Effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizations on elephant grass genotypes used for energy purposes in Northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

Similar to many other human activities, the energy sector has a global concern with environmental issues. The use of renewable energy sources such as biomass is an alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Eight elephant grass genotypes showing energy production potential were herein assessed. The genotypes were grown from February 2014 to March 2016 in Campos dos Goytacazes County -Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. They were fertilized with three different nitrogen doses (400, 1000 and 1600 kg N ha ) was enough to promote the highest values. As for the other traits assessed in the current study, although there was a genotype that showed statistically significant difference from any other genotype at a particular dose, the increasing N doses in the fertilization did not influence the performance of the genotypes.