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Original Article 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 32, n. 6, p. 1537-1544, Nov./Dec. 2016 

DOSES OF PHOSPHORUS ON INITIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FORAGE 
PRODUCTION OF CULTIVARS OF Panicum maximum 

 
DOSES DE FÓSFORO NO DESENVOLVIMENTO INICIAL E PRODUÇÃO DE 

FORRAGEM DE CULTIVARES DE Panicum maximum 
 

Francisco Eduardo TORRES¹; Paulo Eduardo TEODORO²; Larissa Pereira RIBEIRO¹; 
 Elisa Pereira de OLIVEIRA³; Marcus Vinicius Morais de OLIVEIRA4; 

 Carlos Antonio da SILVA JUNIOR5; Caio Cezar Guedes CORRÊA6 
1. Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana – UEMS/UUA, 

Aquidauana, MS, Brasil; 2. Departamento de Biologia Geral da Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brasil. 
eduteodoro@hotmail.com; 3. Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, SP, 

Brasil; 4. Departamento de Zootecnia da UEMS/UUA, Aquidauana, MS, Brasil; 5. Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade 
Estadual de Mato Grosso, Campus de Alta Floresta, Alta Floresta, MT, Brasil; 6. Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy 

Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.  
 

ABSTRACT: Phosphorus shortage in the Savanna is one of the main limiting factors for forage production and 
directly responsible for the degradation of pastures in this Brazilian region. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the 
effect of increasing doses of P on the initial development and forage production of four cultivars of P. maximum. The 
experiment was conducted during the months of December 2010 to May 2011 at Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso 
do Sul, Unit of Aquidauana-MS. It was used the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 4x5, with four 
replications. The experimental unit consists of polyethylene pots with 5 L capacity arranged in countertop in greenhouse. 
The first factor consisted of four P. maximum cultivars (Massai, Mombaça, Áries and Atlas), while the second factor 
consists of five doses of phosphorus (0, 5, 10, 30 and 45 mg dm-3). It was evaluated the following morphometric traits: 
plant height, length and width of the leaf blade, number of tillers, dry mass of shoot and of roots at 60 DAS. The 
approximate dose of 25 mg dm-3 of phosphorus provided better initial development and forage production in all cultivars 
evaluated of Panicum maximum. Mombaça cultivar has better initial development and forage production about to the 
others. 
 

KEYWORDS: Phosphate fertilizer. Morphometric characters. Degraded pastures. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 

In Brazil, areas with pastures, native or 
cultivated, occupy around 180 million hectares, and 
of this total, it is estimated that 40 million hectares 
are in different stages of degradation (OLIVEIRA et 
al., 2014). Pastures are the basis of Brazilian 
livestock, serving as a powerful cost-saving tool, 
making it essential to rational use and the 
professional management of pastures, through 
forage supply of better quality, with balanced 
protein content, digestibility and fertilization (LIMA 
et al, 2007). 

The region of the Brazilian Savanna 
contains soils conducive to the establishment of 
pastures containing favorable physical 
characteristics, suitable topography and few climate 
limitations, however, in most cases, has limitations 
in relation to fertility, standing out among them the 
low pH and levels of nutrients, especially 
phosphorus (P) (BENÍCIO et al., 2011).  

Guedes et al. (2009), claim that a major 
problem in establishing and maintaining pastures, 
on these soils, lies in extremely low levels of P 

available and P total. These authors add, beyond this 
natural poverty in P of our soils, the high adsorption 
capacity of this element, because of its acidity and 
high levels of iron and aluminum oxides. It is 
natural that in such circumstances, the phosphorus 
fertilization is required. Thus arises the need to 
identify which species and / or cultivars are more 
responsive to phosphorus fertilization and which 
have better agronomic performance in low 
availability conditions of P. 

Panicum pastures are from African origin, 
belonging to the Poaceae family, which constitutes 
about 81 genera and more than 1460 species. In 
Brazil, the species Panicum maximum is considered 
one of the most widespread grass, being in area one 
of the main grasses grown for its high production 
capacity of dry matter, forage quality, ease of 
establishment and acceptability by the animals 
(TORRES et al., 2013). 

