This study aimed to determine the effect of 10 contact times of a granular triple superphosphate chemical fertilizer with Brachiaria brizantha, cv. Marandu seeds on seed physiological quality (germination and vigor). Contact times were: 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with four replicates, under both laboratory and nursery conditions. In all variables studied, a significant effect of the treatments employed was observed: as contact time with the fertilizer increased, the phosphoric acid residue from the fertilizer probably had a direct and negative effect on germination and vigor, as observed by germination, first count, water content, electric conductivity, emergence, and emergence velocity index results. Therefore, in order to obtain an adequate population of plants, the forage seeds can be mixed with the triple superphosphate since seeding is performed immediately, reducing physiological quality losses.
brachiaria; chemical fertilizer; contact time; emergence; phosphate fertilizer; vigor
