Accumulation of dry matter and morphological composition of irrigated Mombaça grass with and without nitrogen fertilizer under grazing

Brazil has the largest commercial cattle herd in the world and is the world's leading exporter of fresh and processed meat. Beef production is based on pastures and the production system is influenced by the absence of fertilization and the seasonality of forage production during the year, caused mainly by variation in temperature, rainfall and sunlight hours. Nitrogen (N) is the most important element for the development and growth of grasses, since it accelerates the formation and growth of new leaves, and improves regrowth vigor, resulting in greater production and carrying capacity of pastures (Cecato et al. 2011). The present study aimed to quantify the accumulation of dry matter and percentage of leaf blade of irrigated Mombaca grass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombaca) at 4 N fertilizer levels, under intermittent grazing.