The study was conducted in a Brachiaria decumbens pasture, in a dark red-yellow latosol, pH 5.2, with the objective of evaluating the influence of crescent levels of calcium sulphate application and cutting-age on dry matter yield and on N, S, Cu and nitrate content. Four treatments and three cuts were done as follow: T (control), 0 ton/ha of calcium sulphate; TA, 0.5 ton/ha; TB, 1.0 ton/ha; and TC, 1.5 ton/ha. The cuts were done 77, 133 and 341 days after the beginning of the experiment. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. The dry matter yield of TA, TB and TC showed differences (P<0.05) related to the control treatment, although dry matter yield did not show differences (P>0.05) between TA, TB and TC. Concentrations of S, Cu, N and nitrate in dry matter did not show differences (P>0.05) between treatments. However, the grass cutting-age influenced grass mineral concentrations (P<0.05) in all treatments.
Brachiaria; calcium sulphate; sulphur; copper; nitrate
