The objective of this research was to evaluate swine slurry (SS) application on the agronomic and bromatologic characteristics of marandugrass. The following response variables were determined: DM productivity, tillering, concentrations of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF, and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD). It was used a randomized block design with nine treatments (fertilization) and four replications. Treatments were described as follows: T1 (liming); T2 (chemical fertilization - 100, 40 e 60 kg/ha of N P2O5 K2O); T3 (180 m³/ha of SS 1x/year - fermented for 45 days); T4 (180 m³/ha of SS 2x/year); T5 (180 m³/ha of SS 3x/year); T6 (180 m³/ha of SS 4x/year); T7 (180 m³/ha of SS 5x/year); T8 (180 m³/ha of SS 1x/year - in natura); T9 (control). Means were compared using the Scott-Knott test. The liming was accomplished applying three metric tons of dolomitic limestone. Sources of nutrients in the chemical fertilization included ammonium sulphate, single superphosphate, and potassium chloride. Cuts were performed every 45 days. A single application of swine slurry (SS) promoted greater number of tillers/m², greater DM accumulation, and better forage nutritive value for initial harvestings. Greater values of CP were found in treatments 3, 4, 8, and 9 during initial harvestings. The CP means ranged from 9.6 to 13.7%. The NDF concentration was greater at the second cut and NDF means ranged from 61.4 to 68.6%. The ADF concentration was lower at the first cut when SS was applied twice and five times per year. The ADF means ranged from 21.2 to 23.4%. The greatest IVDMD occurred at the first cut in treatments 3, 4 and 8 and IVDMD means ranged from 69.0 to 71.8%.
cutting time; nutritional value; organic manuring; tillering
