Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen doses (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha-1 year-1), with or without dolomitic lime covering application, on the potassium (K) soil content at depths varying form 0 to 5, 5 to 10, and 10 to 20 cm, and the potassium concentration in the plant. The experiment was carried out in a rhodic ferralsol with a slightly rolling relief, in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, in a complete randomized block design, with four replications. Nitrogenated fertilization caused a linear increase in the potassium concentration in the plant and also in the mineral content in the 0-5 cm soil layer. An effect of competitive inhibition occurred between the potassium and calcium absorption, and potassium and magnesium absorption. Although a significant fraction of potassium returned to the soil surface layer through the forage residue due to the increase in dry matter production caused by nitrogenated fertilization, the increase in the potassium concentration in the plant due to the doses of nitrogen demonstrated the importance of considering the potassium supply to the plant, when the forage mass is intensified through nitrogenated fertilization.
Highlights
Cattle production on pastures in Brazil provides excellent market competitiveness, because it reduces production costs
The exhaustion of soil fertility and the improper fertilizer and corrective application are the main causes of pasture degradation
The no effect of nitrogen on the soil potassium content in the layers below 5 cm indicated that the nutrient cycling may have occurred only in the soil surface (Table 1), since, the forage residue decomposition probably occurred in the soil surface as well
Summary
Cattle production on pastures in Brazil provides excellent market competitiveness, because it reduces production costs. The rational use of this resource is fundamental for increasing forage allowance and quality for ruminant nutrition. Pasture degradation reduces forage productivity and quality and directly affects the nutritional condition of the herds and the economic performance of the activity. The exhaustion of soil fertility and the improper fertilizer and corrective application are the main causes of pasture degradation. Considering the condition of the majority of the soils in Brazil, measures to correct this acidity need to be adopted. In the situations in which the soil requires lime, and this correction has not been made prior to pasture formation, the mechanical operation to incorporate the lime may affect plant populations. The recommendation on liming pastures requires better elucidation
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