Silicate and phosphate combinations for Marandu Palisadegrass growing on an oxisol

One of the greatest problems for pasture establishment and maintenance are the extremely low concentrations of available phosphorus in soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influences on productive and physiologic attributes during Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) establishment, following changes in phosphorus availability in the soil through the applications of phosphate and silicate. To achieve this, a fractionated factorial 5(2) design was used, with 13 combinations for silicon and phosphorus, respectively, in mg dm(-3): 150 and 10; 150 and 170; 150 and 330; 225 and 90; 225 and 250; 300 and 10; 300 and 170; 300 and 330; 375 and 90; 375 and 250; 450 and 10; 450 and 170 and 450 and 330, distributed according to randomized blocks, with four replications. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using samples of a Typic Haplustox (760 g kg(-1) sand, 40 g kg(-1) silt and 200 g kg(-1) clay). Wollastonite was used as the source of silicate and the sources of phosphorus were Ca(H2PO4)(2), KH2PO4 and NaH2PO4. Marandu palisadegrass was grown during the summer and two harvests were made during the growing season. Significant interaction between phosphorus and silicate rates was found for the number of tillers and expanded green leaves, total leaf area, dry mass production of leaf laminae and culms with sheaths, and dry mass production of plant tops. Maximum responses of the analyzed variables were reached in the combination of the intermediate rates of phosphorus (170 and 250 mg dm(-3)) with high rates of silicon (375 and 450 mg dm(-3)).