Production and quality of Urochloa decumbens (stapf) r.d.webster forage co-related to the physical and chemical properties of the soil

Abstract

Frequently degraded pastureland characterized by low soil fertility and compacted surface is the basic environment
of Brazilian livestock. The physical and chemical characterization of soil and its co-relationship with forage production
are determining factors for performance of animals raised on pasture. The objective was to analyze the forage production
of Urochloa decumbens grass correlated, linearly and spatially, with physical and chemical attributes of a savannah soil
in Selvíria - MS, Brazil. A geostatistical web was introduced for the collection of soil and plant data, with 120 sampling
sites within an area of 56.09 ha. The descriptive analysis of the data was undertaken and linear co-relationships, both
simple and multiple, were established between plant and soil properties. Semivariograms were modeled and their respective
krigings and cross-validations obtained, coupled to co-krigings (plant and soil). Production of dry matter and crude
protein rates of U. decumbens may be estimated by regressions and the mechanical resistance to penetration and
gravimetric humidity of the soil evaluated. Since organic matter rate and the gravimetric humidity of the soil are corelated
spatially with the rate of crude protein of U. decumbens, they are the best factors to calculate or increase the
forage crude protein rate.