Agro-inputs usage in Paspalum atratum cv. Cambá FCA

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the effect of agro-inputs in biomass production of Paspalum atratum cv. Cambá and in soil biological activity. The sowing of pasture was carried out in pots with sandy soil. Seven treatments and five repetitions were applied; Control (T), Mineral Fertilizer (FM) 100 kg.ha1 , Vermicompost (LC) 40 tn.ha-1 , Vermicompost + Basalt (LC + B) 40 tn.ha-1 and 2.5 tn.ha-1 respectively, Compost (C) 40 tn.ha-1 , Compost + Basalt (C + B) 40 tn.ha-1 and 2.5 tn.ha-1 respectively and basalt powder (B) 2.5 tn.ha-1 . The plants were cut three times after that they were extracted. Height, amount of tillers, dry weight of the aerial part of the plants, radical dry weight and global biological activity were measured. ANOVA and means comparison by Tukey (α <0.05) were performed. When the first cut was carried out, the variable height obtained was the lowest in B treatment and after that measurement no other treatment denoted meaningful differences. The amount of tillers showed no meaningful differences among treatments until the first cut was performed. In the following measurements the LC treatment obtained the highest values and B the lowest ones. Regarding biomass aerial weight in the first cut, there were no meaningful differences between treatments and in the following cuts the LC treatment reached the highest value. On the other hand, the highest value of root dry weight was obtained by FM treatment, differing statistically only from B. The Global Biological Activity was similar among treatments.