Root number as a parameter for evaluating Brachiaria humidicola root system in the "Tabuleiro" soils of southern Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

The relation between root number and root length in Brachiaria humidicola under two stocking rates (2.2 and 4.2 animal units per hectare) and continuous grazing was studied on "Tabuleiro" soils in Southern Bahia, Brazil. The roots were classified into three diameter classes: smaller than 0,5 mm, from 0,5 to 1,0 mm, and larger than 1,0 mm. There was a highly significant correlation between the two root parameters studied, not only for the total number but also for the number of roots in each diameter class for the two stocking rates. The number of roots is a good parameter for evaluating the development of Brachiaria humidicola root system in the soil.