Research on P. maximum response to the 
application of P in Brazilian soils are incipient and 
inconclusive (GUEDES et al., 2009). Thus, the aim 
of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing 

Received: 11/05/16 
Accepted: 05/10/16 



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Doses of phosphorus on initial…  TORRES, F. E. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 32, n. 6, p. 1537-1544, Nov./Dec. 2016 

doses of P on the initial development and forage 
production of four cultivars of P. maximum. 

 
MATERIAL AND METHODS 
 

The experiment was conducted during the 
months of December 2010 to May 2011 at 
Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unit 
of Aquidauana-MS, located in the Savanna biome, 
comprising the coordinates 20º27’S and 55º40’W, 
and with an average elevation of 170 m. The soil of 
the area was classified as Ultisol Dystrophic of the 
sandy texture classified bay Schiavo et al. (2010), 
and the climate of the region, according to the 
classification described by Köppen-Geiger, is Aw 
(Savanna Tropical) with average annual rainfall of 
1,200 mm and maximum and minimum 
temperatures of 33 and 19ºC, respectively. 

It was used the completely randomized design in a 
factorial scheme 4x5, with four replications. The 
first factor consisted of four P. maximum cultivars 
(Massai, Mombaça, Áries and Atlas), while the 
second factor consists of five doses of phosphorus 
(0, 5, 10, 30 and 45 mg dm-3), having as source the 
single superphosphate (18% P2O5, 16% CA and 8% 
S). 
The experimental unit consists of polyethylene pots 
with 5 L capacity arranged in countertop in 
greenhouse, which were filled with soil of the 
region (Table 1) and placed on a wooden bench at 1 
m above the ground. In each pot were placed ten 
seeds at 1 cm depth, being the thinning carried out 
15 days after sowing, leaving five plants per pot. 
The plants were irrigated every day of conducting 
the experiment in the morning. 

 
Table 1. Soil chemical analysis of the experimental field in the layer 0 to 20 cm. 
pH (CaCl) Ca Mg K Al H+Al S CEC OM P V 

--- -------------------------- cmolc dm
-3 -------------------------- -- mg dm-3 -- -- % -- 

4.35 1.01 0.50 0.19 0.29 1.50 1.69 4.47 4.50 9.41 37.81 
S: sum of bases; CEC: cation exchange capacity; OM: organic matter; P: Melich. 
 

It was evaluated the following 
morphometric traits: plant height (PH), length and 
width of the leaf blade (LLB and WLB, 
respectively), number of tillers (NT), dry mass of 
shoot and of roots (DMS and DMR, respectively) at 
60 days after sowing. PH, LLB and WLB were 
determined using a ruler graduated in centimeters, 
being measured five plants of the plot. The leaves of 
each plant used for the measurements were marked 
with a red tape, to ensure the sampling the same 
sheet. We consider for PH the height measured from 
ground level to the insertion of the first leaf fully 
developed of the plant. To measure the LLB, it was 
considered the length from the ligule to its apex. 
WLB was measured in the center of the leaf. 
Subsequently, root and shoot of each plant were 

collected for the assessment of DMS and DMR, 
which were dried in an oven at 65ºC by 72 hours. 

Data were subjected to analysis of variance 
and the averages compared by Tukey’s test at 5% 
probability, using the statistical software SAS (SAS 
INSTITUTE, 1999). 
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
 

The factors cultivars (C) and doses of P (P) 
influenced significantly (p>0.05) all traits evaluated 
(Table 2). There was a significant interaction 
(p>0.05) among C x D for the traits PH, WLB and 
NT, which indicates that the different doses of P 
assessed differently influence the growth of each 
cultivar. 

 
Table 2. Summary of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the traits plant height (PH), length and width of 

the leaf blade (LLB and WLB, respectively), number of tillers (NT), dry mass of shoot and of roots 
(DMS and DMR, respectively) according to different doses of phosphorus (P) and cultivars (C) of P. 
maximum. 

SV DF PH LLB WLB NT DMR DMS 
Cultivars (C) 3 782.09* 985.89* 16.33* 917.53* 35.84* 80.50* 

Doses of P (P) 4 4460.14* 897.69* 2.37* 366.07* 241.44* 958.03* 
C x P 12 40.71* 51.52ns 0.14* 78.45** 12.62ns 22.90ns 

Residue 168 5.71 37.98 0.06 3.90 8.34 11.88 
Average --- 18.01 13.97 1.66 7.34 8.65 15.59 
CV (%) --- 13.27 44.12 15.15 26.91 33.41 22.11 

SV: sources of variation; DF: degrees of freedom; CV: coefficient of variation * e ns: significant at the 5% probability and not significant 
by F-test, respectively. 



