Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Native pastures'

This thesis examines the hypothesis that, in southern New South Wales and northeast Victoria, Australia, palatable taxa of E. curvula offer advantages that complement those of the species that are traditionally sown in temperate pastures in a landscape context.This hypothesis was based on a review of literature showing that, prior to European settlement, the vegetation, the landscape and the climate were broadly in balance, and the wateruse pattern of the vegetation of southeastern Australia resulted in water being used more-or-less completely by the end of summer. This maximised the capacity of the soil to take up and store water during autumn and winter.Three grazing experiments and one spaced-plant species evaluation study were used to assess the role of summer-growing, C4 Eragrostis curvula in pastures in the temperate zone of southeastern Australia.Issues relating to pasture production and the productivity of wool-growing sheep were investigated. Factors affecting the sustainability of the pastures and their potential on and off site impacts were emphasised.Modelling was used to explore issues of water use, arising from the grazing experiments. It is concluded that the persistence, production, water use patterns, and the adaptability of palatable varieties of E. curvula make it a useful and complementary addition to the range of species that are currently available for use as sown pastures in southern Australia.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Over the past several decades, native and managed bee populations have decreased in the United States and worldwide. Although bee decline is attributable to several factors, habitat loss is the primary driver. Simultaneously, cattle producers in the eastern U.S. rely primarily on cool-season forages that peak in biomass production in late spring, leading to a lack of forage in the summer months and increasing the costs of cattle production. Seeding pastures with a mix of native warm-season grasses and native wildflowers could increase forage availability while also increasing available resources for bees. In this study, a mix of three native warm-season grasses (NWSGs) and 15 wildflower species was planted at the Virginia Tech Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SVAREC). The objectives of this project were to document the establishment and species composition of NWSG + wildflower pasture mixtures, compare the attractiveness of wildflowers and weedy species to bees, and compare the bee community between NWSG + wildflower pastures and more typical cool-season grass pastures. The wildflowers in the NWSG + wildflower pastures dominated over grasses. All wildflower species that established were attractive to bees, as were some weedy species. The NWSG + wildflower treatments had the highest abundance of bees collected, with an average of 14.8 bees collected per pasture per sampling date in 2018, and an average of 12.4 bees collected per pasture per sampling date in 2019. These results indicate that with modification of establishment methods so that more grasses are present, this pasture system could be beneficial from both a cattle production and bee conservation standpoint.
Master of Science in Life Sciences
Over the past several decades, there has been a decline in bee populations in the U.S. and around the world. Bees play an important role in pollinating many food crops, including most fruits and vegetables. Habitat loss is the biggest contributor to their decline. There are also issues with cattle production in the eastern U.S. Most farmers rely on grasses that are the most productive in the late spring and early summer, meaning that by mid- and late summer, there is little grass available for cattle. Planting pastures with native grasses designed to be the most productive in the late summer and native wildflowers could increase food available for cattle as well as provide more pollen and nectar for bees. In this experiment, we planted a mix of three grasses and 15 wildflowers. We documented how well the grasses and wildflowers established. We also examined how attractive wildflowers and weeds were to bees and compared the number and types of bees collected between the new pastures and traditional pastures. We found that the wildflowers, instead of the grasses, dominated the pastures. All wildflowers that established, as well as some weeds, attracted bees and provided resources. Higher numbers of bees were collected in the pastures with wildflowers than standard grass pastures, but there were not necessarily more bee species present. These results suggest that, with some modifications, planting native grasses and wildflowers in pastures could help conserve bees as well as benefit cattle farmers.

3 pp.
Tips for Arizona's Rural Landowners Series -- Plants Unit
The Tips for Arizona's Rural Landowners Fact Sheet Series is intended to educate homeowners who have recently purchased small acreages in Arizona. The purpose of the series is to give homeowners information about living in rural settings. The Plant Unit includes fact sheets on Arizona's native plant law, small-scale gardening, pasture establishment, invasive plants, and assessing plant damage.

Tall fescue, a cool-season grass native to Europe, central Asia, and northern Africa, has been widely distributed throughout the U.S. for use as turf and forage. Following its widespread planting, its ability to associate with a toxic fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum, was discovered. Research has linked this fescue-endophyte association with increased biotic and abiotic stress resistance in endophyte-infected (E+) versus endophyte-free (E-) plants, and these differences may affect the ability of land managers to eradicate tall fescue and restore native grasslands. I conducted three studies to examine whether E+ tall fescue plants respond differently to management than E- plants, and whether the success of planted native species might be impacted via indirect soil effects. My overall hypotheses were that E+ plants would recover from restoration/eradication efforts better than E- plants, and that E+ fescue would reduce microbial symbionts in the soil needed by planted native species. I first conducted a field study of a tall fescue pasture consisting of four sub-units being restored with different combinations of prescribed burns and/or herbicide applications, as well as an unmanaged control. I found no evidence of E+ plants preferentially surviving restoration management; however this field had unusually low endophyte infection rates to begin with. The second study was a greenhouse experiment in which I measured growth of E+ and E- plants exposed to different watering regimes (wet, dry) and prescribed burn treatments (none, one, or two burns). Watering regime significantly affected all measured growth parameters (wet>dry), but few endophyte effects were found and when present were opposite the hypothesis (E->E+). All burned plants quickly re-grew tiller lengths comparable to the unburned control, with recovery occurring faster following the second burn compared to the first. My final study examined growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of native species planted by seed into soil from beneath E+ and E- tall fescue. I observed few differences in mycorrhizal colonization or biomass for seedlings between soil from E+ and E- tall fescue. Taken together, my results indicate endophyte status of tall fescue pastures being restored to native grassland species may not be important in governing restoration success.

The llama (lama glama) in the Bolivian Highlands region is a most important potential resource from the socio-economic point of view for the dedicated producer to the management and exploitation of these Andean camelids, considered as national heritage of our country. The llama is completely adapted to the high plateau system, being considered a three purposed animal in this environment: producer of fiber, meat and work (load). However, due to the expansion of sheep and cattle, they have been marginalized to the poor areas, where they prosper well because they are rustic, sober and greatly efficient in the conversion of food and resistance to the weather of the ecological environment of the Andes. The overuse of pastures, due to the increasing number of heads, has caused imbalance, as the burden of the animal is greater than the load capacity of the native prairie. This translates to the dietary deficiency that affects the rate of fertility, birth, fiber production, meat production and others. The llama is characterized by its great capacity to take advantage of the native grasses, which do not have any studies on the degradability in different seasons and the grade of degradability of forage consumed in different fermentation times in the first compartment of the stomach. Therefore, this work of research, through its results, will create the implementation of conservation programs, improvement and implementation of native grasslands and cultivated to meet the nutritional needs of the llama. In the present work, the degradability of forages from the native prairies, for llamas in the rain season, has been planted to know to determine how long it takes to produce maximum degradability and know in what percentage the nutrients are utilized. With the results, programs can be developed to determine whether or not there is an unmet demand for nutrients.

Clearance of Eucalyptus woodlands has resulted in soil deterioration and lost agricultural production, due to wind erosion, salinity and soil acidity. Despite increasing efforts to reverse these trends through Landcare and other revegetation and agroforestry programs, there is a lack of experimentally-based information about the effects of trees on native pasture performance. The study was carried out in a temperate environment (Southern Tablelands, New South Wales). The altitude at the study sites ranged from 740 to 880m and the aspect at the experimental plots varied from SE to SW. The nearest site was 16 km from Canberra Airport and all sites were situated within similar rainfall isohyets as Canberra Airport. Thus climatic conditions were expected to be similar. Climate records at Canberra Airport indicate that January is the hottest month with mean maximum temperature of 27.7 �C and July is the coldest month with a maximum of 11.1 �C. Rainfall in the area ranges from 37.5 to 66.0 mm monthly average in June and October respectively. The main tree species in the study area were Eucalyptus pauciflora, E. melliodora and E. mannifera. Furthermore, Poa labillardieri, P. sieberiana, Themeda australis, Danthonia penicillata and Microlaena stipoides were the most abundant pasture species on the experimental plots. Species of clover (Trifolium spp.) were also abundant among the herbs. This study used pasture assessment techniques to quantify the effects of remnant patches of Eucalyptus open woodlands on the composition, quality and biomass production of herbaceous understorey vegetation. Microclimate and soil nutrients were also compared under trees and in the open. In addition, consumption by vertebrate grazers under Eucalyptus trees and in the open was compared. Tree density and basal area were compared with herbage standing crop. Remnant patches of Eucalyptus open woodlands modify the microclimate by reducing wind reaching the understorey vegetation. However no significant effects on ambient air temperature and relative humidity were recorded. The effect of trees on soil moisture was contingent to differences between the four sites and soil depth. Despite a 13% higher soil organic matter in the top 15 cm of soil under trees, soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus did not differ from that in the open. Surface soil pH values were lower (by 0.2 units) under the trees. No significant effect of trees on pasture species richness was found. However the classification of quadrats on the basis of species presence showed a distinction between species composition under trees and in the open at one of the four sites. vi The contribution of pasture species to total dry weight on plots under trees and in the open did depend on the particular species involved and was also contingent to differences between sites. However at the sites where Vulpia bromoides and Poa sieberiana were abundant, the two species dominated the biomass under trees. Whereas Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides dominated the biomass under trees at two sites and in the open at only one of the four sites. Pasture total N content differed between sites. Two of the sites had significantly higher (5.9% and 19.7%) N content under trees. On the contrary, pastures at one site contained 18.7% higher N content in the open. The total P content was 18% higher in pastures under trees. Overall, the pasture standing crop under trees was 15% less than in the open during August to May. Vertebrate grazers consumed about the same amount of pasture under the trees and in the open at the four experimental sites.

O conhecimento dos mecanismos de pastejo dos equinos em pastos nativos é fator relevante para a melhor compreensão das relações dos animais com a complexidade da vegetação, possibilitando a otimização das funções ecossistêmicas e viabilização da criação. Com este propósito, foi avaliado por meio de monitoramento contínuo, o comportamento ingestivo de seis potros ao pé de éguas Crioulas, do nascimento aos 130 dias de idade, com intervalos 15 dias. Os animais foram divididos em duas manadas, manejadas em pastoreio contínuo, com oferta de forragem não-limitante, em pastagem natural do Bioma Pampa, região de Campos de solos rasos, Santana do Livramento, RS. Foram verificadas as relações e fatores de influência no aprendizado de pastejo do potro. O monitoramento contínuo por observação direta permitiu avaliar instantaneamente os bocados realizados pelos potros, durante quatro horas a partir do amanhecer, e quatro horas antes do anoitecer. Foram realizadas simulações de bocados para estimativa de MS de cada categoria de bocado e taxas de ingestão de MS instantânea dos animais. A composição e diversidade da dieta do potro em relação à mãe e aos pares demonstrou padrões de distanciamento que evidenciam funções definidas com a idade na evolução da herbivoria do potro. Verificaram-se duas fases bem definidas na evolução do pastejo do potro. A primeira fase exploratória, entre 0 e 60 dias, caracterizada pela grande diversidade de bocados e baixa ingestão de MS vegetal. Neste período, a base do aporte nutricional é via amamentação, e evidencia o maior distanciamento entre componentes da dieta de mãe e respectivo potro. O índice de diversidade da dieta do potro é maior que o índice de diversidade da vegetação, o que ratifica o caráter exploratório. A segunda fase, de especialização, inicia a partir dos 60 dias, onde ocorre uma especialização para a função ingestão de MS, preconizada pelo aumento na MS e diminuição na diversidade dos bocados. O grande aumento na ingestão de MS pelo potro entre 60 e 80 dias de vida denota um alinhamento das funções de égua e potro, com os padrões de composição da dieta semelhantes, se estabilizando ao redor de 100 dias. Entretanto, há diferenças entre as dietas dos grupos familiares (égua-potro), confererindo um fator cultural materno filial. A identificação dos períodos e fatores de aprendizagem do potro pode respaldar estratégias de manejo para melhor condução dos métodos de pastoreio dos equinos em ambientes pastoris, especialmente em pastagens naturais com grande biodiversidade, visando contemplar e ampliar funções ecossistêmicas.
Understanding the foraging mechanisms of horses in native pastures is a relevant factor for better comprehending the relationship of those animals in response to the vegetation complexity. It allows for optimizing ecosystem functions and livestock production. The ingestive behavior of six pairs of Criolo mares and foals was evaluated using continuous bite monitoring, from birth to 130 days, in 15 days intervals. The animals were divided in two groups, managed under continuous stocking, with non-limiting herbage allowance, in the shallow soil Pampa Grasslands, in southern Brazil. The relationships between and within pairs, and other influencing factors for the foraging learning process were assessed. The continuous monitoring allowed for evaluating bites for four hours after dawn and four hours before dusk. Bite simulations were done for estimating bite mass for each category, and calculating instantaneous dry matter intake rate. The diverging patterns of the foals’ diet composition and diversity in relation to their dams and to other peers indicated defined functions that varied with age in the evolution of herbivory. Two distinct phases were identified. First, an exploratory phase from 0 to 60 days, characterized by a great diversity of bites with low herbage intake and very distinct from the dam. During this period, milk is the main dietary component, and the diet (herbal) diversity index was larger than the diversity index for the vegetation. A second phase started at 60 days of age, where dry matter intake increased, by a specialization towards less diverse bites, but with higher mass. The large increase in dry matter intake between 60 and 80 days denoted an alignment of the intake functions of the mare and the foal, with similar diet composition, stabilizing at around 100 days. On the other hand, there was a difference on diet composition between family groups, indicating a cultural maternal filial influence. The identification of periods and factors affecting the foraging learning process of the foals can allow for improving pasture management strategies, especially on high-diversity, natural grasslands, contemplating and amplifying ecosystem functions.

