Liquid lime and conventional agricultural lime in soil acidity correction and characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna

The effect of applying liquid limestone and conventional limestone together with regrowth in correcting soil acidity and characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna was evaluated. The treatments were randomly distributed in a 3×3 factorial scheme, with three soil corrections: 1) control; 2) conventional limestone; 3) liquid limestone and three regrowths with a cutting interval of 21 days at 10 cm from the soil, with 4 replicates. The soil pH and base saturation were evaluated in each regrowth in the 0 to 20 cm layer, in addition to the production and bromatological characteristics of Braúna grass. Conventional limestone was efficient in increasing the pH, saturation and production of root dry matter. There was a regrowth effect, where there was an increase in the levels of dry matter, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose, and a reduction in the levels of crude protein. The use of conventional limestone is recommended to correct acidity and increase base saturation, as there is greater root development. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna is influenced by regrowth at successive cutting intervals of 21 days, with reduced productivity at each cut and reduced crude protein content.