R. Bras. Zootec.01/Dec/2001;30(6 Sup..):1959-68.
Effects of Shading in the Mineral Composition of Tropical Forage Grasses
DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35982001000800001
The influence of three levels of artificial shade (0, 30 e 60%) on mineral composition of six forage grasses (Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria brizantha, B. decumbens, Melinis minutiflora, Panicum maximum and Setaria sphacelata) was studied. The predominant soil in the region was classified as red-yellow latosol of medium texture and the assay was conducted according to randomized block design, with split plots, in four replicates; the plots corresponded to the shading levels and the split plots corresponded to the forage species. Shading affected the mineral composition of grasses and there was a tendency of increasing the concentration of P, K, Ca and Mg.
Keywords: artificial shading; grasses; mineral composition