SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES, PRODUCTION OF MARANDU-GRASSLAND AND INTERRELATION WITH THE GRAZING INTENSITY

Abstract

The existence of spatial variability in soil properties influences the production of forage. The study aimed to determine the spatial distribution of soil chemical properties relating it to the production and the preference of grazing animals in pasture Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (Syn. Brachiaria brizantha) under continuous stocking. To characterize the pasture area, were carried out measurements of 108 points with distribution in irregular mesh with samplings to determine the chemical properties (pH, organic matter, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, H + Al) and soil density , forage production, sward height, SPAD index and intensity of grazing in the water period of 2012. The normality test was made, followed by a descriptive analysis of the data analysis and geostatistics. Although the present condition of operation, it was observed that the chemical characteristics of the soil and soil density, as well as production and pasture height space dependence, presented same pattern of response, inferring that such responses are inter-relation. The factors that cause variability in soil characteristics, also interfere in influencing pasture related in part in grazing animal. Chemical soil attributes, density, dry mass, height, and grazing intensity, set the exponential model. The estimation of the spatial variability of soil attributes together with assessment of the availability of pasture, and animal grazing preference points, are important tools for establishing criteria for use and differentiated management within the same pasture area, in order to prevent degradation of the soil and grass.