Productive characteristics and structure of Paiaguás grass pasture fertilized with wood ash in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The use of wood ash as a fertilizer is a practice that helps in the management of soil fertility. Our objective was to evaluate the potential use of wood ash on structural and productive characteristics of paiaguás grass (Urochloa brizantha) pasture. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Rondonópolis, Brazilian Cerrado. Treatments were five wood ash doses: 0, 8, 16, 24, and 32 t ha-1 and two application strategies (wood ash incorporated into the soil and wood ash not-incorporated). Wood ash doses significantly affected (p<0.05) the evaluated response variables. Forage yield ranged from (mean ± standard error) 6.98±0.34 to 8.99±0.53 t DM ha-1. The highest productivity (11.10±0.46 t DM ha-1) was obtained at a wood ash rate of 24 t ha-1. The leaf area index was also higher (9.39±1.02) in the 24 t ha-1 wood ash dose. On the other hand, the leaf/stem ratio decreased with the application rate of wood ash and varied from 1.41±0.05 to 1.09±0.07 in the absence of wood ash (dose 0) and at the highest dose, respectively. In general, wood ash positively influenced (p<0.05) the structural characteristics and yield of U. brizantha cv. Paiaguás. Wood ash doses that provided the highest crop yield were between 16 and 24 t ha-1. The incorporation of wood ash into the soil increased pasture regrowth time. Therefore, it is recommended to apply wood ash superficially in established pastures.