EFFECT OF LIMING ON DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION OF 3 GRASSES

A greenhouse investigation was carried out to study the effects of lim ing on the dry matter (DM) production of the grasses Brachiaria brizan tha (Hoscht.) Stapf. cv. Marandu, Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Planalt ina and Panicum maximum Jacq cv. Aruana, cultivated on a Dark-Red Lato sol, medium texture. The liming levels were obtained through the addit ion of carbonates in a Ca:Mg ratio of 4:1, necessary to increase the d egree of base saturation (V%) to the following values; 4% (control), 2 0%, 36%, 52%, 68% and 84%. During the experimental period (180 days), four cuts were done to determine the DM production. The results indica ted that the DM production was increased (P<0,05) with the liming-leve ls increased to the three grasses. Panicum maximum cv. Aruana yielded the lower DM quantity, but it presented a better response to liming. T he inverse was observed in relation to A. gayanus. The data allowed to conclude that the DM production increased by liming and when the V% l evel was lower than 50%, it will be increased to 70% for establishment .