The beneficial effects of silicon (Si) fertilization have been observed for several plant species, especially when submitted to stress, either biotic or abiotic. Among the possible reasons for the greater adaptability and resistance of brachiaria grass in areas of low fertility soils in Brazilian savanna, stands its capacity of absorbing and accumulating Si in aerial parts. To evaluate the effect of Si on dry matter yield of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf and Brachiaria brizantha Hochst, grown under two soil moisture regimes, a trial was set up in a completely randomized design factorial scheme (5 × 2 × 2), with five Si rates: (0; 242; 484; 968 and 1,452 kg ha-1), two soil water tensions (60% and 80% of field capacity) and the two brachiaria species. The... |