INFLUENCE OF A SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM ON FORAGE PARAMETERS IN THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNA

Abstract

The association between pasture and tree is known as silvopastoral systems (SPS). Aimed at evaluating the forage produced in these systems, an experiment was conducted in Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 19° 35’ 36’’ S, 43° 51’ 56’’ W; altitude 747m. The system has been under development since 1984, through the natural regeneration of pioneer trees, of the Zeyheria tuberculosa Vell. Bur. species which are native to the Brazilian savanna. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu (BBM) was the chosen forage and was collected in Jan 2006, a typical month of hydric stress. The production was assessed in terms of quantity and quality. In the density studied, 160 trees ha-1, the presence of trees in pastures of BBM caused no reduction in dry matter production (DMP) from forage. Tree components reduced the weather stress and enhanced the nutritional aspects of forage, increasing the crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels. Trees did not influence the calcium (Ca2+), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin levels. Therefore, the SPS showed the potential to extend the forage quality availability