This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of cutting at 0, 15, 30 and 45 cm height, on some morphological and physiological characteristics of the Pennisetum purpureum, Schum., var. Roxo in dry and rainy seasons in the Paraiba swamp region. The samples were obtained from a useful area of 8,4 m² from each parcel. After the uniformity cut, two cuts in dry season with 90 days interval and three cuts in the rainy season with 60 days interval were made. The number of tillers for m², plants heights, leaves and stems percentage (dry matter basis) and the leaves/stem ratio (L/SR) were evaluated. At the 25th day, the counting, after each cut, of the existent tillers in the plots. A sample of 3 or 5 tillers was taken from each parcel and they were dehydrated in air forced stove and the separation of leaves and stems fractions were done. There was interaction of the factors (cutting height vs. seasons) for number of tillers by m² and L/SR. In the rainy season there was more basal tillering than in the dry period; and the number of aerial tillers was higher in all cutting made above the ground. The L/SR increased in rainy season in the 30 and 45cm cutting height. The higher cuts presented larger proportion of leaves and smaller proportion of stems. The leaves percentages in rainy season were higher than those in dry season.
leaf/stem ratio; Pennisetum purpureum; plant height
