The organic fertilizer is considered a viable alternative for the production of forage grasses. However there is little information about the rates and composition of the organic fertilizers. According to this assumption the objective of this study was to figure out the best dose of effluent from poultry processing plants in order to improve the structural, morphogenetic and productive characteristics of Piata palidadegrass. The experiment was carried out at a greenhouse and performed in a completely randomized design in which five doses of effluent, 324, 648, 972, 1296 and 1620m³ ha-1 were tested and equivalent to 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250kg ha-1 de N respectively. The measured variables were: dry matter (DM), leaf appearance rate, leaf elongation rate, phyllochron, pseudo stem elongation rate, final leaf length and numbers of green leaves. The production of DM presented a linear prediction model according to the N rates, while the treatment with 250kg ha-1 de N was 55% higher when compared to the treatment with 50kg ha-1 de N. All morphogenetic and structural characteristics that were evaluated presented a positive linear fashion, except the phyllochron. Thus, the effluent from poultry processing plant may be used as an alternative to fertilization of the 'Piata' palisadegrass because this responded by increasing the maximum dose tested.
organic fertilizer; Brachiaria brizantha; phyllochron; dry matter