The goal of this work was to quantify the effects of eucalypt woodland blocks on the productivity of native pastures. This research was conducted on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Tree planting or retention is seen by many as an important tool in addressing the problems of soil degradation resulting from clearing and pasture improvement that threaten the sustainability of pasture systems. In particular these are dry land salinity and erosion, both of which affect large areas of agricultural lands in the south east of Australia. Whilst native tree cover remains over substantial portions of Australian pasture lands, mainly on steeper slopes and poorer soils, little has been done to measure the effects of trees on pasture productivity and soil fertility on the Southern Tablelands. Previous studies in other areas have shown a range of effects�from facilitation to inhibition�of pasture growth in the presence of trees. Soil fertility beneath trees has been shown by a number of workers to be elevated in comparison with situations in the open. Given that the range of effects may be highly site dependent, application of results from one area to another may not be valid. Thus it is necessary to measure tree effects on a regional scale if results are to be reliable. Pasture productivity was assessed over a two year period on four sites in the vicinity of Bungendore, New South Wales. A pair of plots was selected on each site, one plot in a block of eucalypt woodland, and the other nearby in an exposed, open situation. Plots were chosen to be as similar to each other as possible with the exception of tree cover. Treed plots had a tree basal area of between 10 and 20 m2 ha-1 and plots had an area of 900 m2. Two of the sites were on granitic soils and had a tree cover consisting predominantly of Eucalyptus pauciflora. The remaining two sites were on soil derived from sedimentary rocks with tree cover consisting mainly of E. mannifera, E. dives and E. melliodora. Perennial native pasture species present were similar across all sites, although their relative contributions to standing biomass varied between sites. As the plots were grazed during the period of measurement, productivity and offtake were measured seasonally using exclosure cages on each plot. Pasture standing biomass was assessed using the comparative yield technique. Microclimate was monitored in each plot by automatic weather stations. Soil moisture to a depth of 45 cm was measured by time domain reflectometry using permanent probes in each plot. Ten additional survey plots on each site, covering the range of tree basal area from 0 - 30 m2 ha-1, were assessed each season in the second year for standing biomass, soil fertility and pasture quality; expressed by nitrogen content and dry matter digestibility. Pasture floristics were measured using the dry-weight-rank method. These additional plots were chosen to be as representative of the paddocks as possible. Over the two years that productivity was measured, it was found to be higher under trees than in the open. This was predominantly due to higher winter and spring growth within treed plots. Grazing offtake was also found to be higher under trees, partly accounting for lower standing biomass found in the treed plots. Wind run, evapotranspiration and photosynthetically active radiation were all reduced by the presence of trees. Beneficial effects of shelter from winds may largely explain the higher productivity observed in the treed plots, and could outweigh negative effects of below ground competition and radiation interception by tree canopies at low to moderate tree densities. Soil moisture was not affected by the presence of trees. Soil fertility also did not differ between treed and open plots nor was there any difference in pasture nitrogen content or dry matter digestibility. On the sites where soils were derived from sedimentary rocks, pasture floristics were found to be related to tree basal area. Themeda ausfralis biomass was negatively related to tree basal area, and was partially replaced by large tussock species such as Poa sieberiana and Chionochloa pallida. A reduction of pasture quality resulted, particularly as the latter species is not grazed to any significant extent. Given the desirability of having deep rooted perennial components in grazing lands, the results of this study indicate that it may be possible to utilise trees to assist in preventing or reducing a range of adverse environmental consequences arising from agricultural activities, without unduly compromising pasture productivity. Additionally, the wide range of environmental conditions provided by a mix of treed and open pasture promotes a higher degree of heterogeneity of the herbaceous layer. This may assist in maintaining productivity over a greater range of climatic conditions than would be the case with a more homogeneous pasture.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of the association of „capim-de-raiz‟ (Chloris orthonoton Doell.) and „capim-milhã‟ [Brachiaria plantaginea (Link.) Hitchc.], concerning growth, persistence and production, as well to morphanatomically characterize the legume „orelha de onça‟ (Macroptilium martii Benth.). In order to evaluate the dynamics of the association „capim-de-raiz‟ and „capim-milhã‟, two experiments were carried out: I. Evaluation of deferred native pasture concerning botanical composition and forage mass; II. Growth dynamics of „capim-milhã‟ and „capim-de-raiz‟. Experiment I was conducted at the Experimental Station of IPA, in São Bento do Una - PE from 2007 to 2008 with different evaluation periods for forage mass and botanical composition. Experiment II was conducted at a greenhouse in the Animal Science Department - UFRPE, from 09.26.06 to 07.26.07. Soil blocks with the plant community were taken from native pasture area of the Experimental Station of Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco - IPA, in São Bento do Una - PE, and placed in plastic pots remaining at a greenhouse in UFRPE. Pots were submitted to four irrigation schedules: Irrigation I - irrigation at the beginning of the experiment; Irrigation II - started two months after Irrigation I; Irrigation III - started four months after irrigation I and Irrigation IV - started six months after irrigation I. After the initial irrigation of each period, all pots were irrigated every seven days until drainage and regrowth number, seedling number, plant number and inflorescence number were evaluated. Morphanatomical characterization of „orelha de onça‟ leaf was analyzed with optical microscopy in cross-sections confectioned laminae. 10 families, 15 genera and 18 species were identified in the deferred pasture. In botanical composition from May to August 2007, „capim-milhã‟ was the main component from 60 to 90 days with 46.75 and 52.09%, respectively. In August 2007, other species participated with 57.75% of the botanical composition; at the end of evaluation in year 2008 other species occupied 100% of the composition. The highest forage mass (kg DM/ha) for „capim-milhã‟ (2.736) occurred at 90 days, for other species (3.141) and „capim-de-raiz‟ (2.701) at 120 days. In soil blocks it was observed that regrowth occurred only after 30 days of assessment for initial irrigation and the highest number of seedlings to the pots occurred at 30 days. It was observed at 60 days the largest number of grasses for irrigation III and at 90 days for irrigation IV, and that most of inflorescence appeared at 90 days. In deferred area the use of stockpiled forage should preferably take place from 60 to 90 days. The main form of establishment of „capim-de-raiz‟ was by germination and at 150 days it was observed population growth of other species. It was observed paracytic and amphistomatic stomata, simple and uniseriate hairs, palisade and spongy chlorophyll parenchyma in „orelha de onça‟ leaf blade. In stem vascular system it was observed a range of libero-ligneous beams in the internodes area, separating cortex of medulla. Foliar and stem anatomical characteristics are common to legumes.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica da associação capim-de-raiz (Chloris orthonoton Doell.) e capim-milhã [Brachiaria plantaginea (Link.) Hitchc.], quanto ao crescimento, persistência e produção, bem como caracterizar morfoanatomicamente a leguminosa orelha de onça (Macroptilium martii Benth.). Para avaliar a dinâmica da associação capim-de-raiz e capim-milhã, foram realizados dois experimentos: I. Avaliação de um pasto nativo diferido quanto à composição botânica e massa de forragem; II. Dinâmica do crescimento do capim-milhã e capim-de-raiz. O experimento I foi conduzido na Estação Experimental do IPA, no município de São Bento do Una - PE, de 2007 a 2008, sendo utilizados diferentes períodos para avaliação da massa de forragem e composição botânica. O experimento II foi realizado em telado no Departamento de Zootecnia - UFRPE, durante o período de 26.09.06 a 26.07.07. Cubos de solos com a comunidade vegetal foram retirados de área de pastagem nativa, da Estação Experimental do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco - IPA, no município de São Bento do Una - PE, e colocados em vasos plásticos permanecendo em telado da UFRPE. Os vasos foram submetidos a quatro épocas de início de irrigação: Irrigação I ¿ irrigação por ocasião da implantação do experimento; Irrigação II ¿ iniciada dois meses após a irrigação I; Irrigação III ¿ iniciada quatro meses após a irrigação I e Irrigação IV ¿ iniciada seis meses após a irrigação I. Após a irrigação inicial de cada período, todos os vasos foram irrigados a cada sete dias até drenagem e foram avaliados o número de rebrotes, número de plântulas, número de plantas e número de inflorescências. A caracterização morfoanatômica foliar da orelha de onça foi analisada em microscopia óptica em lâminas confeccionadas em secções transversais. Foram identificadas 10 famílias, 15 gêneros e 18 espécies no pasto diferido. Na composição botânica de maio a agosto de 2007, o capim-milhã foi o componente principal dos 60 aos 90 dias com 46,75 e 52,09%, respectivamente. Em agosto de 2007, outras espécies participaram com 57,75% da composição botânica; no ano de 2008 ao final da avaliação, outras espécies ocuparam 100% da composição. As maiores massas de forragem (kg de MS/ha) para o capim-milhã (2.736) foram aos 90 dias, e para outras espécies (3.141) e capim-de-raiz (2.701) aos 120 dias. Nos cubos de solo, observou-se que o rebrote ocorreu apenas aos 30 dias de avaliação para irrigação inicial e o maior número de plântulas para os vasos ocorreu aos 30 dias. Foi observado aos 60 dias o maior número de gramíneas para irrigação III e aos 90 dias para irrigação IV, e que a maioria das inflorescências surgiu aos 90 dias. Em área diferida, o aproveitamento da forragem acumulada deve ocorrer preferencialmente dos 60 aos 90 dias. A principal forma de estabelecimento foi por germinação de sementes e aos 150 dias observou-se crescimento populacional de outras espécies. Foram observados na lâmina foliar da orelha de onça estômatos paracíticos e anfiestomáticos, pelos simples e unisseriados, parênquima clorofiliano em paliçada e esponjoso. Nos sistemas vasculares do caule observou-se, nas áreas dos entrenós, uma faixa de feixes líbero-lenhosos separando o córtex da medula. As características anatômicas foliares e caulinares são comuns às leguminosas.

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Water erosion is the main soil degradation factor, which is influenced by rain, soil, relief, land use and management and coverage and conservation practices. The land use, coverage and soil management is not always adequate, resulting in significant erosion due also to the lack of cultivation and conservation practices adapted systems. As a result, the water and soil loss by water erosion were quantified in Haplumbrept soil in two experiments. In one, the treatments without replicate were differentiated by doses of fertilizer applied to the soil surface in no-tillage condition. In another experiment, with a replicate, the treatments consisted of no-tillage, burned natural pasture and native pasture. In no-tillage treatments were cultivated radish, black beans, vetch, corn, oats and soybeans in rotation. Treatments with crops, with natural pasture and burned natural pasture were compared to a control treatment where the soil was kept uncultivated and unfertilized. Increases fertilizer dose applied on the soil surface cultivated by direct seeding condition increased the production of plant biomass and grain and reduced water loss and soil erosion by water. Increases fertilizer dose applied on the soil surface cultivated by direct seeding condition increased the phosphorus content in the soil surface and, thus, increased the content of the erosion sediments, but decreased the total amount of the element lost by water erosion. The loss of soil and water erosion by water related exponentially decreasing manner with the amount of fertilizer applied on the soil surface in no-tillage condition. The loss of soil by erosion is changed with the change of land use; It were lower in the native field condition, intermediate in native pasture submitted to the annual and largest growing native field in which the aerial biomass is regularly burned; water losses are not modified. The water losses by runoff are less influenced than soil loss by water erosion, both in different conditions of soil management, as in different forms of land use
A erosão hídrica é o principal fator de degradação do solo, a qual é influenciada pela chuva, solo, relevo, uso da terra e manejo e cobertura e práticas de conservação. O uso da terra, a cobertura e manejo do solo nem sempre é adequado, o que resulta em grande erosão, devido, ainda, à falta de sistemas de cultivo e de práticas conservacionistas adaptadas. Em função disso, as perdas de água e solo pela erosão hídrica foram quantificadas num Cambissolo Húmico alumínico léptico, em dois experimentos. Em um, os tratamentos, sem repetição, foram diferenciados por doses de adubo aplicado na superfície do solo em condição de semeadura direta. Em outro experimento, com uma repetição, os tratamentos consistiram de semeadura direta, campo nativo queimado e campo nativo. Nos tratamentos de semeadura direta foram cultivados nabo forrageiro, feijão preto, ervilhaca comum, milho, aveia preta e soja, em rotação. Os tratamentos com cultivo e os de campo foram comparados a um tratamento testemunha em que o solo foi mantido sem cultivo e sem adubação. O aumento da dose de adubos aplicados na superfície do solo cultivado em condição de semeadura direta aumentou a produção de biomassa vegetal e de grãos e diminui as perdas de água e solo por erosão hídrica. O aumento da dose de adubos aplicados na superfície do solo cultivado em condição de semeadura direta aumentou o teor de fósforo na superfície do solo e, com isso, aumenta o teor nos sedimentos da erosão, mas diminuiu a quantidade total do elemento perdido por erosão hídrica. As perdas de solo e de água por erosão hídrica se relacionaram exponencialmente, de modo decrescente, com a quantidade de adubos aplicados na superfície do solo em condição de semeadura direta. A perda de solo por erosão hídrica foi modificada com a mudança de uso da terra; foi menor na condição de campo nativo, intermediária em campo nativo submetido ao cultivo anual e maior em campo nativo em que a biomassa da parte aérea é regularmente queimada; as perdas de água não foram modificadas. As perdas de água por escoamento superficial foram menos influenciadas do que as perdas de solo por erosão hídrica, tanto em diferentes condições de manejo do solo, quanto, em distintas formas de uso da terra

