Abstract
The Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) biome suffers intense degradation due to several anthropic activities and its recovery is extremely important for the restoration of environmental quality. Therefore, the present study tested the survival and growth of seedlings of the grass Schizachyrium tenerum produced by the division of clumps. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using Reddish Oxisol, dystrophic of “cerrado sensu stricto” and Litholic Neosol dystrophic of quartzitic rupestrian grassland with and without the addition of limestone and NPK. Survival of S. tenerum was also compared between being grown in a greenhouse and directly in the field in full sun. Seedlings of S. tenerum had greater survival, total growth, number of tillers and accumulation of biomass when cultivated in Reddish Oxisol and Reddish Oxisol with limestone added than in the other treatments. Seedling survival was three times greater when grown in a greenhouse than in full sun.
Highlights
Savanna and grassland vegetation types in Brazil, such as “cerrado sensu stricto” and rupestrian grassland (Campo Rupestre) are subject to constant degradation by human activities including agriculture and livestock monocultures (Klink & Machado, 2005), mining (Le stradic et al, 2015a) and road construction (Barbosa et al, 2010), among others, which have been intensifying in recent decades (e.g., Klink & Machado, 2005)
Seedlings grown in RGS (T4) had lower survival, with at least 50% of seedlings dying before 90 days (Figure 2)
As predicted by hypothesis I, seedlings grown in more fertile soils showed a higher survival rate and greater growth in treatments with Reddish Oxisol (T1 and T2)
Summary
Savanna and grassland vegetation types in Brazil, such as “cerrado sensu stricto” and rupestrian grassland (Campo Rupestre) are subject to constant degradation by human activities including agriculture and livestock monocultures (Klink & Machado, 2005), mining (Le stradic et al, 2015a) and road construction (Barbosa et al, 2010), among others, which have been intensifying in recent decades (e.g., Klink & Machado, 2005). Cerrado and grassland areas are dominated by herbaceous strata, mainly grasses (Haridassan, 2000; Viana & Lombardi, 2007; Messias et al, 2012; Le Stradic et al, 2015a). Exotic grass species are commonly used in areas that require rapid soil coverage, disregarding the great diversity of native species (Durigan et al, 2013). The environmental damage resulting from planting of exotic grasses includes biological invasions, impediment of the establishment of native species and changes in the process of ecological succession, in addition to favoring the occurrence of severe fires due to the accumulation of above ground biomass (Simberloff, 2003; Martins et al, 2007; Figueiredo et al, 2012)
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