Performance of the Brachiaria hybrid Mulatto II under different doses and forms of limestone application in the Amazon

Acid soils have been responsible for the poor performance of most plant species, and liming is an efficient way of correcting the pH of such soils. The aim of this study was to assess the performance and establishment of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’ under different doses and forms of limestone application. The experimental design was of five doses of limestone (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1) and two forms of application (broadcasting over the surface, and broadcasting followed by hoeing the top 20 cm of soil) with three replications, in 3 x 3 metre plots of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’. The greatest number of germinated seeds was at the dose of 4 t ha-1 limestone when incorporated into the soil. For height, the greatest values found were at the maximum dose of limestone when incorporated into the soil. Dry matter production was not influenced by the form of limestone application, however production increased with the supply of limestone. The hybrid variety proved easily adaptable to different soil and climate conditions.   Key words: Liming,  tropical pasture, fodder availability, dry matter.