SHADING AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON SOIL ATTRIBUTES IN A PASTURE OF BRACHIARIA BRIZANTHA CV. MARANDU

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of nitrogen fertilization and artificial shade on the attributes of soil and forage in a pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu (BBM). The experiment was conducted at Fazenda Águas Formosas in Caeté, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 19º47’39’’S,43º36’77’’W, altitude 1000 m. The soil is a Red latosol by the Brazilian soil classification (Typic Acrustox - USDA classification). BBM was subjected to four levels of fertilization (0, 50, 70 and 100 kg N per hectare per application) and four levels of shading (0, 47, 53 and 66%) through a nylon mesh. Shading reduced the mineralization of organic matter, affecting the lower availability of complexed nutrients. N application favored the exportation of most nutrients assessed. Nutrient content tended to decrease with depth.