ASPECTS OF THE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM CORRELATED WITH PROPERTIES OF A TYPIC QUARTZIPSAMMENT (ENTISOL) IN MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRAZIL

Adriany Rodrigues Corrêa,Valdemir Antônio Laura,Anderson Secco Dos Santos,Evelize Nayara Santana Da Silva,Alex Marcel Melotto,Douglas Martins Pereira Pellin,Rafael Montanari

doi:10.1590/01000683rbcs20130691

Abstract

In Brazil, grazing mismanagement may lead to soil and pasture degradation. To impede this process, integrated cropping systems such as silvopasture have been an effective alternative, allied with precision agriculture based on soil mapping for site-specific management. In this study, we aimed to define the soil property that best sheds light on the variability of eucalyptus and forage yield. The experiment was conducted in the 2011/12 crop year in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. We analyzed linear and spatial correlations between eucalyptus traits and physical properties of a Typic Quartzipsamment at two depths (0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m). For that purpose, we set up a geostatistical grid for collection at 72 points. Gravimetric moisture in the 0.00-0.10 m layer is an important index of soil physical quality, showing correlation to eucalyptus circumference at breast height (CBH) in a Typic Quartzipsamment. With an increase in resistance to penetration in the soil surface layer, there is an increase in eucalyptus height and in neutral detergent fiber content in the forage crop. From a spatial point of view, the height of eucalyptus and the neutral detergent fiber of forage can be estimated by co-kriging analysis with soil resistance to penetration. Resistance to penetration values above 2.3 MPa indicated higher yielding sites.

Highlights

In Brazil, soil degradation and low yield indices of grazing areas merit special attention from agronomists and farmers (Montanari et al, 2013)
Gravimetric moisture in the 0.00-0.10 m layer is an important index of soil physical quality, showing correlation to eucalyptus circumference at breast height (CBH) in a Typic Quartzipsamment
With an increase in resistance to penetration in the soil surface layer, there is an increase in eucalyptus height and in neutral detergent fiber content in the forage crop

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, soil degradation and low yield indices of grazing areas merit special attention from agronomists and farmers (Montanari et al, 2013). Degradation of grazing areas is an evolving process of loss of vigor, yield, and natural recovery capacity, rendering the area unable to sustain the forage production and quality required by animals, and to overcome to damaging effects of pests, diseases and weeds (Andreotti et al, 2008). To slow this process and recover already degraded pastures, the search for soil management systems such as those that integrate crops and livestock for the purpose of recovering or maintaining soil quality have been fundamental for sustainable crop and livestock management (Bono et al, 2013). Silvopastoral systems decrease environmental impacts inherent to conventional cattle raising systems by favoring ecological restoration of degraded pastures, diversifying farm production, generating profits and additional products, reducing dependence on external inputs, and enhancing sustainable land use, among other benefits (Pezarico et al, 2013)

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