MINIMAL NUTRITION FOR PASTURE REGENERATION: A TECHNOLOGY TO BE STRENGTHENED IN ESPÍRITO SANTO

Abstract

Livestock farming is an extremely important activity for the economy of Espírito Santo. However, due to the high rate of animal stocking and especially the inadequate management of soil fertility in pasture areas, these constitute the majority of degraded areas in the state. This degradation generates extremely negative consequences for both the environment and the economy. To address this, the regeneration of these degraded pastures must rely on an efficient, simple, economical and easily adopted technology. The main forage planted in Espírito Santo is brachiaria (Syn. Urochloa), so pasture regeneration efforts focus on this species. The most responsive nutrients in productivity for this grass are calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). However, nitrogenous fertilizers are much more expensive and are subject to losses of various kinds, especially volatilization and leaching. Some theories and observations suggest that nitrogen may not be necessary in pasture regeneration. Thus, this paper aims to present the concept of “minimum nutrition for the regeneration of pastures” and recommend its application, as well as to detail the reasons that justify it and the observations and theories that support it. Based on a detailed discussion, it was possible to define that the “minimum nutrition for pasture regeneration” represents a promising technology that should be adopted and encouraged. This approach is as a way of modifying the degradation panel in the medium term, to favor the positive development of the cattle production chain in Espírito Santo.