Abstract

FERREIRA, Eugénio Mendes; SIMOES, Nuno; CASTRO, Isabel Videira e  and  CARNEIRO, Luís. Relationships of Selected Soil Parameters and Natural Pastures Yield in the Montado Ecosystem of the Mediterranean Area Using Multivariate Analysis. Silva Lus. [online]. 2010, vol.18, n.2, pp.151-166. ISSN 0870-6352.

Chemical, physical and biological soil parameters (OM, total N, pH, P₂O₅, K₂O, Mg, B, WHC, free-living nitrogen fixing and rhizobial microflora properties) and pastures yield were characterized and used to determine relationships in 40 locations covering different growth conditions of the "montado" ecosystem. Soil samples were collected in Spring. Reasonable soil fertility was found. The soils presented, in general, intermediate values for OM, K₂O, Mg, and Bo and low values for pH and P₂O₅. Populations of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria were high, with an average of 4.2 x 10⁷ CFU g^-1 of soil, being nitrogenase activity highly variable, with an average of 34 nmoles of C₂H₄ g^-1 of soil h^-1. Rhizobial population associated to Trifolium subterraneum was high, with an average of 10⁶ bacteria g^-1 of soil, having adequate nitrogen fixing potential for the majority of the soils. Rhizobial population associated to Medicago polymorpha was low, with an average of 6.5 x 10⁴ bacteria g^-1 of soil, an insufficient value for a good nodulation, having low nitrogen fixing potential for the majority of the soils. Annual yield of natural pastures varied highly among locals, with an average of 3245 kg ha^-1, a usual value for this ecosystem. In general, soil properties were independent of the soil samples. The chemical parameters OM, P₂O₅, K₂O and total N were important factors to pasture yield. A great variability, even in soil samples collected within a short distance, was observed. A relationship between geological origin and productivity was found, being the granitic soils more productive in non-legume plants.

Keywords : Montado ecosystem; pasture yield; soil parameters; sustainable agriculture.

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