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-15T12:44:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jorge Serrao Pinto Filho.pdf: 1255280 bytes, checksum: b96b8cb8323e3c90862fc8d89ce64c78 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-15T12:44:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jorge Serrao Pinto Filho.pdf: 1255280 bytes, checksum: b96b8cb8323e3c90862fc8d89ce64c78 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
The objective was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and components non-carcass of sheep kept on native pasture semiarid region subjected to different offer levels forage (2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 kg DM / kg BW). The pasture was made up of Caatinga, enriched with grass búffel (Cenchrus ciliares L. cv Biloela) and grass corrente (Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy.), with the predominance of mainly native species such as mororó (Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) Steud.) and the Feijão bravo (Capparis flexuosa L.). The grazing season was held at two years (2013 and 2014) with a duration of 39 and 84 days, respectively, being animals slaughtered above after these periods. It was made skinning and gutting and then it was obtained the absolute weights not carcass components, the empty body weight (EBW), hot carcass weights (HCW). After the carcass were placed in a cold chamber at 4 ° C for 24 hours. The still entire carcass were evaluated its morphometry. In the left half carcass It was made the cuts commercials shoulder, neck, hand saw, rib, loin and ham. Was used a completely randomized designing in split plot. Occurred quadratic effect (P<0,05) between herbage allowance levels of the consumption of dry matter (CDM), the consumption of organic matter (COM), the consumption of neutral detergent fiber (CNDF), the consumption of acid detergent insoluble protein (CADIP), digestibility of dry matter (DDM), the total weight gain, the average daily gain weight, body weight at slaughter (BWS), the the empty body weight (EBW), hot carcass weight (HCW), the cold carcass weight (CCW) and cut loin showing better values between the average level of 2.83 (kg DM / kg BW). The herbage allowance levels of (kg DM / kg BW) do not alter the characteristics of the weight of components not sheep carcasses kept on native pasture Semiarid.
Objetivou-se avaliar as características de carcaça e os componentes não-carcaça de ovinos mantidos em pasto nativo do Semiárido submetidos a diferentes níveis de oferta de forragem (2,0; 2,5; 3,0; 3,5 kg MS/ kg PC). O pasto era constituído de Caatinga, enriquecida com capim búffel (Cenchrus ciliares L. cv Biloela) e capim corrente (Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy.), com o predomínio principalmente das espécies nativas como o mororó (Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) Steud.) e o Feijão bravo (Capparis flexuosa L.). A estação de pastejo foi realizada em dois anos (2013 e 2014) com duração de 39 e 84 dias, respectivamente, sendo os animais abatidos logo após estes períodos. Foi feito a esfola e evisceração, em seguida foi obtido os pesos absolutos dos componentes não carcaça, o peso corporal vazio (PCVZ), pesos de carcaça quente (PCQ). Após as carcaça foram colocadas em um câmara fria a 4 ºC por 24 horas. As carcaça ainda inteiras foram avaliadas sua morfometria. Na meia carcaça esquerda foi feito os cortes comerciais paleta, pescoço, serrote, costela, lombo e pernil. Utilizou-se o desenho experimental interiamente casualizado em parcelas subdivididas. Ocorreu efeito quadrático (P<0,05) entre os níveis de oferta de forragem sobre o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), o consumo de matéria orgânica (CMO), o consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN), o consumo de proteína insolúvel em detergente ácido (CPIDA), a disgestibilidade da matéria seca (DMS), o ganho de peso total, o ganho de peso médio diário, o peso corporal ao abate (PCA), o peso corporal vazio (PCVZ), o peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), o peso de carcaça fria (PCF) e o corte lombo apresentando melhores valores entre o nível médio de 2,83 (kg de MS/ kg de PC). Os níveis de oferta de forragem (kg de MS/ kg de PC) não alteraram nas características dos componentes não carcaça de ovinos mantidos em pasto nativo do Semiárido.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
With the objective to evaluate the effect of local application of herbicides in grassland vegetation to control of alecrim do campo, was conducted a study in 2006/07 in a private property, located in district of Santa Flora municipality of Santa Maria, physiographic region of the Depressão Central of Rio Grande do Sul. The experimental design was a split plot arranged in blocks with three replications in a factorial arrangement of (5x3)+1, five herbicides with three doses and the control. The plots corresponded to the herbicides, been located the doses in zero; 360 +96; 720 +192 and 1080 +288 g ha-1 of acid equivalent (a. e.) of 2.4-D + picloran; zero; 1005, 2010 and 3015 g ha -1 of the a. e. of 2.4 D; zero; 720; 1440 and 2160 g ha-1 of a. e. of triclopyr; zero; 90 +90; 180 +180 and 270 +270 g ha-1 of a. e. of 2.4 D + picloran and zero; 120 +120; 240 +240 and 360 +360 g ha-1 of a. e. fluroxipir + picloran. The subplots were composed by 8 tables arranged on a flat line, where were made a survey prior to application, one 60 and another 353 days after application (DAA). For the herbicides application were used a "Chemical Applicator." The results showed that all herbicides had significant difference in reducing the number of stems of alecrim do campo in relation to the control, and there was no significant difference between the herbicides. All herbicides showed a significant difference in reducing the abundance of alecrim do campo from the field, in relation to the control in 60 and 353 DAA. In the first survey there was no significant difference between treatments in relation to the average heights of alecrim do campo stems. In the third survey, 353 DAA, the herbicide fluroxipir + picloran located in dose 360+360 g e.a ha-1 showed a greater reduction in height.
Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação localizada de herbicidas na vegetação campestre, para controle do alecrim do campo, foi realizado um estudo de 2006/07 em uma propriedade particular, no distrito de Santa Flora situado no município de Santa Maria, região fisiográfica da Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul. O delineamento experimental foi em parcelas subdivididas dispostas em blocos ao acaso com três repetições, em um arranjo fatorial de (5x3)+1, sendo cinco herbicidas em três doses mais testemunha. As parcelas corresponderam aos herbicidas, sendo locadas as doses 0; 360+96; 720+192 e 1080+288 g ha - 1 do equivalente ácido (e. a.) de 2,4-D+picloran; 0; 1005; 2010 e 3015 g e.a. ha -1 de 2,4-D; 0; 720; 1440 e 2160 g e.a. ha -1 de triclopyr; 0; 90+90; 180+180 e 270+270 g e.a. ha -1 de. 2,4- D+picloran e 0; 120+120; 240+240 e 360+360 g e.a. ha -1 de fluroxipir+picloran e a testemunha. As sub-parcelas foram compostas por 8 quadros dispostos sobre uma transecta fixa, onde se fez um levantamento anterior a aplicação, outro 60 dias após aplicação (DAA) e um 353 DAA. Para a aplicação dos herbicidas, foi usado um Aplicador Químico . Os resultados mostraram que todos herbicidas tiveram diferença significativa na redução no número de hastes de alecrim em relação à testemunha, e não houve diferença significativa entre os herbicidas. Todos herbicidas apresentaram diferença significativa na redução da abundância do alecrim do campo, em relação à testemunha aos 60 e 353 DAA. No primeiro levantamento não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos em relação à média das alturas de hastes de alecrim do campo. No terceiro levantamento, 353 DAA, o herbicida fluroxipir+picloran locado na dose 360+360 g e.a ha-1 apresentou maior redução na altura.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-04-11T15:10:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Silva de Matos.pdf: 1589256 bytes, checksum: 8ef301156825c5a466cc0e713ddbae59 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-11T15:10:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Silva de Matos.pdf: 1589256 bytes, checksum: 8ef301156825c5a466cc0e713ddbae59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-16
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
The objective of this work was to determine the number and genus of ciliate protozoa in the rumen, ruminal fermentation parameters and microbial protein synthesis in sheep raised in the caatinga. The chemical composition of the extrusa, dry matter (CMS), organic matter (CMO), crude protein (CPB), neutral detergent fiber (CFDN) and total digestible nutrients (CNDT), pH, acids Volatile fatty acids, ammonia, estimation of microbial production, renewal time, rate of disappearance of MS, OM and NDF, number and genus of ciliated protozoa of the rumen. The experiment was carried out from September 2004 to July 2005. Ninety castrated Santa Inês sheep were used, with permanent cannulae in the rumen, kept in the caatinga, receiving water and mineral mixture `ad libitum¿. The nutrient intake as a function of live weight and the unit of metabolic size was higher in May 2005, when there was greater forage availability. The mean pH ranged from 7.07 (before feeding) to 6.31 (10 hours post). The mean values ​​for renewal time and disappearance rate did not show a significant difference (P> 0.05) and were 22.56; 22.08 and 21.42 hours and 4.9; 5.0 and 5.1% / h for MS, MO and FDN, respectively. The concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) presented diurnal variation with linear behavior (P <0.05) and during the year of study, being lower in the months of May and July of 2005, however the molar proportion remained practically unchanged, and Was on average 75.0: 18.6: 6.4 for acetate, propionate and butyrate, respectively. The concentrations of ammonia presented linear increases (P <0.05) with the collection time, ranging from 10.53 to 18.24 mg of ammonia / 100 mL of ruminal liquid, before and 10 hours after feeding, respectively. The yield and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were higher than May 2005, when the ammonia concentration in ruminal fluid was higher. Protozoa of the genera Diplodinium, Diploplastron, Elitroplastron, Entodinium, Enoploplastron, Eodinium, Epidinium, Isotricha, Metadinium, Ophryoscolex and Polyplastron, with predominance of the Entodinium genus (around 90%) were found. Of the subclass Holotricha was registered only the genus Isotricha that represented on average 1.94% of the population. The percentage of protozoa only varied (P <0.05) for the genus Eodinium, being higher in May 2005, which can be justified by the high crude protein content (17.82%) and hemicellulose (18.56% ) In this month. This indicates that, although the average and total number of protozoa vary, the population remained stable throughout the year. Regarding the time of collection, only pH, mean Entodinium concentration and total number of protozoa presented a significant difference (P <0.05), being higher at hour zero. The other genera also presented the same behavior, thus reflecting the stability of the ruminal environment for animals without access to nocturnal feeding. The protozoa of the Entodiniomorpha subclass present a high positive correlation (P <0.05) with the level of total digestible nutrients and crude protein of the diet. This reflects the need, by the microorganism, for energy and protein for synthesis (cell division) and storage.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o número e gênero de protozoários ciliados no rúmen, os parâmetros de fermentação ruminal e a síntese de proteína microbiana em ovinos criados na caatinga. Foram determinadas: composição química da extrusa, consumo de matéria seca (CMS), de matéria orgânica (CMO), de proteína bruta (CPB), de fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN) e de nutrientes digestíveis totais (CNDT), pH, ácidos graxos voláteis, amônia, estimativa da produção microbiana, tempo de renovação, taxa de desaparecimento da MS, MO e FDN, número e gênero de protozoários ciliados do rúmen. O experimento foi realizado de setembro de 2004 a julho de 2005. Foram utilizados 05 ovinos mestiços de Santa Inês, castrados, com cânulas permanentes no rúmen, mantidos na caatinga, recebendo água e mistura mineral `ad libitum¿. O consumo de nutrientes em função do peso vivo e da unidade de tamanho metabólico foi maior em maio de 2005, quando houve maior disponibilidade de forragem. O valor médio de pH variou de 7,07 (antes da alimentação) a 6,31 (10 horas após). Os valores médios para tempo de renovação e taxa de desaparecimento não apresentaram diferença significativa (P>0,05) e foram de 22,56; 22,08 e 21,42 horas e de 4,9; 5,0 e 5,1 %/h para MS, MO e FDN, respectivamente. A concentração dos ácidos graxos voláteis (AGV) apresentou variação diurna com comportamento linear (P<0,05) e durante o ano de estudo, sendo mais baixos nos meses de maio e julho de 2005, entretanto a proporção molar permaneceu praticamente inalterada, e foi em média de 75,0:18,6:6,4 para acetato, propionato e butirato, respectivamente. As concentrações de amônia apresentaram aumentos lineares (P<0,05) com o horário de coleta, variando de 10,53 a 18,24 mg de amônia/100 mL de líquido ruminal, antes e 10 horas após a alimentação, respectivamente. O rendimento e eficiência de síntese da proteína microbiana foram maiores de maio de 2005, quando a concentração de amônia no líquido ruminal foi maior. Foram encontrados protozoários dos gêneros Diplodinium, Diploplastron, Elitroplastron, Entodinium, Enoploplastron, Eodinium, Epidinium, Isotricha, Metadinium, Ophryoscolex e Polyplastron, com predominância do gênero Entodinium (em torno de 90%). Da subclasse Holotricha foi registrado somente o gênero Isotricha que representou em média 1,94% da população. A percentagem de protozoários só variou (P<0,05) para o gênero Eodinium, sendo maior em maio de 2005, o que pode ser justificado pelo alto teor de proteína bruta (17,82 %) e de hemicelulose (18,56%) neste mês. Isso indica que, apesar do número médio e total dos protozoários variarem, a população se manteve estável ao longo do ano. Com relação ao horário de coleta, somente o pH, a concentração média do gênero Entodinium e o número total de protozoários apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,05), sendo maior na hora zero. Os demais gêneros também apresentaram o mesmo comportamento, refletindo assim a estabilidade do ambiente ruminal para animais sem acesso à alimentação noturna. Os protozoários da subclasse Entodiniomorpha apresentam alta correlação positiva (P<0,05) com o nível de nutrientes digestíveis totais e proteína bruta da dieta. Isso reflete a necessidade, pelo microrganismo, de energia e proteína para a síntese (divisão celular) e armazenamento.

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The aim of this work was to evalute herbage production of a natural grasslands submitted to limestone and phosphorus levels, applied superficially, without introducing species (Chapter 1) and overseeded with temperate climate species (Chapter 2). The experiment was conducted from January 2010 to December 2013. In Chapter 1 liming was applied in quantities of 0.0; 7.2 and 14.4 t ha-1; and phosphorus as triple superphosfate, at levels of 0; 35; 70 and 140 kg ha-1 P2O5. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a split plot arrangement with 3 repetitions, with limestone levels distributed in the main plots and P in the subplots. There was no significant interaction between the limestone and phosphate treatments in both studies. The elevation of limestone increased forage production only from the 3rd year, a linear response, with maximum value of 1182.3 kg DM ha-1, with 14.4 t ha-1 lime, and quadratic in 4th year, with 2316.1 kg DM ha-1, with 7.2 t ha-1 of lime. There was statistical difference at P applications from the 2nd year, with the greatest production obtained in the 4th year, with 140 kg P2O5 ha-1 producing 2232.8 kg DM ha-1. Limestone promoted changes up to 10cm of soli layer. Of 0-5cm, 14.4 t ha-1, increased pH from 4.77 to 6.45, Al decreased from 2.51 to 0.0 cmolc kg-1 and base saturation (V%) increased from 31.34 to 84.17%. With the P levels changes occured mainly up to 5cm. Chapter 2: limestone in 3.6; 7.2; 11.0 and 14.4 t ha-1; and P in doses of 35; 70; 105 and 140 kg P2O5 ha-1, and overseeded species of cold season the maximum production was of 3932.2 kg DM ha-1 in the 2nd year with a dose of 11 t of limestone. The red clover responded better to this limestone application on levels 7-11 t ha-1. Phosphorus significantly increased herbage production in four years. Forage production reached the ceiling in the 2nd year, 4419.4 kg DM ha-1 with 140 kg P2O5 ha-1. The red clover was established and persisted better than the other species with increasing levels of limestone and limestone and P. The P, mainly concentrated their effects up to 5cm of soil layer. A 14.4 tonnes of applied lime the pH reached 6.04, Al 0.03 kg cmolc V-1 and 74.56% at%. At the same soil layer 140 kg ha-1 P2O5, P increased to 12.08 mg kg-1. Lime application of 25% (7.2 t ha-1) of the recommended dose, associated with phosphorus dose of 50% of the recommendation (70 kg P2O5 ha-1), potentiate the production of forage on native pasture with a predominance of Schizachirium tenerum. The application of 1/8 dose (3.6 t ha-1) of the lime requirement allows the establishment and persistence of legumes introduced in native grass; 1/8 (3.6 t ha-1) of the official recommendation of the dose associated with limestone phosphorus increasing doses increase linearly forage production. This enhancement is due primarily to the effect of P in the production increase of introduced legumes
Avaliou-se a produção de um campo nativo submetido a níveis de calcário e fósforo, aplicados superficialmente, sem a introdução de espécies (Capítulo 1) e com sobressemeadura de espécies de estação fria (Capítulo 2) de janeiro/10 a dezembro/13. No Capítulo 1 a calagem foi de 0,0; 7,2 e 14,4 t ha-1; e aplicação de SFT, nosníveis de 0; 35; 70 e 140 kg de P2O5 ha-1. O delineamento experimental dos ensaios foi de blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas, com 3 repetições, com níveis de calcário distribuídos na parcela principal e as doses de P nas sub-parcelas. Não houve interação significativa entre os tratamentos de calcário e fósforo nos dois estudos. A elevação das doses de calcário aumentou a produção de forragem somente a partir do 3º ano, sendo a resposta linear, com valor máximo de 1.182,3 kg MS ha-1, com 14,4 t de calcário ha-1, e quadráticano 4º ano, com 2.316,1 kg MS ha-1, com 7,2 t de calcário ha-1. Houve diferença estatísticaàs aplicações de P a partir do 2º ano, sendo a maior produção obtida no 4º ano, com 140 kg P2O5 ha-1 produzindo 2.232,8 kg MS ha-1. O calcário promoveu maiores alterações até 10cm. De 0-5cm, 14,4 t ha-1, elevou o pH de 4,77 para 6,45, o Al reduziu de 2,51 para 0,0 cmolc kg-1 e a saturação por bases (V%) aumentou de 31,34 para 84,17%. Com as doses de P,acréscimos importantes limitaram-se principalmente até 5cm. Capítulo 2: com calcário em 3,6; 7,2; 11,0 e 14,4 t ha-1; e P nas doses de 35; 70; 105 e 140 kg de P2O5 ha-1, e com sobressemeadura de espécies de estação fria, o calcário, com 11 t ha-1, teve com produção máxima 3.932,2 kg MS ha-1, no 2º ano. O trevo-vermelho respondeu melhor a este corretivo, nos níveis de 7 a 11 t ha-1. O P foi significativo à produção de forragem nos quatro anos. A forragem atingiu o teto produtivo no 2º ano, 4.419,4 kg MS ha-1 com 140 kg P2O5 ha-1. O trevo-vermelho se estabeleceu e persistiu melhor que as demais espécies com os níveis crescentes de calcário e P. O calcário e P, concentraram seus efeitos principalmente até 5cm. Com 14,4 t de calcário o pH chegou a 6,04, o Al a 0,03 cmolc kg-1 e a V% a 74,56%. Nesta camada, 140 kg P2O5 ha-1, elevou o P para 12,08 mg kg-1. Aplicação de calcário de 25% (7,2 t ha-1) da dose recomendada, associada com dose de fósforo de 50% da recomendação (70 kg P2O5 ha-1), potencializam a produção de forragem em campo natural com predomínio de Schizachirium tenerum.A aplicação de dose de 1/8 (3,6 t ha-1) da recomendação de calcário permite o estabelecimento e a persistência de leguminosas introduzidas em campo nativo; 1/8 (3,6 t ha-1) da dose da recomendação oficial de calcário associada com doses crescentes de fósforo aumentam linearmente a produção de forragem. Essa potencialização se deve, principalmente, ao efeito do P no incremento produtivo das leguminosas introduzidas

