Productivity of Cuba OM-22 grass (Pennisetum purpureum x Pennisetum glaucum) with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the productive behavior of the Cuba OM-22 grass, in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, county located at 54 masl, with a 1834 mm annual rainfall. Production of green and dry biomass, content and production of crude protein per hectare, and macro-nutrient and micro- nutrient content of Cuba OM-22 were evaluated, subjected to four doses of nitrogen, with cuts at 56 days; 50, 100, 150 y 200 kg N ha^-1_.  The yield of dry biomass varied with the dosage of N applied, which produced 6.7 t, 8.5 t, 10.9 t and 11.3 t MS ha^-1 cut^-1, biomass growth rate presented values ​​of 120 kg, 152 kg, 195 kg and 201 kg MS ha^-1 day^-1, production of crude protein per hectare was 459 kg, 751 kg, 1180 kg and 1459 kg PC ha^-1 cut^-1, with the application of 50 kg, 100 kg, 150 kg and 200 kg N ha^-1 cut^-1 respectively. All nutrients are presented in suitable animal health and production quantities, with the exception of potassium (K), which showed values ​​greater than 3.0% of the dry matter, with the doses of 150 and 200 kg N ha^-1 cut^-1. It is recommended to apply 150 kg N ha^-1 to Cuba OM-22 grass per cut of 56 days.