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It was verified that regardless of the dose of 
P, cultivars Aries, Mombaça and Massai had the 
highest values for the traits PH, WLL and NT, 
respectively (Table 3). This was possibly due to the 
growth characteristics of each cultivar. According to 
Oliveira et al. (2014), such differences are 

depending on morphological characteristics of each 
cultivar, some have a larger size, as Aries, others 
have wider leaves, as Mombasa, while others have 
narrower leaves, lower size and high tillering, as 
Massai. 

 
Table 3. Average values to the unfolding of significant interaction among cultivars of Panicum maximum (C) x 

doses of P (P) to traits plant height (PH), leaf blade (WLB), number of tillers (NT). 
Cultivars PH (cm) WLL (cm) NT 

0 mg dm-3 
Áries 15.58 ab 1.51 b 4.08 b 
Atlas 16.05 a 1.40 b 3.14 c 

Massai 10.56 c 0.76 c 7.03 a 
Mombaça 14.07 b 1.79 a 3.75 c 

5 mg dm-3 
Áries 20.19 a 1.63 b 4.21 b 
Atlas 18.86 b 1.70 b 3.03 c 

Massai 11.51 c 0.80 c 6.17 a 
Mombaça 17.41 b 2.18 a 4.13 b 

15 mg dm-3 
Áries 26.34 a 2.00 b 5.33 c 
Atlas 23.40 b 2.09 b 5.44 c 

Massai 15.23 c 1.07 c 14.47 a 
Mombaça 19.98 b 2.59 a 6.58 b 

30 mg dm-3 
Áries 28.72 a 1.91 b 6.31 b 
Atlas 23.69 b 2.07 b 6.06 b 

Massai 15.18 d 1.09 c 16.61 a 
Mombaça 18.55 c 2.35 a 5.56 c 

45 mg dm-3 
Áries 20.06 a 1.85 a 10.28 b 
Atlas 16.03 b 1.64 b 5.50 d 

Massai 13.37 c 0.94 c 21.61 a 
Mombaça 17.87 b 1.96 a 7.68 c 

Averages followed by the same letters on the lines, within each P, do not differ by Tukey’s test at 5% probability. 
 

 
There was a quadratic fit (p>0.05) to PH in 

response to doses of P for all cultivars, being the 
highest values obtained with the dose approximately 
25 mg dm-3 of P, with maximum points from 23 to 
28 cm (Figure 1). Similar results have been 
achieved by Rossi and Monteiro (1999), Cecato et 
al. (2007), Ferreira et al. (2008) and Cecato et al. 
(2008), who verified that the P provides a linear 
increase on PH in different cultivars of P. maximum. 

Just like PH, WLB adjusted to quadratic 
equations (p>0.05) in response to the P, being the 
highest values obtained with the approximate dose 

of 25 mg dm-3, with maximum points from 23 to 28 
cm (Figure 2). Patês et al. (2007) have found that 
cell elongation rate has quadratic behavior in P. 
maximum in response to different doses of P, 
corroborating the results obtained from this study 
for LLB. According to Oliveira et al. (2014), PH is 
mainly influenced by cell elongation, while WLB 
foliar is determined by the number of cell divisions 
that occur perpendicular to the leaf central leaf. 
Given these considerations, we can infer that doses 
of P above 25 mg dm-3 decreases leaf elongation 
(LLB) and, concurrently, the traits PH and WLB. 

 



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Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 32, n. 6, p. 1537-1544, Nov./Dec. 2016 

 
Figure 1. Unfolding of significant interaction among cultivars of Panicum maximum (C) x doses of P (P) to 

plant height (PH). 
 

 
 

 
 

Figure 2. Unfolding of significant interaction among cultivars of Panicum maximum (C) x doses of P (P) to the 
width of the leaf blade (WLB). 

 
 
The linear increase (p>0.05) of NT with the 

addition of P (Figures 3 and  4) is consistent with 
the results observed by Patês et al. (2007), Ferreira 
et al. (2008) and Guedes et al. (2009). These authors 

emphasize the importance of P for the initial 
establishment of forage, due to the higher 
development of roots and, consequently, higher 
tillering.

