Response of tifton 68 to nitrogen doses and to cutting intervals

This work was carried out at the Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Gad o de Leite, located at Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brazil, from October, 1995, to October, 1997, to evaluate the effects of five N doses (0, 100, 200, 400 an d 600 kg/ha/year) and three cutting intervals (2, 4 and 6 weeks, during the rainy season, and four, six and eight weeks, during the dry season) in dry matter production and crude protein content on tifton 68. Data were analyz ed as randomized blocks design in split-plot, with three replicates. The an nual dry matter yield increased up to the dose of 400 kg/ha/year of N ferti lization and an up to six weeks cutting interval, during the rainy season, and eight weeks cutting interval, during the dry season. The highest produc tion of dry matter was 20.8 tons/ha/year, with 14.3 tons/ha being obtained in the rainy season. The lower production was 3.9 tons/ha/year, with 2.8 to ns/ha being obtained in the rainy season. Crude protein content increased w ith higher nitrogen doses, both in the rainy as well as in the dry season, and with the reduction in cutting intervals. The highest level of crude pro tein obtained was 20.3%, and the lower was 5.2%.