Macroelementos no Tecido Foliar e Produtividade do Capim Mombaça sob Níveis de Sombreamento na Amazônia.

Abstract

The adoption of conservationist systems such as agroforestry is indicative of nutritional quality of forage species. The objective was to evaluate primary and secondary macroelements in leaf tissue and dry matter content of Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus) with shade levels in Amazonia. The trial was allocated in a completely randomized design, with six replicates for each of three treatments - three levels of shading, totaling eighteen experimental units. The measured variables consisted of values of the primary macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and secondary (calcium and magnesium) contents in the leaf tissue and dry matter content of the Mombasa grass. Shading is an important factor in increasing the nutritional value of the Mombasa forage, especially when considering the macroelements for ruminants, which may reduce the nutritional load used for grazing cattle in the silvopastoral system. On the other hand the low production of dry matter requires a balance point. Thus, the treatment, shading 25% presented the best performance from a productive and qualitative point of view.