N fertilizer was applied as a single dressing in spring at 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg N ha‐1a‐1to an establishedDigitaria erianthapasture, previously used as a hay crop. The only significant increase in dry matter (DM) yield was obtained with 80 kg ha‐1a‐1. The DM production per unit of nitrogen (N) applied also reached a maximum with 80 kg N ha‐1a‐1. The distribution of rainfall also influenced DM yield.