Does calcined bone meal serve as phosphate for pastures in family farming?

Abstract

To support rural extension activities for family farming in the western Amazon, we evaluated the production of Mombasa grass (Panicum maximum Jacq) as a function of phosphorus sources (single superphosphate and calcined bone meal) and rates (100, 200, and 400 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅). The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in a 2x3+1 factorial scheme. The use of calcined bone meal yielded a dry matter (1.73 t ha^-1 cutting^-1) and a plant height (55 cm) higher than the control (1.03 t ha^-1 cutting^-1 and 35 cm, respectively). How­ever, the values were lower than those obtained with single superphosphate (3.19 t ha^-1 DM and 91 cm in height). Regarding the dry matter production in the experimental period (202 days, five cuttings), the calcined bone meal promoted 54% of the production obtained with the use of single superphosphate.