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Com o objetivo de avaliar a proteína bruta fecal como indicador de consumo e digestibilidade de bovinos alimentados com pastagem nativa situada no Bioma Pampa e inclusões de azevém e avaliar a qualidade nutricional dessas pastagens foram realizados dois experimentos em gaiolas de metabolismo. No experimento I, os animais recebiam diferentes níveis de oferta de pastagem nativa onde os tratamentos consistiam em níveis de1,5 e 2,25% do peso vivo de matéria seca e um nível ad libitum, com pelo menos 20% de sobras diárias onde foram realizados seis períodos experimentais, O experimento II consistia em diferentes níveis de inclusão de azevém na dieta de bovinos alimentados com campo nativo, os tratamentos eram 33%, 66% e 100% de azevém em substituição ao campo nativo, em dois períodos experimentias. Os experimentos foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 3 tratamentos e 2 repetições por tratamento em cada período. Os períodos experimentais consistiram de 10 dias de adaptação e 5 dias de coletas, durante o período de coletas foram amostradas as sobras do cocho, a forragem ofertada e ainda a produção total de fezes a cada 24 horas. Realizou-se as medidas de produção fecal, concentração de componentes fecais, consumo de nutrientes e digestibilidade dos componentes da dieta. No capítulo I foram traçadas relações entre digestibilidade e a concentração da proteína bruta fecal (PBf), sendo testados dois modelos não lineares, o exponencial e o hiperbólico gerando as equações de digestibilidade da matéria orgânica(DMO) = 0,709-9,506* exp(-0,041*PBf) com R2 0,61 e DMO = 0,942-38,619/PBf (R2 0,62), respectivamente. A relação de consumo de matéria orgânica (CMO) com a quantidade de PBf, possui comportamento linear, foi então realizada a análise de stepwise para saber quais outras variávies poderiam explicar melhor o modelo junto com a PBf gerando uma equação CMO = -6724,30 + 39*PBf + 2,55*FDNf + 11591,44*DMO com R2 0,95. Determinou-se a relação da proteína bruta (PB) da dieta (g/kg MO) x PBfecal (g/kg MO), PB dieta = 1,346x - 47,63 R² = 0,931 (modelo linear). No capítulo II, foram testados dois modelos para todas as relações traçadas no experimento II, um modelo linear e um modelo quadrático, as relações foram consumo de matéria orgânica (CMO (g/UTM)) x digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro (DFDN), DMO x CMO (g/UTM), DMO x CMO (g/dia), consumo de folhas (g/UTM) x DMO e CMO (g/UTM) x relação proteína/energia. As relações que não foram estatisticamente significativas para nenhum modelo foram CMO (g/UTM) x relação proteína/energia e consumo de folhas (g/UTM) x DMO. Após essas relações, verificou-se que a PBf tem um bom potencial para a estimativa de consumo e a digestibilidade por bovinos alimentados com pastagens nativas ou associadas a forragem cultivada como o azevém anual, mas estes parâmetros também são afetados por diferentes variáveis.
In order to evaluate the fecal crude protein as intake and digestibility marker of cattle fed with natural pasture from Pampa Biome and annual ryegrass inclusions and evaluate the nutritional quality of these pastures it was conducted two experiments in metabolic cages. In the first experiment, the animals received different native pasture offer levels where treatments consisted of 1.5 and 2.25% of the live weight of dry matter and ad libitum with at least 20% of daily leftovers which were carried out six experimental periods. The second experiment consisted of annual ryegrass inclusion levels in the diet of cattle fed with natural pasture, the treatments were 33%, 66% and 100% of ryegrass to replace the native pasture in two experimental periods. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 2 replicates per treatment in each period. The experimental period consisted of 10 days of adaptation and 5 days of collection during the period of the trough collects the forage offered have been sampled, the leftovers and also the total fecal production in each 24 hours. It was measured the fecal productions, concentration of faecal components, nutrient intake and digestibility of diet components. In the Chapter I were study the relationship between digestibility and fecal concentration of crude protein (CPf), being tested exponential and hyperbolic equations generating the digestibility of organic matter (OMD) = 0.709 - 9.506 * exp (- 0.041 * CPf) with R2 = 0.61 and OMD =0.942 - 38.619 / CPf (R2 0.62), respectively. The ratio of organic matter intake (OMI) with the amount of CPf, has a linear relation, it was then carried out stepwise analysis to find out what other variables could explain better the model along with the CPf generating a equation OMI = -6724.30 + 0,998 * CPf + 2.55 * NDFf + 11591.44 * OMD with R2= 0.95. It was determined the ratio of crude protein (CP) of the diet (g/kg of OM) x CPf (g/kg of OM), CPdiet = 1,346*CPf - 47.63 R² = 0.931 (linear model). In the Chapter II were tested two models for all relationships outlined in experiment II, a linear model and a quadratic model, relations were organic matter intake (OMI) x digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (DNDF), OMD x OMI, leaves intake x OMD and OMI x protein/energy ratio. The relationships that were not statistically significant for either model were OMI x protein/energy and leaves intake x OMD. After these relationships, it was found that the CPf has a good potential to estimate intake and digestibility in cattle fed native pastures or associated with annual ryegrass, but these parameters are also affected by different variables.

In New Zealand, native shrubs are considered an important potential carbon-sink in disturbed or abandoned land (e.g., pastoral land that is unsustainable for long-term pastoral agriculture). However, the impact of varying environmental drivers on carbon uptake from photosynthesis and carbon loss from respiration of a developing shrubland remains uncertain. In this study, the effects of both temperature and soil water content (θ) on photosynthesis and respiration were examined under controlled growth cabinet and field conditions in a pasture grass and the native shrub, kānuka (Kunzea ericoides var. ericoides). The purpose of the investigation was to assess the combined impacts of varying temperature and θ on canopy processes and to disentangle the effects of θ on photosynthesis and respiration for the two different plant types. A controlled growth cabinet study (Chapter 2) showed that θ had a greater effect on the short-term temperature response of photosynthesis than the temperature response of respiration. The optimum value of θ for net photosynthesis was around 30 % for both kānuka and the grass. Statistical analysis showed that the temperature sensitivity of photosynthetic parameters was similar for both plant types, but the sensitivity of respiratory parameters was different. Reduction in θ induced an inhibition of photosynthetic capacity in both plant types. The response of respiratory parameters to θ was not related to substrate limitations, however available evidence suggests that it is likely to be a species dependent plant mechanism in regulating the cost of maintenance due to reduced photosynthate assimilation and decreasing energy supply to support the activity of respiratory enzymes. Results obtained from a field study (Chapter 3) showed that photosynthesis and respiration in the grass and kānuka were sensitive to seasonal changes in temperature and θ. Photosynthetic parameters showed little acclimation following changes in seasonal growth conditions. In contrast, respiratory parameters tended to acclimate more strongly. Respiratory acclimation to multiple environmental conditions was characterised by changes in temperature sensitivity and a shift in the response of respiration to temperature, demonstrating the involvement of both ‘Type I’ and ‘Type II’ acclimation in both plant types. The results from controlled growth cabinet and field studies were used to drive a leaf level model that integrates the responses of photosynthesis and respiration to changes in temperature and θ and incorporates acclimation using variable photosynthetic and respiratory parameters (Chapter 4). This model was used to estimate the annual canopy carbon exchange of the grass and kānuka in response to seasonal changes and to predict changes in canopy carbon exchange under varying future climate change scenarios. The model highlighted the importance of considering seasonally-acclimated parameters in estimating canopy carbon exchange of both plant types to concurrent changes in multiple environmental variables. The overall results support the conclusion that understanding the combined effects of environmental variables on canopy processes is essential for predicting canopy net carbon exchange of a pasture-shrub system in a changing global environment. It has been shown here that the rate of increase in photosynthesis with increasing θ is greater than that of respiration which results in a progressively greater apparent carbon gain at moderate values of θ. Moreover, the impact of lower values of θ, which reduced the apparent sensitivity of respiration to temperature, may effectively decrease the rate of respiration during warmer summer months and enhance thermal acclimation via downregulation of respiration. Therefore, considering the influence of soil water conditions on the temperature sensitivity of photosynthetic and respiratory model parameters has important implications for precisely predicting the net carbon exchange of a pasture-shrub system.

Soil P fractionation was used to examine changes in soil inorganic and organic P under grazed irrigated pasture in a long-term field trial at Winchmore in Mid-Canterbury. The soil P fractionation scheme used involved sequential extractions of soil with O.5M NaHCO₃ @ pH 8.5 (NaHCO₃ P), 0.1M NaOH (NaOH I P), 1M HCl (HCl P) and 0.1M NaOH (NaOH II P). The Winchmore trial comprised 5 treatments: control (no P since 1952), 376R (376 kg superphosphate ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ 1952-1957, none since), 564R (564 kg superphosphate ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ 1952-1957, none since) 188PA (188 kg superphosphate ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ since 1952) and 376PA (376 kg superphosphate ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ since 1952: Topsoil (0-7.5cm) samples taken from the different treatments in 1958, 1961, 1965, 1968, 1971, 1974 and 1977 were used in this study. Changes in soil P with time showed that significant increases in soil inorganic P occurred in the annually fertilised treatments (l88PA, 376PA). As expected, the overall increase in total soil inorganic P between 1958 and 1977 was greater in the 376PA treatment (159 µg P g⁻¹) than that in the 188PA treatment (37 µg P g⁻¹). However, the chemical forms of inorganic P which accumulated in the annually fertilised treatments changed with time. Between 1958 and 1971 most of the increases in soil inorganic P in these treatments occurred in the NaHCO₃ and NaOH I P fractions. On the other hand, increases in soil inorganic P in the annually fertilised treatments between 1971 and 1977 were found mainly in the HCl and NaOH II P fractions. These changes in soil P forms were attributed to the combined effects of lime addition in 1972 and increased amounts of sparingly soluble apatite P and iron-aluminium P in the single superphosphate applied during the 1970's. In the residual fertiliser treatments (376R, 564R) significant decreases in all of the soil inorganic P fractions (i.e. NaHCO₃ P, NaOH I P, HCl P, NaOH II p) occurred between 1958 and 1977 following the cessation of P fertiliser inputs in 1957. This was attributed to continued plant uptake of P accumulated in the soil from earlier P fertiliser additions. However, levels of inorganic P in the different soil P fractions in the residual fertiliser treatments did not decline to those in the control which indicated that some of the inorganic P accumulated in the soil from P fertiliser applied between 1952 and 1957 was present in very stable forms. In all treatments, significant increases in soil organic P occurred between 1958 and 1971. The overall increases in total soil organic P were greater in the annually fertilised treatments (70-86 µg P g⁻¹) than those in the residual fertiliser (55-64 µg P g⁻¹) and control (34 µg P g⁻¹) treatments which reflected the respective levels of pasture production in the different treatments. These increases in soil organic P were attributed to the biological conversion of native and fertiliser inorganic P to organic P in the soil via plant, animal and microbial residues. The results also showed that annual rates of soil organic P accumulation between 1958 and 1971 decreased with time which indicated that steady-state conditions with regard to net 'organic P accumulation were being reached. In the residual fertiliser treatments, soil organic P continued to increase between 1958 and 1971 while levels of soil inorganic P and pasture production declined. This indicated that organic P which accumulated in soil from P fertiliser additions was more stable and less available to plants than inorganic forms of soil P. Between 1971 and 1974 small (10-38 µg P g⁻¹) but significant decreases in total soil organic P occurred in all treatments. This was attributed to increased mineralisation of soil organic P as a result of lime (4 t ha⁻¹) applied to the trial in 1972 and also to the observed cessation of further net soil organic P accumulation after 1971. Liming also appeared to affect the chemical nature of soil organic P as shown by the large decreases in NaOH I organic P(78-88 µg P g⁻¹) and concomitant smaller increases in NaOH II organic P (53-65 µg P g⁻¹) which occurred in all treatments between 1971 and 1974. The chemical nature of soil organic P in the Winchmore long-term trial was also investigated using 31p nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gel filtration chromatography. This involved quantitative extraction of organic P from the soil by sequential extraction with 0.1M NaOH, 0.2M aqueous acetylacetone (pH 8.3) and 0.5M NaOH following which the extracts were concentrated by ultrafiltration. Soils (0-7.5cm) taken from the control and 376PA annually fertilised treatments in 1958, 1971 and 1983 were used in this study. 31p NMR analysis showed that most (88-94%) of the organic P in the Winchmore soils was present as orthophosphate monoester P while the remainder was found as orthophosphate diester and pyrophosphate P. Orthophosphate monoester P also made up almost all of the soil organic P which accumulated in the 376PA treatment between 1958 and 1971. This indicated that soil organic P in the 376PA and control treatments was very stable. The gel filtration studies using Sephadex G-100 showed that most (61-83%) of the soil organic P in the control and 376PA treatments was present in the low molecular weight forms (<100,000 MW), although the proportion of soil organic P in high molecular weight forms (>100,000 MW) increased from 17-19% in 1958 to 38-39% in 1983. The latter was attributed to the microbial humification of organic P and indicated a shift toward more complex and possibly more stable forms of organic P in the soil with time. Assuming that the difference in soil organic P between the control and 376PA soils sampled in 1971 and 1983 represented the organic P derived from P fertiliser additions, results showed that this soil organic P was evenly distributed between the high and low molecular weight fractions. An exhaustive pot trial was used to examine the relative availability to plants of different forms of soil inorganic and organic P in long-term fertilised pasture soils. This involved growing 3 successive crops of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in 3 Lismore silt loam (Udic Ustochrept) soils which had received different amounts of P fertiliser for many years. Two of the soils were taken from the annually fertilised treatments in the Winchmore long term trial (188PA, 376PA) and the third (Fairton) was taken from a pasture which had been irrigated with meatworks effluent for over 80 years (65 kg P ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Each soil was subjected to 3 treatments, namely control (no nutrients added), N100 and N200. The latter treatments involved adding complete nutrient solutions with different quantities of N at rates of 100kg N ha⁻¹ (N100) and 200kg N ha⁻¹ (N200) on an area basis. The soil P fractionation scheme used was the same as that used in the Winchmore long-term trial study (i.e. NaHCO₃ P, NaOH I P, HCl P, NaOH II p). Results obtained showed that the availability to plants of different extracted inorganic P fractions, as measured by decreases in P fractions before and after 3 successive crops, followed the order: NaHCO₃ P > NaOH I P > HCl P = NaOH II P. Overall decreases in the NaHCO₃ and NaOH I inorganic P fractions were 34% and 16% respectively, while corresponding decreases in the HCl and NaOH II inorganic P fractions were small «10%) and not significant. However, a significant decrease in HCl P (16%) was observed in one soil (Fairton-N200 treatment) which was attributed to the significant decrease in soil pH (from 6.2 to 5.1) which occurred after successive cropping. Successive cropping had little or no effect on the levels of P in the different soil organic P fractions. This indicated that net soil organic P mineralisation did not contribute significantly to plant P uptake over the short-term. A short-term field experiment was also conducted to examine the effects of different soil management practices on the availability of different forms of P to plants in the long-term fertilised pasture soils. The trial was sited on selected plots of the existing annually fertilised treatments in the Winchmore long-term trial (188PA, 376PA) and comprised 5 treatments: control, 2 rates of lime (2 and 4 t ha⁻¹ ) , urea fertiliser (400kg N ha⁻¹ ) and mechanical cultivation. The above ground herbage in the uncultivated treatments was harvested on 11 occasions over a 2 year period and at each harvest topsoil (0-7.5 cm) samples were taken from all of the treatments for P analysis. The soil P fractionation scheme used in this particular trial involved sequential extractions with 0.5M NaHCO₃ @ pH 8.5 (NaHCO₃ P), 0.1M NaOH (NaOH P), ultrasonification with 0.1M NaOH (sonicate-NaOH p) and 1M HCl (HCl P). In addition, amounts of microbial P in the soils were determined. The results showed that liming resulted in small (10-21 µg P g⁻¹) though significant decreases in the NaOH soil organic P fraction in the 188PA and 376PA plots. Levels of soil microbial P were also found to be greater in the limed treatments compared with those in the controls. These results indicated that liming increased the microbial mineralisation of soil organic P in the Winchmore soils. However, pasture dry matter yields and P uptake were not significantly affected. Although urea significantly increased dry matter yields and P uptake, it did not appear to significantly affect amounts of P in the different soil P fractions. Mechanical cultivation and the subsequent fallow period (18 months) resulted in significant increases in amounts of P in the NaHCO₃ and NaOH inorganic P fractions. This was attributed to P released from the microbial decomposition of plant residues, although the absence of plants significantly reduced levels of microbial P in the cultivated soils. Practical implications of the results obtained in the present study were presented and discussed.

