The use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen, can increase significantly the biomass production of a pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass flow of Massai grass produced in greenhouse during the establishment and regrowth under five nitrogen fertilization levels. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized split-plot design with five nitrogen levels (0; 150; 300; 450 e 600 mg de N dm-3 of soil) and five replications (plots) .The leaf elongation rate was increased with the nitrogen fertilization levels and the establishment growth presented higher values in relation to the regrowth. The culm elongation rate was not influenced by N levels. The establishment growth presented higher values than regrowth. The leaf senescence rate before the cut was not influenced by the nitrogen fertilization, however it was altered by the growth cycles. The number of living leaves per tiller was superior on plants fertilized with highest N levels and at establishment growth, however an opposite effect was observed to the phylochron. The fertilization level 600 mg de N dm-3 of soil lead to an increase of 448% on herbage growth, and of 455% on herbage accumulation rates in relation to the 0 mg de N dm-3 of soil. The nitrogen fertilization provides positive responses to the biomass flow of Massai grass.
morphogenesis; nitrogen; Panicum maximum; phylochron
