Avaliação de clones de Panicum maximum Jacq. submetidos à suspensão hídrica

Abstract

The morphogenic characteristics of Panicum maximum Jacq. clones were evaluated during the regrowth period under water stress. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Animal Science Department - UFRPE, from March to September 2008. Samples collected in the of Sergipe state, municipalities of Pernambuco (São José da Coroa Grande, São Bento do Una and Itambé) and the Mombaça, Tanzania and Massai cultivars were evaluated. The seedlings were transplanted to experimental pots and fertilized with limestone and nitrogen. Two standardization cuts were performed and 27 days after the 2nd cut the clones were submitted to water stress. The establishment period until the application of water stress lasted 27 days. The experimental treatments were of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days without irrigation in order to evaluate the morphogenic characteristics in the regrowth period at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days. A completely randomized design as a 4 x 7 (four periods of water stress x seven clones) factorial arrangement was used. Seven evaluations were performed in alternated days during the regrowth period. Estimates of plant height, leaf blade length, number of emerging green leaves, number of dead leaves and total number of tiller were the morphogenic characteristics evaluated during the regrowth period. Clone means were submitted to Tukey test at 5% of probability. Number of tillers, leaf blade length, plant height, number of dead leaves and number of green leaves were submitted to the analysis of variance in a repeated measure model within each stress period. No significant effect on clone regrowth under water stress from 7 to 28 days was detected. The highest water stress level favor the plant development after cutting.