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Considering all the knowledge about the variation of native grasses quality and quantity is dependent on the time of year, plus the unknowing and inability in determine the dry matter intake of goats, it sought with this research estimate the pasture intake by these animals. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the external markers chromium oxide (Cr2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and insoluble lignin purified and enriched (LIPE®), such as internal markers: indigestible dry matter (MSi), neutral detergent fiber indigestible (NDFi) and acid detergent fiber indigestible (ADFi) to estimate the dry matter apparent digestibility, fecal dry matter production and estimated dry matter intake by goats kept on native pasture in the semiarid region. It worked with 20 castred males without defined breed, with average body weight of 26 ± 8.4 kg, when five of all were rumen fistulated and 15 did not. The field activity lasted 30 days, 15 days to adapt the animals and the other 15 to providing indicators and colect samples (feces and extrusa). The statistic experimental design was completely randomized (CRD), and the results submitted to the Tukey test at 5% for comparison of means. The internal markers were submitted to descriptive analysis with in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DM) through regression analysis. And then, the results presented that estimates of dry matter intake considering IVDMD, through internal markers were more precise and accurate when used MSi and NDFi, and the opposite being observed for ADFi and the equation. Although about the internal markers, IVDMD and equations were used to estimate the dry matter intake, but significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for the equations while the estimates fecal output through external markers differed significantly (P>0.05) from the result of the total collection. TiO2, Cr2O3 and LIPE ® markers presented statistically different estimate (P>0.05) from total collection, as well as the TiO2 from others markers. LIPE® and Cr2O3 underestimated the fecal output. Regarding the time and method of collection no statistical differences (P>0.05), for any marker and/or method. Therefore, even on native grazing, internal markers proved to be a relevant tool in obtaining data on digestibility and dry matter intake. Can thus supply management supplementation for goats when grazing in rangeland.
Com o conhecimento da oscilação da qualidade e quantidade do pasto nativo em função da época do ano, aliado ao desconhecimento e impossibilidade de determinar o consumo de matéria seca de caprinos, buscou-se com esse experimento estimar o consumo a pasto por esses animais. O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os indicadores externos óxido de cromo (Cr2O3), dióxido de titânio (TiO2) e Lignina insolúvel purificada e enriquecida (LIPE®), como os internos matéria seca indigestível (MSi), fibra em detergente neutro indigestível (FDNi) e fibra em detergente ácido indigestível (FDAi) para estimativa da digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, produção de matéria seca fecal e estimativa do consumo de matéria seca por caprinos mantidos em pasto nativo no semiárido. Foram utilizados 20 animais, machos, sem padrão racial definido, castrados, com peso corporal médio de 26±8,4 kg, sendo cinco animais fistulados no rúmen e 15 não fistulados. O experimento teve duração de 30 dias, 15 destinados à adaptação e 15 ao fornecimento dos indicadores e das coletas (fezes e extrusa). O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC), e os resultados submetidos ao teste de Tukey a 5% para comparação de médias. Os indicadores internos foram submetidos à análise descritiva com a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) por meio da análise de regressão. De posse dos resultados, as estimativas do consumo de matéria seca considerando a DIVMS, por meio dos indicadores internos foram mais acuradas e precisas quando se fez uso da MSi e FDNi, não sendo observado o mesmo para a FDAi e pela equação. Ainda os indicadores internos, a DIVMS e as equações foram utilizados para a estimativa do consumo de matéria seca, porém diferenças significativas (P<0,05) foram observadas para as equações Já as estimativas da produção fecal por meio dos indicadores externos diferiram significativamente (P>0,05) do resultado da coleta total. Os indicadores TiO2, Cr2O3 e LIPE® apresentaram estimativa diferente estatisticamente (P>0,05) da coleta total, assim como o TiO2 dos outros indicadores. O LIPE® e o Cr2O3 subestimaram a produção fecal. Em relação aos horários e métodos de coleta, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas (P>0,05), para nenhum indicador e/ou método utilizado. Portanto, mesmo em condições de pastejo nativo os indicadores internos mostraram ser uma ferramenta relevante na obtenção de dados sobre digestibilidade e consumo de matéria seca. Podendo assim, estabelecer planos de suplementação para caprinos quando em pastejo em pasto nativo.

Este estudo foi realizado na Fazenda Nhumirim, propriedade da EMBRAPA Pantanal, Nhecolândia, Pantanal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Diante da necessidade do reconhecimento dos elementos do meio ambiente natural, bem como de sua dinâmica, para a busca do equilíbrio ambiental na região, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar a vegetação da Nhecolândia. A Nhecolândia é uma das mais expressivas regiões criatórias de gado de corte do Brasil. As pastagens nativas correspondem a grande variedade de unidades de vegetação, de campos a cerrados. O uso espacial e temporal dessas pastagens por bovinos, sua disponibilidade, qualidade e produtividade pecuária são influenciados pelas condições ambientais, principalmente inundações e precipitações. Para conservação e utilização sustentável dos recursos naturais e pastagens nativas no Pantanal, é de grande importância mapear as principais unidades ambientais, estabelecer unidades de vegetação/pastagens para conhecer as áreas de sobrevivência de espécies de animais, visto que o Pantanal corresponde à uma coleção de ambientes de equilibrio dinâmico frágil; a planície possui declividades baixissimas que provocam um deslocamento extremamente lento das águas, a dinâmica hídrica é particular: as chuvas e os rios abastecem os lençóis freáticos causando inundações; e a alimentação do rebanho baseia-se quase que integralmente em pastagens nativas. Tendo em vista a utilização da vegetação como pastagem, houve necessidade de estudar as relações entre os tipos de vegetação, especialmente as campestres, e seus ambientes de ocorrência. Se fez necessário propor uma classificação para vegetação e mapeamento local das unidades de vegetação, relacionando-a aos ambientes de ocorrência, com vistas à extrapolação para o pantanal da Nhecolândia. A vegetação foi classificada como: Unidade Habitualmente Seca, Unidade Habitualmente Sazonal e Unidade Habitualmente Úmida, as quais apresentam diferenças quanto à preferência pelos bovinos, às características florísticas, fisionômicas e, principalmente quanto a umidade habitual do solo, em função da topografia e das precipitações pluviométricas ao longo do ano.
This work was carried out on Fazenda Nhumirim, owned by EMBRAPA Pantanal, in Nhecolândia, Pantanal (lowlands) of Mato Grosso do Sul. This research aimed to study the vegetation of Nhecolândia to meet the needs of recognizing the elements of the natural environment as well as its dynamics to reach environmental balance in the region. Nhecolândia is one of the most significant beef-cattle raising regions in Brazil. The native pastures correspond to a great variety of vegetation units, from grassland to Brazilian savannahs. The spatial and temporal use of these pastures by cattle, its availability, quality and cattle-raising productivity have been influenced by environmental conditions - mainly floods and rainfall. For conservation and sustainable usage of natural resources in Pantanal, it is of utmost importance to map the main environmental areas, to establish vegetation/pasture units in order to know the animal species survival areas, because Pantanal corresponds to a set of environmental units of fragile dynamics balance - the plain has very low declivities which provoke an extremely slow move of the water, the hydric dynamics is unique: the rains and rivers supply the water tables causing floods; and the cattle feed almost exclusively on native pastures. Bearing in mind the use of the vegetation as pasture, there has been a necessity of studying the relations among the varieties of vegetation, especially the wild ones, and their environment of occurrence. It was necessary to propose a classification for the vegetation and a local mapping of the vegetation units, relating it to the environment of the occurrence, aiming to extend the use of the results to the whole lowlands in Nhecolândia. The vegetation was classified as: Usually Drought Unit, Usually Seasonal Unit and Usually Wet Unit, which presented differences as to preference by cattle, flowering characteristics, physiognomic and, mainly as to usual wetness of the soil, due to topography and rain falls throughout the year.

