Production and nutrition of Marandu grass fertilized with zinc

The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of zinc on the nutritional status and dry matter production of Marandu grass. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with containers filled with 4dm3 of an Oxisol soil. The experimental essays included six different doses of zinc (0; 15; 30; 60; 120 and 240mg.dm–3), with four repetitions. The study evaluated the number of tillers and leaves, plant height, dry mass of the shoot and root system and the concentration of zinc in the soil and leaves. The assessment was made during two different periods (cuts), with an interval of 30 days. After the second cut, the concentrations of Zn in the soil and root dry mass were determined. The application of zinc to the soil increased its concentration and absorption by the Marandu grass, which reached 140 and 181mg.kg-1 (first and second cut, respectively) in the dry mass. The zinc doses used were not toxic to the plants