Intervalo hídrico ótimo em diferentes sistemas de pastejo e manejo da pastagem. / Least limiting water range in different grazing systems and pasture management strategies.

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2003

RESUMO

A study was developed for evaluating the effect of different grazing systems and pasture management strategies on the Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR). The experimental site was located at the National Beef Cattle Research Center of Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Beef Cattle). The soil studied was a clay Oxisol (Typic Acrudox). Five sampling sites were selected: two under continuous grazing system, two under intensive short-duration grazing system, and one under native vegetation "cerrado" (CN). Thirty soil cores were collected in each site under continuous grazing system, established with Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk species. Sampling at continuous grazing sites was performed in a 10 x 10 m regular grid. One of the continuos grazing sites had received biannual fertilization (Cc) while the other was not fertilized (Cs). Sixty soil cores were collected in each site under intensive short-duration grazing system, established with Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia species, with thirty cores in the spatial position under the plants (up) and thirty cores in the spatial position between the plants (bp). Sampling at intensive short-duration grazing sites was performed in a 5 x 10 m regular grid. The difference between sites in intensive short-duration grazing system was the post-graze stubble. The post-graze stubble was 2,0-2,5 Mg total dry matter (TDM) ha -1 in one site (R1), and 3,0-3,5 Mg TDM ha -1 in the other (R2). Thirty soil cores were collected in CN, in a 10 x 10 m regular grid. The cores were subjected to a soil water suction gradient, and then used for soil bulk density (Db), soil penetration resistance (PR) and volumetric water content (qV) determinations. The data was used for developing soil resistance to penetration curve (SRP) and soil water retention curve (SWR) models doing regression fitting procedures. From SRP and SWR was possible to quantify the LLWR and the critical bulk density value (Dbc) identified as the Db value where LLWR is null. The CN site had the best soil physical condition for plant growth with the LLWR equal to available water. The fertilization did not influenced the LLWR in the continuos grazing system under evaluation, as a consequence of the similar stocking rates at both sites. The intensive short-duration grazing system had the worst soil physical condition for plant growth, as evaluated by the LLWR. The highest Db values and the lowest LLWR were found in R1bp, which may be a consequence of the high stocking rates observed at this site. The spatial sampling position (under the plants and between the plants) did not influenced the LLWR in the R2 site while in R1 the LLWR was much lower between plants. This result is a consequence of the cespitose growth habit of the Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia species, which leaves part of the soil surface uncovered and subjected to a direct action of animal trampling.

ASSUNTO(S)

capim tanzânia pastejo contínuo sistema de pastagem capim brachiaria crescimento vegetal tanzania grass rotational grazing pasture system pastejo rotativo soil physical property continuous grazing propriedade física do solo brachiaria grass plant growth

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