Temporal variation of litter production and decomposition in pastures of marandu grass fertilized with doses of nitrogen

Abstract

Currently, one of the major Brazilian problems in cattle breeding is the degradation of pastures and the loss of soil nutrients, since most of the crops are reared, recreated and finished in the pasture. Soil litter production is a natural pasture resource that replaces the soil nutrients necessary for the formation of Soil Organic Matter (MOS). The application of nitrogen fertilizers, can help in the production and decomposition of this litter, contributing to the greater recycling of nutrients, causing the pastures to maintain quality for longer. The objective of this study is to quantify the litter production and decomposition of a pasture area of Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu established sixteen years ago, managed during the period of continuous loading and variable load, in order to maintain pasture height in 25 cm. Four pickets will be used, one treatment in each, 90,180, 270 kg of N / ha and control, without addition of nitrogenous fertilizer. The litter collections for evaluation of production and decomposition will be carried out according to the proposed methodology. Data analysis will be performed through the R (Core Team 2018) statistical program using mixed models to analyze the effects of treatments and measures repeated over time.