The experiment was carried out from December/2002 to April/2003 and aimed to evaluate the effects of two phosphorus sources (ordinary superphosphate + triple superphosphate and Yoorinâ magnesium thermophosphate), as a function of days (24) and evaluation period (summer and autumn) on leaf appearance interval (LAPI), leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf senescence (TLS), first and last ligule height (FLH; LLH), number of expanded leaves (NEL), number of leaves in expansion (NLE), total number of leaves (TNL), total number of live leaves (TNLL), and grazing return rate (GRR) on mombaçagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça). The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. There was no difference between phosphorus sources in all evaluated variables, except for leaf elongation rate, which was higher in tillers fertilized with the SPS+TSP treatment. Differences were found between evaluation periods, with summer showing higher leaf elongation rate and ligule height (first and last). The days evaluated indicated effect on first ligule height (FLH; LLH), number of expanded leaves (NEL), number of leaves in expansion (NFE), total number of leaves (TNL), total number of live leaves (TNLL), total number of senescent leaves (TLS), and grazing return rate (GRR). For days and period interactions only TNLL and TSL had positive linear correlations.
leaf growth; period; senescence; tillers
