Avaliação morfológica do capim massai em diferentes idades de cortes

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the growth curve of grass (Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai) as a function of cutting ages. The statistical design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments (15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 days), and with four repetitions.The work was carried out in the experimental field of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Tocantins, Araguaína campus. The following variables were evaluated: plant height, number of tillers, percentage of components (leaves, stalks and dead material), leaf:stem ratio and total dry mass. Analysis of variance with regression was used to assess the effects of cutting age and the Tukey test for growth effects. The grass showed a linear and polynomial development pattern throughout the growing season. The variables Height, Total dry mass, percentage of leaf dry mass and dead material dry mass showed a linear response, while the leaf/stem ratio showed a polynomial response. There was no significant difference (P>0.01) for number of tillers and dry mass of the stalk and the most adequate cutting age, aiming to reconcile productivity and quality in this grass, is around 45 days.