Influence of plant growth regulators and nitrogen sources on the production and development of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the effect of seed treatment with plant growth regulators and nitrogen fertilization methods in Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk on the growth and development through germinative characteristics, dry matter yield and physiological composition. Plant growth regulators increased germination and mass yields of plant structures in coated seeds. From the regression estimates, higher germination percentages and root dry mass production were obtained with the use of Plant growth regulators for the initial growth (10.3; 12.8 mL.kg −1 seed, respectively). Leaf and pseudostem mass production had a significant interaction effect between seed type and the use of growth regulator. Coated seeds had greater performance with absence or at lower levels of growth regulators, and embryo quality contributed to the greater formation of plant tissues. More efficient levels (8.85 and 9.57 mL.kg −1 seed) were observed for the yields of plant structures (leaf and pseudostem). Soil N-fertilization resulted in higher dry mass productions of leaf, stem, shoot and root, as well as for root volume. Rates of photoassimilate were increased by soil fertilization and use of plant growth regulators. The use of exogenous hormonal compounds acts on the organogenesis of plant tissues and increases the development of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk. Soil N-fertilization increase mass yields as it maximizes photosynthetic processes and growth rates.