Data about nutrient extraction in pastures receiving high rates of nutrients are important to help to define fertilizer recommendations. The present work had the objective of evaluating nutrient extraction and N recovery by marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Stapf cv. Marandu) treated with different sources and rates of N, grown on a dark red latosol (Hapludox), under tropical conditions, in Brazil. Three rates of N were surface-applied: 50, 100 and 200 kg ha-1cutting-1 as urea or ammonium nitrate, after four consecutive cuttings, during the rainy season. Nutrient extraction increased with increasing nitrogen rates, with high values mainly for K and N. When forage yield was high (treatment with 400 kg ha-1 year-1 of N) and for both fertilizer, macronutrient extraction was greater for K and N, followed by Ca, Mg, P, and S. Micronutrient extraction decreased in the following order: Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. Mean N recovery, by forage, from urea was of about 84% of that of ammonium nitrate, which varied from 38 to 51% of applied N. Large amounts of K are extract for marandu grass with high forage yield, and mean urea-N recovery is lower than for ammonium nitrate-N.
Ammonium nitrate; Brachiaria brizantha; nutrient Content; nutrient extraction; urea
