Caracterização do solo e do sistema radicular em pastagens de Pennisetum purpureum schum. manejadas sob diferentes intensidades de manejo em Itambé-PE

Abstract

The physical properties of the soil can be affected by stocking rate. When stocking rates are applied correctly can provide favorable environment for root growth. Nitrogen fertilization can also stimulate growth and root activity. Thus, the replacement nitrogen ecosystem grazing results in higher biomass production and more efficient absorption of the nutrients in the soil. Manipulation in stocking and fertilization interfere in the processes of decomposition of plant tissue affecting nutrient cycling in pasture ecosystems. The study was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco in Itambé for two years (2009-2010). The experimental treatments consisted of three stocking rates (2.0, 3.9 and 5.8 AU ha-1, 1 AU = 450 kg BW) and three nitrogen levels (0, 150 and 300 kg ha-1 N year-1) grazing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). Treatments were replicated three times and used a randomized block design in a split plot arrangement. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization and stocking rate on physical and chemical attributes of the soil, the root distribution in depth and decomposition of roots grazing elephant grass. For part of soil and destruction of root was determined soil bulk density, particle density, porosity, aggregate stability, infiltration rate of the soil water, the light fraction of soil organic matter, soil fertility in depth, root length density and root biomass. For the decomposition analysis, we used the simple exponential model for percentage of disappearance of biomass remaining N (%). The two stage model ("plateau linear") was used to describe ON, NIDA, N and LIG: N throughout the incubation period. The increased stocking rate resulted in higher densities of soil ranging from 1.42 to 1.58 g cm-3. The light fraction of soil organic matter decreased with increasing stocking rate. The aggregation index increased with depth with values of 42.07, 47.75 and 51.04% for the soil layers 0-2.5, 2.5-7.5 and 7.5-15 cm, respectively . Soil fertility also varied at 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80 and 80-100 cm. The root length had an effect between depths. In the 0-20 cm layer was longest of all types of roots (thin, thick and full). The decomposition of biomass in the second period (10-11) was higher in the first period (9-10). After 512 days of incubation, the biomass remaining in the first period was 40% whereas in the second period was 30%. The C: N ratio dropped to two periods over the 512 days of incubation, however, as they were passing incubation times, the C: N ratio for the second period fell faster (k = 0.00168 g g-1 day-1) compared to the first period (k = 0.00113 g g-1 day-1). The lignin content increased during the incubation time. At time zero, the lignin content in the first period was higher (~ 17%) found for the second period (~ 10%). The stabilization of lignin in the first period was only achieved after 240 days of decomposition with final value of 22%, whereas in the second period, stabilization was reached after 118 days of incubation with final value of approximately 20%. At the end of two years experimental treatments, stocking rate and nitrogen fertilization did not affect Pt, VIB and EA nor influenced the fertility of the soil, the root distribution and root residue decomposition during the trial period. Moreover, the stocking rate modified the soil density and light fraction organic matter. Nitrogen rates interfered with mineralization of N from the root stock.