizer and phosphorus deficiency in the soil. From this perspective, the objective was to evaluate the agronomic performance of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça submitted to different levels of fertilization with phosphorus (P), with and without liming in the maintenance phase, under grazing, in a medium technology system, in order to contribute to the most productive and sustainable livestock activity. The experiment was carried out under local environmental field conditions in the recreation sector of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Tocantins (IFTO) - Campus Araguatins in a total area of 480 m². The experimental design used was the randomized blocks (DBC), with four replications, totaling 32 experimental plots. The experiment consisted of four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 80 and 120 kg ha^-1 of P₂O₅), with and without liming. Statistical analyzes were performed with the aid of the SISVAR software. The results of the laboratory and field analyzes were submitted to variance analysis and means compared by the Scott-Knott test at the level of 5% probability. M. maximus cv. Mombaça showed better productive results with doses of 80 kg ha^-1 of P₂O₅and 120 kg ha^-1 of P₂O₅, in production of green and dry matter. The pasture obtained an increase in productivity and in percentage of dry matter with the dose of 30 kg ha^-1 of P₂O₅ in the maintenance phase, when preceded by the correction of the soil with liming, in the local environmental conditions of Cerrado-Amazônia in the city of Araguatins, state of Tocantins.