The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of phosphorus on the establishment of Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirão and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés mixed. The experiment was installed in an area of 8,000 m², divided into 24 plots of 333.3 m². The phosphorus doses utilized in the establishment of pasture were 25, 50, 100 and 200 kg/ha of P2O5. The evaluations were made 65 days after sowing. The experimental design was a randomized blocks design with three replications and the treatment with two replicates per block. The highest rates of increase in the length of the leaf blade and tillering of Xaraés grass, leaflet length, leaflet width and height of the legume occurred from 25 to 50 kg/ha of P2O5. The highest rates of increase in the width of the leaf blade and tiller height of Xaraés grass occurred from 25 to 100 kg/ha of P2O5. Number of plants of Mineirão stylo was higher with fertilization with 44 kg/ha of P2O5 and decreased drastically with phosphate. Phosphate fertilizers establishing 44 kg/ha P2O5 provide better establishment of the intercropped pasture. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine the degree of compatibility between the two species and the viability of intercropping. Application of growing levels of phosphorus in an intercropping system provides increase in the rates of accumulation of dry matter of Xaraés grass and accumulation of total dry matter during the first dry period post-establishment of the pasture.
Brachiaria brizantha; fertilization; mixed pasture; Stylosanthes guianensis; tillering
