Sistemas de plantio de azevém em comparação a métodos de adubação.

Abstract

Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is widely used in Rio Grande do Sul and temperate climate regions due to its good tolerance to mild temperatures, with most genotypes presenting a base temperature between 4 to 6ºC. Its ability to self-reseed, transitioning from an annual to a biennial plant, makes it an excellent option for crop-livestock integration, helping to overcome the winter forage gap. Given the importance of this crop in the region, this study focused on different methods of ryegrass establishment in comparison with fertilization systems, aiming to evaluate traits related to the crop’s structure and physiology, as well as parameters associated with germination and emergence. The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of UTFPR, Pato Branco, on a Dystrophic Red Nitosol under a Cfa climate. Five ryegrass sowing methods were tested in a randomized block design with four replications. The São Gabriel® cultivar was sown in May 2024 at 50 kg ha-1, and the 8-20-20 fertilizer was applied 250 kg ha-1 manually or incorporated in furrows, depending on the treatment. Evaluations included Emergence Speed Index (ESI), dry matter per hectare at 60 days, tiller density, plant height, root length, solar radiation interception, and final plant stand. As a result, the non-fertilized methods favored emergence and initial stand, indicating less impact from soil salinity and compaction. In contrast, fertilized treatments promoted greater vegetative growth and tiller number, highlighting the role of nutrients. Radiation interception was higher in denser crops, although internal shading in fertilized treatments may have reduced light-use efficiency.