 



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Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 32, n. 6, p. 1537-1544, Nov./Dec. 2016 

 
 

Figure 3. Average values of length of the leaf blade (LLB) in function of doses of P (P) in different cultivars of 
Panicum maximum. 

 

 
Figure 4. Unfolding of significant interaction among cultivars of Panicum maximum (C) x doses of P (P) to 

number of tillers (NT). 
 

Mombaça obtained the highest values for 
the traits LLB, DMS and DMR (Table 4), which 
indicates the better initial development of this 
cultivar in addition to increasing in forage 
production compared with other cultivars. Similar 
results were obtained by Oliveira et al. (2014), who 
recommend the growing of this cultivar in the 
Savanna-Pantanal ecotone region. 

There were quadratic fits (p>0.05) for DMR 
and DMS in response to doses of P (Figures 5 and 

6), corroborating the results obtained by Ferreira et 
al. (2008) and Guedes et al. (2009). P provides a 
greater root development; therefore, under optimal 
conditions of P in the plant, there is a change in root 
morphology, increasing the lateral roots in number 
and size, generating increase in the root system of 
the plant. Moreover, there is increased production of 
photoassimilates that are redistributed throughout 
the plant, increasing shoot growth (PATÊS et al., 
2007).  

 
 



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Table 4. Average values of length of the leaf blade (LLB), dry mass of roots and shoot (DMR and DMS, 
respectively) to different cultivars of Panicum maximum (C). 

Cultivars LLB (cm) DMR (g planta-1) DMS (g planta-1) 

Massai 43.93 b 9.49 a 16.03 ab 

Mombaça 48.63 a 9.78 a 17.97 a 

Atlas 43.64 b 6.81 b 14.46 b 
Áries 43.98 b 8.50 a 13.02 b 

Averages followed by the same letters on the lines do not differ by Tukey’s test at 5% probability. 
 

 
 

 
Figure 5. Average values of dry mass of shoot (DMS) in function of doses of P (P) in different cultivars of 

Panicum maximum. 
 
 

 
Figure 6. Average values of dry mass of roots (DMR) in function of doses of P (P) in different cultivars of 

Panicum maximum. 



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Furthermore, is possible to observe in 
Figures 5 and 6, that from 25 mg dm-3 of P there 
was a decrease in DMS and DMR. This was 
possibly the high availability of P in small volume 
of soil, which meant that there was no need for root 
development of the plant in deeper points for P 
uptake (LOBATO et al., 1994; BENÍCIO et al., 
2011).  
 

CONCLUSIONS 
 
The approximate dose of 25 mg dm-3 of 

phosphorus provided better initial development and 
forage production in all cultivars evaluated of 
Panicum maximum. 
 Mombaça cultivar has better initial 
development and forage production about to the 
others. 

 
 

RESUMO: A escassez de fósforo no Cerrado é um dos principais fatores limitantes para a produção de 
forragem e responsável diretamente pela degradação das pastagens nesta região brasileira. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho 
foi avaliar o efeito de doses crescentes de P sobre o desenvolvimento inicial e produção de forragem de quatro cultivares 
de Panicum maximum. O experimento foi conduzido durante os meses de dezembro de 2010 a maio de 2011 na 
Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana, MS. O delineamento experimental 
utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, no esquema fatorial 4x5, com quatro repetições. A unidade experimental consistiu 
de potes de polietileno com capacidade de 5 L dispostos em bancadas na estufa. O primeiro fator foi composto por quatro 
cultivares de P. maximum (Massai, Mombaça, Áries e Atlas), enquanto o segundo fator consistiu de cinco doses de fósforo 
(0, 5, 10, 30 e 45 mg dm-3). Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres morfométricos: altura de plantas, comprimento e 
largura da lâmina foliar, número de perfilhos, massa seca da parte aérea e das raízes aos 60 dias após a semeadura. A dose 
aproximada de 25 mg dm-3 de fósforo proporcionou melhor desenvolvimento inicial e produção de forragem em todas as 
cultivares de Panicum maximum avaliadas. A cultivar Mombaça apresentou melhor desenvolvimento inicial e produção de 
forragem em relação às demais. 
 

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Adubação fosfatada. Caracteres morfométricos. Pastagens degradadas. 
 
 
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