Resumen

SOUZA, Elza Amélia de et al. Application effect of calcium silicate in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu on the nymph population of the brown root stinkbug, soil chemical characteristics, and plant and dry matter production. Ciênc. agrotec. [online]. 2009, vol.33, n.6, pp. 1518-1526. ISSN 1413-7054.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-70542009000600009.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different calcium silicate rates on the nymph population of the brown root stinkbug in B. brizantha cv. marandu, in the soil chemical characteristics, and plant and dry matter production. The experiment was carried out in casualized blocks with five treatments and four repetitions, in a total of 20 plots. The treatments tested were five rates (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t ha ^-1) of calcium silicate applied together with NPK fertilization in the implantation of B. brizantha. The nymph number (depths 0 to 40 cm), pH, and soil calcium and silicon content were evaluated. On the 120th day after sowing, the grass was cut to determine the chemical composition and dry matter production. It was verified that the application of 2.6 t ha ^-1 of calcium silicate was the best estimated rate for the reduction of brown root stinkbug nymphs. The application of increasing doses of calcium silicate in the soil caused an increase of the pH, calcium and silicon content in the soil, and an increase in B. brizantha dry matter production.

Palabras llave : Insecta; Silicon; Poaceae.