Effects of Tillage on Soil Nitrogen and Growth of Three Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) Cultivars on a Typical Haplustol

In the northern part of the province of Cordoba (32°S), Argentina pasture production is limited by nitrogen availability. The work, using Rhodes ( Chloris gaya11a Ku nth) of 3 origins, evaluated the effect of various dates of surface tillage on the dry matter production and nitrogen content of 3 Rhodes grass cultivars: a local ecotype (Cordobes), cv. Samford and cv. Katambora. Dry matter and nitrogen production was increased in the 3 cultivars when the tillage was done before the rainy season.