Open AccessAgronomic performance of interspecific Paspalum hybrids under nitrogen fertilization or mixed with legumes
Author(s) -
da Motta Eder A. Minski,
DallAgnol Miguel,
Rios Esteban F.,
Souza Cleber H. Lopes,
Weiler Roberto L.,
Brunes André Pich,
Simioni Carine,
Rockenbach de Ávila Mariana,
Neto Douglas,
Felix Leonardo Duarte,
Nunes dos Santos Tamyris
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
agrosystems, geosciences and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2639-6696
DOI - 10.1002/agg2.20127
Subject(s) - biology , legume , perennial plant , agronomy , paspalum notatum , forage , randomized block design , trefoil , hybrid , cultivar , lotus corniculatus , pasture , paspalum , trifolium repens
Nitrogen supply and mixtures with legumes affect agronomic performance of pastures, and both practices can guide breeding decisions in Paspalum hybrids. The goals of this study were: (a) quantify herbage accumulation (HA), leaf accumulation (LA), cold tolerance, and N use efficiency (NUE) in P . plicatulum × P . guenoarum hybrids subjected to N fertilization or grown in a mixture with legumes; (b) compare the grass–legume system to a grass–N fertilizer system; and (c) select the best hybrid for future cultivar releases. A randomized complete block design with three replications and a split‐plot treatment arrangement was used for 2 yr, with five N rates (0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N ha −1 ) and a grass–legume mixture [grass + white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) + birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus L.)] as whole plots, and six genotypes as subplots (hybrids: 1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061; and controls: P . guenoarum ‘Azulão’ and Megathyrsus maximus ‘Aruana’). Higher N rates increased HA, LA, and cold tolerance. Higher NUE was obtained between 60 and 120 kg N ha −1 . In the grass–legume mixture HA was similar to the rates of 60 and 120 kg N ha −1 . Hybrid 1020133 had HA similar to the controls, LA greater than Aruana, and greater cold tolerance and NUE at 60 kg N ha −1 than Azulão and Aruana. Hybrid 1020133 should be selected for further animal performance studies. The agronomic performance of perennial pastures can be improved through N management, and NUE should be a selection criterion in forage breeding.