Theme 08: Grazing Ecology
Description
Native pastures of southern Brazil cover 12 million ha and are the main forage feed resource for most domestic livestock. However, their heavy and continuous use has reduced standing biomass and the presence of good forage species, reducing animal performance and jeopardizing the ecosystem sustainability. An alternative for better use of these pastures and their preservation is grazing deferment that allow natural reseeding. The objective of this research was evaluate native pasture dynamic after six years of grazing deferments (GD) periods and soil fertilization effects by point-quadrat method every season. All pasture components were affected by GD, with prostrate grasses increasing their frequency (P < 0.05) under continuous grazing while periods of rest encouraged erect plants. Fertilization improved pasture condition by reducing frequencies of no forage species, litter and bare soil, and increasing frequencies and dry matter contribution of good ones like native legumes, especially Desmodium incanum.
Included in
Dynamic of Native Pasture Influenced by Deferment of Grazing and Fertilization
Native pastures of southern Brazil cover 12 million ha and are the main forage feed resource for most domestic livestock. However, their heavy and continuous use has reduced standing biomass and the presence of good forage species, reducing animal performance and jeopardizing the ecosystem sustainability. An alternative for better use of these pastures and their preservation is grazing deferment that allow natural reseeding. The objective of this research was evaluate native pasture dynamic after six years of grazing deferments (GD) periods and soil fertilization effects by point-quadrat method every season. All pasture components were affected by GD, with prostrate grasses increasing their frequency (P < 0.05) under continuous grazing while periods of rest encouraged erect plants. Fertilization improved pasture condition by reducing frequencies of no forage species, litter and bare soil, and increasing frequencies and dry matter contribution of good ones like native legumes, especially Desmodium incanum.
