Elephant grass responses under doses of nitrogen fertilization coverage for energy purposes

Abstract

In order to reduce the greenhouse effect, we propose the use of renewable energy from the biomass of elephant grass. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of cultivars in non-irrigated cropland experience in a randomized complete block designed in a split plot design with 12 repetitions. Guaçu/IZ.2, Cameroon- Piracicaba and Cana DÁfrica cultivars were integrated into the plots and the doses of 500 and 1000 kg ha^-1of N were added into the subplots in fractions with five applications during cultivation in the rainy season. Samples were taken from the useful area of 2.25 m² in the subplots, in three cuts, measured, weighed and dried. Data were subjected to analysis of variance by F-test, and then comparisons were made using the average of the Tukey test at 5% of probability. It was concluded that cultivars, in general, did not differ in terms of dry matter, even under contrasting ambient conditions. However it was detected a decrease in the latter parameter and in height, due to water stress that occurred during the third cut. However, Cameroon-Piracicaba showed lower tilling, larger stem diameter and width of the blades relative to the other. The cv. Guaçu/IZ.2 tended to show values near Cameroon-Piracicaba, while Cana DÁfrica showed this trend only in relation to the width of the blade at higher doses high of nitrogen fertilization.