Forage production estimation in intensified pasture

• Grant number: 18/10770-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2018
• End date: April 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rubens Augusto Camargo Lamparelli
• Grantee: Diego Vinicius de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/26767-9 - Global Sustainable Bioenergy Initiative: geospatial & environmental analysis of pastureland intensification for bioenergy, AP.SPEC

Abstract

Most of pastures in Brazil are degraded or in process of degradation. It is estimated that 100 million hectares in these situations. In the Western Region of São Paulo State, the situation is not different. However, some properties of the region are investing in technology and improving the pasture areas. In the process of recovery these areas, several models are adopted with different results in the biomass production and possibilities of pasture intensification. These models need to be studied, understood and disseminated. To generate this information, two farms of the Western Region of São Paulo State that present different pasture intensification systems will be monitored. One of the farms presents two different management systems and the second farm presents five different systems. The description of the systems in each farm is attached. Samples will be collected in 12 points of each management system the pasture area in the farms, followed by the determination of the biomass produced. The collections will be held in three seasons (June and October 2018 and February 2019). In addition to the biomass determination, soil samples will be collected at the first and last collection date for the purpose of fertility evaluation in the different managements. The objective of the study is to determine the biomass production in different pasture managements at three different times and to use the soil fertility data to explain the greater or lesser vegetation production in each pasture management system. (AU)