The cultivation of Elephant or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in the gypsum- producing region of Araripe, in the west of the state of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil, may be viable as alternative energy, especially when the soil fertility is improved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crude gypsum on the nutritional status, mineral composition, biomass production, and nutrient uptake efficiency of elephant grass varieties in Araripe, Pernambuco. For this purpose, three elephant grass varieties: Cameroon, Gramafante and Roxo, were planted in the presence and absence of gypsum in randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement (3 x 2) with four replications. The dry matter production of Cameroon and Gramafante was high, but the response to gypsum was only significant for the variety Cameroon, with 33 Mg ha-1. Gramafante was more efficient in the use of Ca than Cameroon and Roxo.
Gypsum; plant nutrition; plant biomass production