O trabalho foi conduzido na EEA-UFRGS, em Eldorado do Sul/RS, entre dez/2011 e nov/2013 com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da estrutura do pasto no consumo de matéria seca e na emissão de metano e relacionar essa emissão com o desempenho animal em pastagem nativa submetida a níveis de oferta diária de forragem de 4, 8, 8.12, 12 e 16 kg de MS/100 kg de PV, ou %PV. Esses tratamentos foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos com duas repetições. Em pastoreio contínuo foram utilizadas novilhas mestiças com 24 meses de idade e 223 ± 24 kg em 2012 e 12 meses e 274 ± 17 kg em 2013 quando da entrada dos animais no protocolo experimental. As variáveis para descrever a estrutura do pasto foram: massa de forragem, taxa de acúmulo de forragem, altura do pasto e frequência de touceiras. Na avaliação de consumo de matéria seca utilizou-se a técnica dos n-alcanos a partir da teoria do duplo n-alcano. As emissões de metano foram estimadas pela técnica do marcador hexafluoreto de enxofre. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental de blocos com duas repetições. As ofertas 4 e 8% emitiram menores quantidades de CH4/animal que as ofertas de forragem 16, 12 e 8.12% do PV. Os modelos estudados demonstraram que a variabilidade das emissões é explicada, em maior proporção, pelo conjunto de estrutura do pasto (R2=0.53), e que a relação entre emissão de CH4 e consumo de matéria seca foi altamente significativa (P<0.001), porém o consumo explicou a variância dos dados em proporção limitada (R2= 0.20). Anualmente a emissão de CH4 foi determinada por mudanças no consumo e na estrutura do pasto, principalmente, na taxa de acúmulo de forragem. Com baixa taxa de acúmulo, principalmente no inverno, há maior gasto de energia para realização da metanogênese. A relação observada entre a quantidade de CH4 emitido por kg de MS consumida em função do consumo diário de MS apresentou comportamento inversamente proporcional. O aumento da OF até níveis moderados de intensidade de pastejo proporcionam maiores GPV e maiores emissões de CH4 por animal que oferta de forragem baixa. Porém as ofertas de forragens alta e moderadas (16,12 e 8.12 ) emitiram menor quantidade de metano por área e por kg de peso vivo produzido. Portanto a busca por estruturas de pasto ideal através de manejos com intensidades de pastejo moderadas aliada a altas taxas de acúmulo do pasto, formam ambientes de pastejos na qual os bovinos mitigam metano por kg de MS consumida, por ha e por kg de PV produzido.
The study was conducted at the EEA-UFRGS, in Eldorado do Sul/ RS, from Dec/2011 to Nov/2013 in order to study the effect of the structure and dry matter intake in methane emissions and relate that to animal performance in native grassland. The treatments consisted of the following forage allowance levels: 4, 8, 8:12, 12 and16 kg DM / 100 kg live weight (LW), or % LW. The animal testers were crossbred heifers with 24 months of age and 223 ± 24 kg in 2012 and 12 months and 274 ± 17 kg in 2013 when the entry of animals in the experimental protocol. The variables to describe the pasture structure were: herbage mass, herbage accumulation rate, pasture height and frequency of tussocks. For the dry matter intake evaluation, it was used the technique of nalkanes technique based on the double alkane teory. Methane emissions were measured by the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. The experimental design was a randomized block design with two replications (paddocks) was used. The 4 and 8% LW herbage allowance treatments emited less CH4/animal than 16, 12 and 12.8% LW. The models showed that the variability of the emission is explained in a greater proportion, the set of pasture structure (R2 = 0,53), and that the relationship between emission of methane emission and dry matter intake was highly significant (P <0.001). On the other hand, consumption explained a smaller amount of the data variance (R2 = 0.20). Annuall methane emission was determined by changes in herbage consumption and sward structure, mainly herbage accumulation rate. With low herbage accumulation rate, especially in winter, there was a greater, waste of energy for methanogenesis. There was an inverse relationship between the amount of methane emitted per kg dry matter intake as a function of daily dry matter consumption. Increasing herbage allowance to moderate grazing intensity levels resulted in a greater LW gain and also higher CH4 emission per animal. However, high to moderate herbage allowance tratments (16, 12 and 8-12) emited less methane per area and per kg of LW produced. Managing native grasslands under moderate levels of herbage allowance can creat canopy strutures that favor both consumption and herbage accumulation rate, and also mitigate beff cattle methane emissions per kg of DM, per area and per kg LW produced.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
A experiment, in the period May- September 2011, was conducted in an area of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria studying the ingestive behavior of beef heifers and calves in a natural grassland of Rio Grande do Sul, under rotational grazing with different intervals among grazing. The intervals among grazing was determinated by the thermal sums of 375 and 750 degree-days for each treatment. Grazing, leisure and rumination times, time spent in the supplementation and water troughs was evaluated on three occasions using visual assessment periods of 24 uninterrupted hours. Bite rates, feed stations and number of steps between stations were evaluated in two observations, one at the beginning and another at the end of the experiment. No differences were found among animal categories for these measures. There were differences in grazing and leisure times, between treatments, on the last evaluated period and could be attributed to differences between forage mass. Number of feed stations was different between periods and differed between treatments only in the second evaluation. The number of steps between stations was different between the two periods with only difference between treatments in the first assessment. Bite rate varied among the treatments in both evaluations. It was concluded that differences in sward structure, caused by the treatments, affected feeding behavior of both categories, and there were no differences between them.
Foi realizado um experimento em área pertencente a Universidade Federal de Santa Maria no período de maio a setembro de 2011 onde foi estudado o comportamento ingestivo de terneiras e novilhas em fase de recria no período de outono-inverno, em pastagem natural do Rio Grande do Sul, em duas alternativas de pastejo rotacionado com diferentes intervalos entre pastejo. O intervalo entre pastejo foi determinado pela soma térmica de 375 e 750 grausdia para cada tratamento. O comportamento ingestivo, para as atividades de ócio, pastejo, ruminação, tempo no cocho de água e tempo no cocho de sal, foi avaliado em três ocasiões por meio de avaliação visual em períodos de 24 horas de forma ininterrupta. As avaliações de estações alimentares e taxa de bocado foram realizadas em duas observações, sendo uma no período inicial e outra no final do experimento. Não foram encontradas diferenças para as atividades estudadas entre as categorias nas avaliações realizadas. Foram detectadas diferenças no tempo de pastejo e ócio, entre os tratamentos, no último período avaliado, podendo ser atribuídas a diferença significativa entre as massas de forragem. O número de estações alimentares visitadas por minuto variou entre períodos e apresentou diferença entre tratamentos somente na segunda avaliação. O número de passos entre estações foi diferente entre os dois períodos avaliados e houve diferença entre tratamentos somente na primeira avaliação. A taxa de bocado variou entre os tratamentos em ambas as avaliações. Conclui-se que as diferenças na estrutura da pastagem, oriundas dos tratamentos utilizados, afetaram o comportamento ingestivo de ambas as categorias, sem diferenças entre elas.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The experiment was conducted in Departamento de Zootecnia of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. The objective was to evaluate the sensitiveness of native legumes to herbicides sprayed in post emergency. The experimental design was arranged in split split plot disposed in Randomized Complete Blocks with three replications. The main plots were the herbicides triclopyr, fluroxipir MHE + picloran, 2,4 D + picloran and fluroxipir-éster. The sub plots were the doses zero; 480; 720 and 960 g ha-1 of acid equivalent of triclopyr; zero; 80+80; 120+120 and 160+160 g ha-1 of acid equivalent of fluroxipir MHE + picloran; zero; 240 + 64; 360 + 96 and 480 + 128 g ha-1 of acid equivalent of 2,4 D + picloran and zero; 200; 300 and 400 g ha-1 of acid equivalent of fluroxipir-éster. The sub sub plots were composed by the legumes Aeschynomene falcata, Arachis burkartii, Desmodium incanum, Desmodium barbatum, Desmodium adscendens, Eriosema campestris, Stylosanthes leiocarpa, Stylosanthes montevidensis and Zornia diphylla. The results revealed that Arachis burkartii and Zornia diphylla were the more tolerant species to triclopyr, fluroxipir-éster, fluroxipir MHE + picloran and 2,4 D + picloran in the tested doses. The 2,4 D + picloran in the doses, 240 + 64, 360 + 96 and 480 + 128 g ha-1, was the herbicide that presented lower toxicity to the tested legumes. The triclopyr 480, 720 and 960 g ha-1 was selective to A. burkartii and 2,4 D + picloran, in the doses 240 + 64; 360+96 and 480 + 128 g ha-1 was selective to Z. diphylla and Eriosema campestris. Z. diphylla also was tolerant to fluroxipir MHE + picloran in the doses of 80 + 80 to 160 + 160 g ha-1. Fluroxipir-éster, in the doses of 200, 300 and 400 g ha-1 was selective to A. burkartii, S. leiocarpa and Z. diphylla, beeing this the product selective to the greater number of species. The doses 400; 240 + 64; 80 + 80 and 200 g ha-1, respectively, of the herbicides triclopyr, 2,4 D + picloran, fluroxipir MHE + picloran and fluroxipir-éster were selectives to all tested legumes.
Com o objetivo de avaliar a sensibilidade de leguminosas nativas a herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência foi realizado um estudo em 2003/04 na área do Departamento de Zootecnia da UFSM. O delineamento experimental foi em parcelas sub-sub-divididas dispostas em blocos ao acaso com três repetições. As parcelas corresponderam aos herbicidas triclopyr, fluroxipir MHE + picloran, 2,4 D + picloran e fluroxipir-éster. Nas sub-parcelas, foram locadas as doses zero; 480; 720 e 960 g ha-1 do equivalente ácido de triclopyr; zero; 80+80; 120+120 e 160+160 g ha-1 do equivalente ácido de fluroxipir MHE + picloran; zero; 240 + 64; 360 + 96 e 480 + 128 g ha-1 do equivalente ácido de 2,4 D + picloran e zero; 200; 300 e 400 g ha-1 do equivalente ácido de fluroxipir-éster. As sub-subparcelas foram compostas pelas leguminosas Aeschynomene falcata, Arachis burkartii, Desmodium incanum, Desmodium barbatum, Desmodium adscendens, Eriosema campestris, Stylosanthes leiocarpa, Stylosanthes montevidensis e Zornia diphylla. Os resultados mostraram que Arachis burkartii e Zornia diphylla foram as espécies tolerantes ao triclopyr, fluroxipir-éster, fluroxipir MHE + picloran e 2,4 D + picloran nas doses testadas. O 2,4 D + picloran, nas doses de 240 + 64, 360 + 96 e 480 + 128 g ha-1, foi o herbicida que apresentou menor toxicidade para as leguminosas testadas. O triclopyr (480, 720 e 960 g ha- 1) foi seletivo para A. burkartii e o 2,4 D + picloran, nas doses 240 + 64; 360 + 96; 480 + 128 g ha-1 foi seletivo para Z. diphylla e Eriosema campestris. Z. diphylla também foi tolerante a fluroxipir MHE + picloran nas doses de 80 + 80 até 160 + 160 g ha-1 . Fluoroxipir-éster, nas doses de 200, 300 e 400 g ha-1, foi seletivo para A. burkartii, S. leiocarpa e Z. diphylla, sendo este o produto seletivo para o maior número de espécies. As doses 480; 240 + 64; 80 + 80 e 200 g ha-1, respectivamente dos herbicidas triclopyr, 2,4 D + picloran, fluroxipir MHE + picloran e fluroxipir-éster, foram seletivas para todas as leguminosas testadas.

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Caprine livestock is among the main economic activities in semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil which is characterized by low rain rates and a dry weather, where caatinga biome represents the most important feed source for caprine herds. In this study, we evaluated the fatty acids and volatile compounds profiles as well as the sensorial properties of milk and cheese from caprines kept and raised under different systems in semi-arid Brazil, confined space and open pastures. An optimization of the extraction conditions for the volatile compounds in caprine milk was made by using Response Surface Methodology. From this statistical tool we could identify the best conditions to maximize the number of volatile compounds extracted, corresponding them to 15 minutes for equilibrium time, 30 minutes for extraction time and 45 °C for extraction temperature. Using these conditions, 19 different volatile compounds were identified. Amongst these compounds, octanoic acid (caprylic acid) and decanoic acid (capric acid) can be highlighted with having larger relative areas, and they are volatile fatty acids correlated to the characteristic flavor presented in caprine milk. The dairy caprines (Saanen and American Alpine) used were divided into two groups: Caprines fed in open pasture plus concentrate supplementation (OF) and those fed in confined space (CS) with hay and concentrate. Milk and cheese from animals fed in OF presented higher content of fatty acids for oleic acid (C18:1c9), stearic acid (C18:0), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA), including C16:1c7 C16:1c9 e C17:1c9, isomers cis and trans of C18:1, linoleic acid (C18:2n6), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6), desired fatty acids (DFA) and higher PUFA/SFA and MUFA/SFA rates. Several volatile compounds found in milk and cheese from OF were not present in CS, such as the terpene compounds α-terpineol e β-caryophyllene. The milk from OS was described for having a more intense herbal flavor whereas the milk from CS was more intense in butter flavor and taste and showed a higher residual aftertaste. Regarding to the sensorial properties of the cheese, no differences were found between the two different systems, however, the overall acceptability was higher for milk and cheese from animals feed in OF. Our results suggest that raising caprines in open field can be considered the best production system to be used in semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil as it valorizes the use of the native pasture found in Caatinga to feed caprine herds, being an interesting economic alternative for the local farmers.
A pecuária caprina é uma das principais atividades realizadas na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro. Essa região caracteriza-se por apresentar condições ambientais de terras áridas e de baixa pluviosidade, onde os caprinos têm no Bioma caatinga sua principal fonte alimentar. Neste estudo, avaliou-se o impacto do sistema de produção realizado na região semiárida brasileira sobre os perfis de ácidos graxos, voláteis e sensorial do leite e do queijo caprino. Inicialmente, foi realizada a otimização das condições de extração de compostos voláteis em leite caprino por meio da metodologia da superfície de resposta. A partir desta metodologia estatística, foi possível identificar as melhores condições para maximizar a variável resposta (número de compostos voláteis extraídos), correspondendo a 15 minutos para o tempo de equilíbrio, 30 minutos para o tempo de extração e 45 °C para a temperatura de extração. Utilizando estas condições, foram identificados 19 compostos voláteis diferentes, dentre os quais se destacaram o ácido octanóico (ácido caprílico) e ácido decanóico (ácido cáprico) com maiores áreas relativas. Em seguida, cabras leiteiras mestiças, Sannen e Alpina-americana, foram divididas, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em dois grupos: cabras alimentadas em sistema de pastagem mais a suplementação concentrada (SP), e aquelas alimentadas em sistema de confinamento (SC), com feno e concentrado. O leite e o queijo de animais alimentados em SP apresentaram maiores quantidades ácido oleico (C18:1c9), esteárico (C18:0), de poli-insaturados (PUFA) e monoinsaturados (MUFA) totais, incluindo os monoinsaturados C16:1c7 C16:1c9 e C17:1c9, os isômeros cis e trans de C18:1, o ácido linoleico (C18:2n6), linolênico (C18:3n3), araquidônico (C20:4n6), ácidos graxos desejáveis (DFA) e maior razão PUFA/SFA, MUFA/SFA. Alguns compostos voláteis estavam ausentes nos leites e queijos provenientes de animais de confinamento, destacando-se a presença de dois compostos terpênicos (α-terpineol e β-cariofileno), encontrados exclusivamente em leite e queijo de animais de pasto. O leite SP foi descrito com maior sabor herbáceo e o leite SC com maior aroma e sabor de manteiga e maior persistência residual. As variações entre os sistemas de produção não foram suficientes para promover diferenças perceptíveis nos atributos sensoriais dos queijos, mas, para o atributo aceitabilidade geral, tanto o leite quanto o queijo SP foram considerados mais aceitos pelos julgadores. Os resultados provenientes da execução deste estudo indicam que o melhor sistema de produção a ser realizado na região semiárida nordestina é o sistema desenvolvido na pastagem nativa com suplementação, pois valoriza a criação de caprinos leiteiros na Caatinga, tornando-se uma alternativa economicamente vantajosa para os produtores e processadores de leite de cabra.

Esta tese objetiva investigar a gestão local e as características significativas do desenvolvimento rural em comunidades de pecuaristas familiares nos municípios de São Jerônimo, Butiá e arredores, região Centro Sul do RS. Nesta tese, as dinâmicas do desenvolvimento rural na pecuária familiar são compreendidas como movimentos de transição ou contracorrente à marcha de consolidação e aprofundamento da agricultura convencional assentada em parâmetros do paradigma técnico-científico moderno. Na realidade estudada os pecuaristas familiares foram elevados da posição de marginalizados e periféricos à condição de segmento central na rede rural de desenvolvimento, reavaliados pela sua importância social, ambiental e econômica na relação que estabelecem com a sociedade local e regional, e com os ecossistemas campestres riograndenses, atualmente fortemente impactados por processos de degradação. Entendendo o DR como um movimento transicional e contracorrente esta tese utiliza componentes analítico-metodológicos fornecidos pela Perspectiva Multinível-PMN, em especial a ferramenta Gestão Estratégica de Nicho-GEN, e os elementos para pensar o desenvolvimento rural contemporâneo, tais como o seu caráter multinível, a noção de rede rural multidimensional, a multifuncionalidade da agricultura e o papel dos agricultores camponeses. Os procedimentos metodológicos são realizados através de revisão bibliográfica, coleta de dados secundários, entrevistas semi-estruturadas com informantes-chave e observação participante da paisagem rural, unidades produtivas, e das práticas e trajetórias, incluindo registro fotográfico. O referencial teórico utilizado fornece aportes para tratar a experiência local na perspectiva de uma dinâmica de DR que ocorre no nível micro, metodologicamente definida como um espaço protegido de desenvolvimento da pecuária familiar, posicionada sob condicionantes estruturais mais amplos e influentes compostos pelos regimes sociotécnicos prevalentes e paisagens sociotécnicas. Apesar da consolidação e maior estruturação dos níveis elevados, existe interdependência e mutua interação entre o que acontece nos níveis micro e macro. Quanto à gestão identificam-se três alinhamentos principais na rede rural: infraestrutura e qualidade de vida; melhoria genética dos animais e do manejo do campo e dos rebanhos; e agregação de valor e governabilidade dos mercados. Avalia-se que apesar dos alinhamentos notáveis existem dissensos e incongruências. Mesmo nos alinhamentos de estratégias e expectativas mais vigorosos que ocorrem em melhoramento genéticos dos ovinos e bovinos; criação de novos mercados; e na percepção do campo nativo como um recurso valioso, produtivo e barato, acontecem incongruências importantes. As transformações mais marcantes do DR são identificadas como: novidades; práticas e trajetórias em governabilidade dos mercados; aspectos atinentes à sustentabilidade e endogeneidade; e questões relativas à dimensão social da rede rural. Nesta tese, os agricultores familiares que se dedicam à pecuária são avaliados como capazes de conciliar de maneira proveitosa a conservação e o uso sustentável dos recursos forrageiros nativos, enfatizando o caráter multifuncional dos seus estilos de agricultura baseados, primordialmente, em recursos da natureza, em co-produção e co-evolução. Apesar desta destacada característica positiva, deficiências em capacitação, práticas de manejo e intensificação no emprego de alguns insumos exógenos industriais modernos impedem que estes impactos positivos sejam mais fortes sobre o ambiente e sociedade. No final, são tecidas considerações sobre possíveis estratégias e políticas públicas para o aprimoramento da experiência local, as quais se esperam possam servir também em outros casos e situações.
This thesis aims to investigate local management and significant features of rural development in family beef cattle breeders’ communities in the municipalities of São Jerônimo, Butiá and surroundings, Central South region of RS. In this thesis, the dynamics of rural development in the family livestock are understood as transitional or counter-current movements to the consolidation and deepening of conventional agriculture seated on parameters of the modern technical-scientific paradigm. In the studied reality, family beef cattle breeders were elevated from a marginalized and peripheral position to a central segment condition in the rural development web, reassessed for their social, environmental and economic importance in the relationship they establish with the local and regional society and native grassland ecosystems of the Rio Grande do Sul State, currently heavily impacted by degradation processes. Understanding RD as a transitional or counter-current movement this thesis uses analytical and methodological components provided by Multilevel Perspective, particularly the Strategic Management Niche, and the elements to think contemporary rural development, such as its multilevel character, the notion of multidimensional rural web, multifunctional agriculture and role of peasant farmers. Methodological procedures are performed through literature review, secondary data collection, semi-structured interviews to key informants and participant observation of countrysides, farms, and practices and trajectories. The theoretical framework utilized provides contributions to treat local experience in a dynamic perspective of RD occurring at the micro level, methodologically defined as a development niche of family farming, positioned under broader and more influential structural constraints, such as prevalent socio-technical regimes and socio-technical landscape. Despite the consolidation and greater structuring of the higher levels, there is interdependence and mutual interaction between what happens at micro and macro levels. Related to management there are three major alignments in the rural web: infrastructure and quality of life; genetic improvement of livestock and of natural grassland and domestic flocks management; the adding value and governability of markets. It’s considered that even though the notable alignments there are disagreements and inconsistencies as well. Even in the alignments most vigorous strategies and expectations, such as genetic improvement of sheep and cattle; creation of new markets, and in perception of natural pasture as valuable, productive and cheap resource, there are important inconsistencies. The most striking changes of RD are identified as: novelties; governability of markets; aspects referent to sustainability and endogeneity; and issues relating to social dimension of rural web. In this thesis, family farmers dedicated to livestock are assessed as able to reconcile profitably conservation and sustainable use of natural forage resource, emphasizing the multifunctionality of their farming styles based primarily on natural resources, on co-production and co-evolution. Despite this remarkable positive feature, deficiencies in training, management practices, and increased use of some modern industrial exogenous inputs prevent these positive impacts to be stronger on the environment and society. In the end, considerations are made about possible strategies and public policies for the improvement of local experience, which are expected to be also used in other cases and situations.

