MORPHOGENIC CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOMASS ACCUMULATION OF MEGATHYRSUS MAXIMUS CV. BRS TAMANI UNDER DOSES OF AMMONIUM SULFATE

Abstract

Brazilian livestock farming is primarily based on pasture production, which is fundamental to the efficiency of animal production systems. In this context, the nutritional management of forage crops, especially nitrogen fertilization, plays a determining role in pasture productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of nitrogen, in the form of ammonium sulfate, on the development of Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Tamani grass. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso - Confresa Campus, from August to December 2025, in a randomized block design, with five nitrogen doses (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha^-1 of N) and five replications. The variables evaluated were plant height, stem diameter, number of tillers, average tiller weight, fresh weight, and dry weight of the aerial part. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and fitted to regression models. A linear increase in stem diameter, number of tillers, and fresh mass was observed in response to N doses. For plant height, average tiller weight, and dry mass, a quadratic model fit was observed, with points of maximum efficiency reached at 174.63, 203.64, and 267.45 kg ha^-1 of N, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization enhances the growth and productivity of BRS Tamani grass, with dry biomass accumulation optimized at a dose of 267.45 kg ha^-1 of N.