STRUCTURAL RECOVERY AND PRODUCTION OF TIFTON 85 GRASS IN COMPACTED RED-YELLOW ARGISOL

Abstract

The soil compaction promoted for animal trampling and traffic of machines, is one of great impediments to attainment of raised pasture productivities. However, the soil-pasture relationship studies have not taken in consideration the biological soil descompaction, as well as its effect in productivity. This study objective was to evaluate dry mass production of Tifton 85 grass in function of different soil compaction degrees and potential of structural quality recovery of an Red-Yellow Argisol, promoted by forage plant. The experiment was carried out in green house, in delineation entirely randomized, with the tifton 85 grass crop in the following degrees of compacting: 64%, 84%, 90%, 93% and 100%, gotten for the assay of Normal Proctor. The attributes had been evaluated the soil physical- hydric, least limiting water range and forage dry mass production. Tifton 85 grass recovered the structure of Red-Yellow Argisol. The soil descompaction promoted adequate soil biophysics conditions to forage development. The dry mass production increased with the cutting succession independent of initial degree of soil compaction.

KEY WORDS: Biological soil descompaction, Cynodon sp., least limiting water range, recovery of pastures.