The predominant production system in North central Uruguay is based on the combined beef cattle and sheep cattle grazing of native grasslands. Soils include an important area of Pelluderts, with high content of expansible clays and high organic matter in the surface horizon. At the beginning of the 90 s there was a rapid expansion in rice production in this part of the country, increasing soil use intensity. Rice is grown in rotations with seeded pastures. Due to variations in annual forage production because variations of the hydric regime, irrigation technology was studied as an alternative to achieve greater inter-annual production stability. The effect of soil compaction, is to be considered when managing Vertisols especially in low soil use intensity situations, like natural pastures improved by overseeding and fertilization, or the more intense rice pastures rotation. The objectives of this research were to quantify the effects of animal trampling, as compared with rice harvesting, on the physical quality of the Vertisols and to obtain a quantitative relationship between rain plus irrigation water input and forrage production. Two experiments were conducted in the basaltic experimental field of INIA-Tacuarembó-Uruguay, to evaluate the effects of irrigation and animal compaction on the improved natural pasture. Another on farm experiment was also conducted to evaluate soil compaction due to rice cropping and harvesting. Physical quality results, showed animal trampling compaction effect in the surface layer (0-3 cm), but not in subsurface (9-12 cm), due animal trampling on bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, compressibility, and penetration resistance. In the rice field, effects of soil deformation by harvesting-combine traffic were evident to 20 cm depth under of high soil moisture conditions.Forage production did not show differences between the irrigation frequencies used in a rainy year (2003). Meanwhile in a dry year (2004), the irrigation treatments produced more (425 %) than the non irrigated, and the one irrigated more frequently produced more (35 %) between the two irrigated ones. General response to water was 8.95 kg MS ha-1 mm-1. Red clover showed greater response than white clover. The effect of animal trampling was significant on forage yield production of red clover, but there was no effect on white clover production. The botanical composition, in a dry year, showed loss of legume presence without irrigation.
O sistema de produção de forma extensiva em campo nativo predominante na região Centro-Norte da República Oriental do Uruguai inclui o pastejo de bovinos e ovinos. Entre os solos encontrados estão os Vertissolos com argilas expansivas e alto teor de matéria orgânica no horizonte mais superficial. A partir dos primeiros anos na década de 90, houve forte expansão da cultura de arroz na região, com aumento da intensidade de uso do solo, e adoção de sistemas de produção arroz gado de corte. Devido a variações da produção forrageira anual relacionada com as variações do regime hídrico, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso da tecnologia de irrigação como alternativa para alcançar uma maior estabilidade na produção. Os efeitos sobre as características físicas dos Vertissolos foram avaliados em situações de baixa intensidade de uso, campo natural melhorado sob pastejo ou maior intensidade na rotação arroz-pecuária. Mais especificamente o trabalho procurou quantificar os efeitos do pisoteio animal em comparação com a pressão das máquinas de colheita de arroz na qualidade física de Vertissolos e encontrar uma relação quantitativa entre lâmina de água de chuva mais irrigação e produção de forragem. No campo experimental de basalto de INIA-Tacuarembó-Uruguai, foram realizados dois experimentos para avaliar os efeitos da compactação animal e a irrigação num campo natural melhorado, e noutro campo no departamento de Tacuarembó-Uruguai foi realizado um experimento para avaliar os efeitos da compactação durante a cultura e colheita de arroz. Do ponto de vista da qualidade física do solo, em geral, os resultados dos experimentos mostraram efeito da compactação superficial (0-3 cm), mas não subsuperficial (9-12 cm), devido ao pisoteio animal nos parâmetros densidade do solo, porosidade total, macroporosidade, compressibilidade e resistência do solo à penetração. Na colheita do arroz, foram evidenciados os efeitos de deformação do solo pelo tráfego de colheitadeiras em condições de alto conteúdo de água no solo. A produção forrageira não apresentou diferença para as freqüências de irrigação usadas no ano chuvoso (2003), enquanto que durante o ano seco (2004) os tratamentos irrigados produziram 425 % mais que o não irrigado e o irrigado mais freqüentemente produziu 35 % mais que o irrigado menos freqüentemente. A resposta da produção forrageira à água foi de 8,95 kg de MS ha-1 mm-1. O trevo vermelho apresentou maior resposta da produção forrageira à água do que o trevo branco, 11 kg de MS ha-1 mm-1 e 9 kg de MS ha-1 mm-1, respectivamente. O efeito do pisoteio animal na produção forrageira reduziu a produção do trevo vermelho, mas não do trevo branco. Com relação à composição botânica, no ano seco, houve redução na porcentagem de cobertura por leguminosas no melhoramento nas situações sem irrigação.

O processo de intensificação dos sistemas alimentares na produção de ruminantes vem sendo o foco nas discussões políticas que implicam na segurança do alimento, bem-estar animal e qualidade do produto cárneo. A possibilidade da diversificação alimentar em diferentes fases do crescimento animal, através de sistemas exclusivamente a pasto ou com concentrados na dieta, determina variações no desenvolvimento corporal do animal e nas características qualitativas da carne. Neste contexto, se procurou identificar através de dois protocolos experimentais localizados no Sul do Brasil, as características produtivas estacionais da forragem, desempenho animal, atributos da carcaça e físico-químicos da carne de bovinos de corte produzidos em diferentes sistemas alimentares. Periodicamente era determinada a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) dos animais através de imagens de ultrassom, sendo essa utilizada como critério para o abate. O experimento 1 (Bioma Pampa) foi constituído de um delineamento completamente casualizado com três tratamentos (sistemas alimentares) e três repetições, durante a terminação dos novilhos até o abate (EGS, 3 a 6 mm). Os tratamentos foram: i) pastagem natural; ii) pastagem natural melhorada com fertilização e introdução de gramínea hibernal. iii) idem ao ii, porém abatidos com mais idade. O experimento 2, (campos de altitude do Bioma Mata Atlântica), constituiu-se de um delineamento completamente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e três repetições, durante a recria e terminação dos animais até o abate (EGS, 2 a 3 mm). Os tratamentos foram: i) pastagem natural; ii) pastagem natural melhorada com fertilização e introdução de gramínea e leguminosa hibernal; iii) pastagem cultivada de gramíneas hibernais em dois invernos; iv) pastagem cultivada (idem ao iii) com suplemento de 0,8% PV/dia-1; v) confinamento com relação de volumoso e concentrado (75:25) na dieta. Nos dois estudos, verificou-se que a carga animal utilizada determina alterações positivas na produção estacional de forragem nos dois ambientes experimentais. Na medida em que aumenta o processo de intensificação do sistema alimentar, houve um maior acúmulo de gordura subcutânea na carcaça reduzindo, portanto, a idade de abate dos animais. Sistemas pastoris naturais e naturais com baixo aporte de insumos permitem atributos físico-químicos desejáveis na carne, maior teor de CLA, elevada concentração de n-6 e n-3 e menor razão n-6/n-3 em relação aos sistemas mais intensivos com uso de grãos na dieta.
The process of intensifying food systems in ruminant production has recently been the focus of policy discussions on food safety, animal welfare and the quality of meat products. The possibility of feed diversification at different stages of animal growth, trhough diferent pasture systems or in feedlots, leads to changes in the animal's body development and meat quality. In this context, this thesis search to identify, through two experimental protocols localizated in southern Brazil, the seasonal productive characteristics of forage, animal performance and the carcass and physical-chemical attributes of the meat of beef cattle produced under different food systems.The subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) of the animals was determined periodically by ultrasonic images, this measure being used as a criterion for the slaughter. Experiment one (Pampa Biome) was carried out in a completely randomized design with three treatments (feeding systems) and three replicates during the finishing phase of the steers just to slaughter (SFT, 3 to 6 mm). Treatments were: i) natural grassland; ii) improved natural grassland with fertilization and oversowing of winter grass. iii) same as ii, but slaughtered at more advanced age. Experiment two (highlands of Mata Atlântica biome), was realized through a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replicates during the growing and finishing phase of the animals just to the slaughter (SFT, 2 to 3 mm). Treatments were: i) Natural grassland; ii) improved natural grassland with fertilization and oversowing of winter grass and legumes; (iii) winter cultivated pasture during two winters; iv) winter cultivated pasture (same as iii) supplemented with 0.8% LW/day-1; v) feedlot with ratio of bulky and concentrated (75:25) in the diet. Thus, we aimed to characterize productive systems of beef cattle used in each region. In these two studies, it was verified that the utilized animal stocking determine positive changes in the seasonal forage production in the two experimental environments. As the system intensification process increases, there was a greater accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the carcass, thus reducing the slaughter age of the animals. Natural grasslands systems and natural with a low use of inputs, allow desirable physical-chemical attributes in the meat, higher CLA content, high concentration of n-6 and n-3 and lower ratio n-6/n-3 in relation to the most intensive use of grain in the diet.

Criar gado em campo nativo é uma prática que, historicamente, é desenvolvida no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Desde a preação do gado xucro distribuído pelas vastas planícies do bioma pampa até a produção de gado em estâncias, encontramos os elementos que configuraram a formação política e cultural do Estado. Anteriormente, em um passado ainda mais distante, povos de várias etnias passaram por esses ambientes, deixando costumes que, mesmo que se tenham passado séculos de intervenções culturais, ainda podem ser observados permeando a cultura do povo do Pampa. Em meio a esse ambiente, o presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar e visibilizar determinadas práticas, a relação com o ambiente e alguns dos aspectos simbólicos que envolvem os “pequenos produtores rurais” que criam gado em campo nativo, os quais são denominados de pecuaristas familiares. Para isso, foi realizado um resgate da formação do ambiente, até a chegada dos colonizadores, de modo a identificar os principais momentos históricos que se entremeiam para formar esse bioma como o conhecemos hoje. A história recente será contada com o apoio de uma família de pecuaristas familiares inserida na Serra do Caverá, localidade pertencente ao município de Rosário do Sul – RS. É em meio à singularidade da Serra do Caverá – entre cerros e coxilhas - que, fazendo uso da abordagem etnográfica, apresentarei a história de vida dessa família. Caracterizá-los, de modo a identificar valores intrínsecos à prática de criação de gado em campo nativo, suas relações com o entorno da propriedade e com o ambiente do qual fazem parte, permite reconhecer e valorizar uma prática secular de produção de gado. Percebe-se que esses pecuaristas familiares, com seu modo de fazer pecuária, mantêm uma relação estreita com os elementos da biodiversidade que o compõem, mas, por outro lado, nota-se que as políticas públicas de apoio à pecuária familiar, no contexto do bioma Pampa, são escassas, o que determinou, até pouco tempo, que estes tenham se tornado invisíveis ao Estado. Assim, somando a esses fatores a necessidade de identificar os valores simbólicos inerentes ao modo de se fazer pecuária na localidade e, sobretudo, à família pesquisada, concluímos que estes são indissociáveis ao ambiente que os cerca, ficando perceptível a premência de identificar e ampliar o conhecimento dessas práticas e sua aliança para a conservação da biodiversidade no bioma Pampa, para aí, sim, traçar estratégias de conservação que aliem o elemento humano com a conservação, pois, além de utilizar o campo nativo como insumo à produção, esse público de pecuaristas mantém a guarda do ambiente.
Raising cattle on natural pasture is a historical practice in Rio Grande do Sul. From the wild cattle hunt spread throughout the vast plains of Pampas biome to cattle production in ranches, we find elements that shaped the political and cultural structure of the state. In a remote past, people from various ethnic groups passed through these environments introducing traditions which, even after centuries of cultural interventions, can still be observed permeating the culture of people from Pampa. This study aims to identify and disclose some practices, their relation with the environment and some of the symbolic aspects regarding “small rural producers” that raise cattle on natural pasture, who are called family farmers. For this purpose, a research on the development of the environment up to the arrival of settlers was held in order to identify key historical moments that formed this biome as we know it today. The recent history will be narrated with the support of a family farmer from Serra do Caverá, a locality in Rosario do Sul county, Rio Grande do Sul. Amid the uniqueness of Serra do Caverá landscape I will present the life story of this family using the ethnographic approach. Characterizing this family in order to identify intrinsic values of livestock on natural pasture, their relation with the surroundings of the property and also with the environment to which they belong, enable us to value an ancient practice of livestock production. Family farmers keep a close relationship with the elements that constitute the environment biodiversity; on the other hand, public policies to support family farming of Pampa biome are limited, which led these families to become invisible to the state up until recently. Therefore, it is clear the urgency to identify and expand the knowledge of livestock practice and its role in the conservation of biodiversity in Pampa biome in order to design strategies that combine the human element and conservation, as these farmers use natural pasture as an input to production besides taking care of the environment.

