Características estruturais, teores de clorofila e suas relações com o nitrogênio foliar e a biomassa em capim-Tifton 85

Abstract

Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-uréia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG®. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-uréia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG®. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happenedAmong the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-uréia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG®. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-uréia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG®. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened the highest leaf N content and linking directly with final green dry matter accumulation.