Pasture plants already adapted to acidic soil conditions are required as part of an integrated approach (with lime amelioration) to managing acid soils on the Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the usefulness of Austrodanthonia species for this purpose. The material evaluated in this study was collected during a previous survey of the distribution of Austrodanthonia on the Central, Southern and Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales. It was hypothesised that the genus Austrodanthonia has a wide range of tolerance to acid soils. A series of experiments that provided information on the growth and physiology of Austrodanthonia in relation to soil acidity, with a view to the identification and eventual domestication of the most promising plant material have been conducted through pot, hydroponics and field investigations. Firstly, soils were acidified or limed to obtain a range of soil pH and Al concentrations. This experiment showed that adding aluminium sulfate and calcium carbonate followed by washing excess salts with water is a simple, rapid and convenient method for adjusting soil pH for pot experiments. The pH of the amended soils remained relatively unchanged eight months after treatment. The experimental set-up also resulted in a wide range of soluble Al (2-52 mg/kg) across the soils. The relative Al-tolerance of 183 accessions from 15 Austrodanthonia species was tested in a pot experiment using a range of soil pH. Emergence, survival and growth of all accessions were drastically reduced by high soil acidity (pH 3.9, P < 0.001). About 11% of plants emerged at pH 3.9, whereas at pH 4.4 and 5.3, ~72% of plants emerged. Accessions exhibited large variation within and between species in their tolerance to soil acidity. From the species/accessions tested, 49 accessions from eight species were selected for further study (on the basis of being more acid tolerant). Hydroponic experiments conducted in the glasshouse evaluated: (i) formulation of nutrient solution with a stable pH, (ii) effectiveness of the formulation using tap water and deionised water and (iii) estimation of free ion activities of Al and Mn in the nutrient solution and their effects on Austrodanthonia growth. These experiments showed that a NO3-N/NH4-N ratio of 9:4 is the most appropriate ratio to obtain a stable pH 4.0 without affecting plant growth; that there was little difference between tap water and deionised water on the ionic effects of Al and Mn, and plant-size did not play a role on accession survival and that accessions of Austrodanthonia could grow well within a wide range of pH (3.5-5.5), Al (50-250 �M) and Mn (100-2000 �M). Growth of Austrodanthonia accessions declined under high acidity (pH < 3.5) and Al (300 �M), but tolerated high concentrations of Mn (2000 �M). Root-tips stained with hematoxylin grouped accessions in a similar way to the pot and hydroponic experiments for most of the accessions tested. The intensity of root staining with hematoxylin and the differential distribution of Al in the shoots and roots provided an indication that different tolerance mechanisms may be involved with Austrodanthonia accessions. It appears that both exclusion and internal mechanisms may operate for Al- and Mn-tolerance. A field experiment was conducted at Carcoar (33037�S, 149013�E, elevation 800 m) using gradients in soil pH and Al available on-site to grow selected accessions of Austrodanthonia. The accessions exhibited a range of responses to soil acidity. The accession responses to acidity from the pot and hydroponic experiments were similar to those obtained in the field, especially where Al was present as a low Al-challenge. Overall, this study shows that Austrodanthonia exhibits a wide range of acid tolerance between species and accessions within species. Among the species tested, A. duttoniana and A. fulva appeared to have the greatest commercial potential, because of their productivity and acid tolerance. The variability that exists in the accessions may be exploitable in breeding and selection programs for improved cultivars.

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The study was conducted in three stages, assessing the species Adesmia latifolia (Spreng.) Vog. with the aim of increasing knowledge of Adesmia responses regarding the most appropriate methods of overcoming seed dormancy, seed inoculation and production and forage quality in relation to climatic factors. The first stage was conducted at the Laboratory of Seeds Analysis FAEM/UFPEL in Pelotas, the other in the CCR/URCAMP in Bage-RS. In the work of scarification were evaluated with thermal and chemical methods to count only 14 days after sowing. Regarding the assessment of inoculant was used the following treatments: control, Bradyrhizobium spp. Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolli (white clover), Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolli (red clover) and Rhizobium loti (birdsfoot trefoil) in a greenhouse. The third study, conducted in the field, we evaluated the production of dry matter and forage quality, protein digestibility and in vitro. In the first work considering the three variables (normal seedlings, hard seeds and dead), the results showed that the method of soaking in hot water was more efficient in breaking dormancy of seeds of Adesmia latifolia, with emphasis on immersion in hot water at 40°C for three minutes, for issues of safety and economy. In the second study produced the highest dry matter were obtained with Bradyrhizobium spp. and Rhizobium loti, respectively, the same happened in relation to the efficiency of inoculation, with the latter being easily accessible shopping. In the third study concluded that the dry matter production is concentrated in october/november with 88% of total annual crude protein and in vitro while maintaining during the cycle with high levels.
O trabalho foi realizado em três etapas, avaliando a espécie Adesmia latifolia (Spreng.) Vog., com o objetivo de ampliar o conhecimento das respostas da Adesmia no que diz respeito a métodos mais adequados de superação de dormência das sementes, inoculação de sementes e produção e qualidade de forragem em relação aos fatores climáticos. A primeira etapa foi realizada no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes da FAEM/UFPEL em Pelotas-RS, as demais no CCR/URCAMP em Bagé-RS. No trabalho de superação de dormência foram avaliados métodos químicos e térmicos com contagem única aos 14 dias após a semeadura. Em relação à avaliação de inoculantes foram utilizados os seguintes tratamentos: testemunha; Bradyrhizobium spp.; Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolli, (trevo branco); Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolli, (trevo vermelho) e Rhizobium loti, (cornichão) em ambiente protegido. Já o terceiro trabalho, realizado a campo, foi avaliado a produção de matéria seca e a qualidade da forragem, proteína bruta e digestibilidade in vitro. No primeiro trabalho considerando-se as três variáveis (plântulas normais, sementes duras e mortas), os resultados permitiram concluir que o método de imersão em água quente foi o mais eficiente na superação de dormência de sementes de Adesmia latifolia, destacando-se a imersão em água quente a 40ºC por três minutos, por aspectos de segurança e economicidade. No segundo trabalho as maiores produções de matéria seca foram obtidas nos tratamentos com Bradyrhizobium spp. e Rhizobium loti respectivamente, o mesmo acontecendo em relação à eficiência do inoculante, sendo esse último de fácil acesso comercial. No terceiro trabalho conclui-se que a produção de matéria seca concentra-se em outubro/novembro com 88% do total anual com a proteína bruta e a digestibilidade in vitro mantendo-se ao longo do ciclo com elevados teores.

Em ambientes degradados, a restauração ecológica visa acelerar o processo de sucessão ecológica. A técnica mais utilizada para a restauração de ambientes muito degradados é o plantio de mudas. A seleção das espécies é determinante para o sucesso dos projetos de restauração, pois as espécies precisam se estabelecer e crescer diante das condições do ambiente. Utilizar a abordagem de características funcionais pode ser uma ferramenta promissora para auxiliar a seleção de espécies em projetos de restauração. Em ambientes florestais, há evidências de que as características funcionais afetam o desempenho das espécies, entretanto, existem poucos estudos realizados em áreas em restauração. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a relação entre as características funcionais foliares e a taxa de crescimento relativo em altura e em diâmetro à altura do solo de espécies arbóreas nativas plantadas em uma área degradada que está sendo restaurada. Para descrever a relação entre as características funcionais e a taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) dos indivíduos foi utilizada a abordagem de seleção de modelos baseados em modelos lineares de efeitos mistos (MLEM). A seleção de modelos foi realizada utilizando o critério de informação de Akaike (Akaike\'s Information Criterion) (AIC). As características funcionais não apresentaram relação com a taxa de crescimento relativo em altura e diâmetro dos indivíduos das espécies, possivelmente devido às diferenças nas condições ambientais entre ambientes florestais e ambientes degradados. Apesar de não ter sido encontrada uma relação entre as características funcionais e a TCR, o modelo mais plausível selecionado indica que indivíduos maiores no início do monitoramento possuem menores taxas de crescimento relativo em altura, ou seja, indivíduos mais altos possuem menores taxas de crescimento em altura. Isso pode ser um indicativo de que as espécies analisadas possuem taxa de crescimento relativo dependente do tamanho. Considerando que não foi encontrada relação entre as características funcionais morfológicas e a taxa de crescimento relativo em uma área em restauração, é razoável supor que essa abordagem não pode ser utilizada em todos os ambientes. Estudos que avaliem características funcionais foliares nos diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento das plantas em ambientes degradados podem refinar essas análises e ajudar a definir se a seleção de espécies para projetos de restauração pode ser feita usando a abordagem de características funcionais
In degraded environments, ecological restoration aims to accelerate the process of ecological succession. The most widely used technique for restoration of degraded environments is the planting of seedlings. The selection of species is crucial to the success of the restoration projects, because the species need to establish and grow under the harsh conditions of the environment. Using the approach of functional traits can be a promising tool to assist in the selection of species in restoration projects. In forest environments, there is evidence that functional traits affect the performance of the species, however, there are few studies conducted in areas undergoing restoration. In this study, the relationship between the functional leaf traits and the relative growth rate in height and in diameter at ground level of native tree species planted in a degraded area that is being restored was evaluated. To describe the relationship between the functional traits and the relative growth rate (RGR) of individuals, we used the approach of model selection based on linear mixed effects models (LMEM). The selection of models was performed using Akaike\'s Information Criterion (AIC). The functional traits showed no relationship with the relative growth rate in height and diameter of the individuals of the species, possibly due to differences in environmental conditions between forest environments and degraded environments. Despite not finding a relationship between the functional traits and the RGR, the most plausible model selected indicates that larger individuals at the beginning of monitoring have lower relative growth rates in height, that is, taller individuals have lower rates of growth in height. Considering that no relationship between the morphological functional traits and the relative growth rate in an area undergoing restoration was found, it is reasonable to assume that this approach cannot be applied in all environments. Studies that assess functional traits of the leaf in the different stages of plant development in degraded environments can refine these analyses and help define whether the selection of species for restoration projects can be accomplished using the approach of functional characteristics

One of the main reasons for the massive loss in plant species diversity is the fragmentation of habitats. In Europe, open pastures and meadows are the habitats going through the most changes during the 20th century, according to the agricultural changes. In this study vascular plants were invented at five different islands in the Lurö archipelago, Vänern, Sweden. The aim of the study was to sort out whether the diversity of plants has gone through any changes in abandoned managed grasslands compared to continuous managed grasslands. The aim was also to study if a change in the landscape has made any differences for the species development or decline. The results indicate that the number of vascular plants were significantly lower in the abandoned areas than the still managed areas. Results, only from the field layer, showed same results. There was a significant difference between the number of indicators in managed lands than lands that were abandoned for 30-40 and 100 years ago. A comparison from earlier study, from a time when grazing had just ceased at some islands, showed a significant difference in plant species diversity between the years. Just a few decades can impoverish a plant community that might have taken hundreds or even thousands of years to build up. To preserve the biological diversity formed by human impact, one must continue managing the lands.

En av de största orsakerna till den massiva förlusten av växtarter, är fragmenteringen av habitat. I Europa är öppna naturbetesmarker och ängar de habitat som genomgått de största förändringarna i och med jordbrukslandskapets omstruktureringar under 1900-talet. I den här studien inventerades kärlväxter på 5 olika öar i kulturlandskapet Lurö skärgårds naturreservat. Syftet var att ta reda på hur diversiteten bland kärlväxtarter skiljer sig mellan hävdade gräsmarker och f.d. gräsmarker där hävd upphört och hur ett förändrat landskap spelat roll för artantalets utveckling eller tillbakagång. Resultat visade att antalet kärlväxter var signifikant lägre i marker som slutat hävdas, än marker som fortfarande hävdas. Även jämförelser i enbart fältskiktet visade ett signifikant högre artantal hos välhävdade marker än marker där hävd upphört. Det fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan antalet indikatorarter i marker som var under hävd och marker som slutat hävdas för 30-40 år sedan, kontra 100 år sedan. Vid jämförelser med en tidigare studie, som ägt rum precis efter att hävden upphört på ett flertal lokaler visade resultat att det fanns en signifikant skillnad i artantal mellan de båda åren. På några få decennier kan ett helt växtsamhälle som byggts upp under hundratals eller kanske till och med tusentals år utarmas. För att bevara den biologiska mångfald som formas av en störningsregim beroende av människans inverkan, måste hävd fortsätta kontinuerligt.

Pastoralism is the major economic activity in the Victoria River District (VRD), and is dependent on sustainable pasture use. Analysing grazing practices for sustainability requires knowledge of annual pasture production, but little quantitative data is available. A study was undertaken to develop the capacity for predicting native pasture growth in the VRD using systems modelling. Twenty one field sites were studied for two years using a standard methodology, and the Grass Production (GRASP) model was calibrated using this field data. End of growing season total standing dry matter (TSDM) was well predicted (mean = 2513kg/ha, r2(1:1) = 0.966, RMSE = 132kg/ha, and 98% of predictions within measurement variance). Developing generic parameters for common soil and pasture types allowed extrapolation of the model. Predictive skill declined when using generic parameters (r2(1:1) = -0.265, RMSE = 807kg/ha and 64% of predictions within measurement variance). However, observation and prediction means were very similar, indicating that generic parameters are suitable for broad scale applications, but site-specific parameters are necessary if a high degree of accuracy is required. Parameters controlling plant water uptake largely determine pasture growth in low rainfall years, while nitrogen uptake and dilution parameters limit growth in high rainfall years. Pasture growth is constrained by nitrogen supply in 91% of seasons in the northern VRD, and in 25% of seasons in the drier south. Example applications of the model were demonstrated. Current and expected future levels of pasture utilisation in the district were calculated, showing a current average of 16%, rising to an expected 20% in the next decade. These levels are within the safe utilisation rates recommended for the region. Economic analysis shows positive returns ($4.54 million per year) from pasture augmentation with introduced legumes if past problems with establishment and persistence can be overcome. Model performance would be improved by accounting for simultaneous wetting of the entire profile in cracking clay soils, calculating growth of perennial and annual pasture species separately, and simulating variation in nitrogen uptake and dilution between years. Incorporation of these processes must be balanced against the increased complexity of the model and the additional data required for calibration.
Thesis(PhD)-- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2006

In the past 10 years we have witnessed the beginnings of the study of soil ecology as a unified science, and the general realization by soil scientists, farmers, and land managers that many of the most important economic aspects of soil health are controlled by biological factors. This research focuses on alterations in a tropical soil microarthropod community under differing intensive agricultural protocols: native vegetation, pastures and cropland, during June, July and August 1998. The effect of pesticides in potato cultivation was also studied. In the Ecuadorean montane forest, 361 morphospecies of soil arthropods, were classified during the three sampling months. August was the month with highest abundance and diversity. Acari, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera and Homoptera were the most abundant orders present in all the three types of land management. The native vegetation had the most abundant and diverse representation of all soil arthropod taxa compared to the pastures and croplands. Coleoptera, Diptera, Diplopoda, Diplura and Hemiptera were significantly more diverse in native vegetation than in pastures and croplands. The most abundant functional groups were the fungivores, herbivores and predators. The abundance of functional groups was significantly higher in the native vegetation for predators, herbivores and detritivores. 115 morphospecies of soil arthropods were identified in the study of arthropod response to pesticides in a complete randomized potato plot. Seasonal effects were documented for Acari, Collembola, Diptera, and Homoptera. Predators were most abundant in July and fungivores decreased in September. Neither arthropod orders nor functional groups showed a significant change in abundance between different treatments. Only Homoptera showed an increase in its abundance in the third sampling date and only in the Antracol plots. The potato plants in the whole block showed poor productivity, suggesting that the whole system was stressed by the fungal pest.
Graduation date: 2000

Halbnatürliche Grünlandflächen sind artenreiche Habitate von großer Bedeutung für viele Tier- und Pflanzenarten und die Bereitstellung zahlreicher Ökosystemdienstleistungen. Jedoch werden diese Flächen zunehmend seltener, weshalb ihr Schutz in Europa ein wichtiges Ziel geworden ist. Der Verlust von halbnatürlichem Grünland ist häufig mit einer Intensivierung der Agrarwirtschaft verbunden und innerhalb Europas geographisch sehr unterschiedlich. Diese Arbeit befasst sich hauptsächlich mit der Region Südtranssilvanien in Rumänien, in der fast alle dauerhaften Grünlandflächen halbnatürlich sind, jedoch von der zunehmenden Intensivierung bedroht werden. Der Schutz dieser Grünlandflächen wird hier auf unterschiedlichen räumlichen Ebenen und aus unterschiedlichen Blickwinkeln betrachtet, um sowohl die ökologischen als auch die gesellschaftlichen Aspekte der Bewirtschaftung zu berücksichtigen. Schutzmaßnahmen werden derzeit hauptsächlich auf der Feldebene umgesetzt, jedoch interagieren Grünlandarten häufig auch mit Populationen in der umgebenden Landschaft. Daher beschäftigt sich Kapitel 2 dieser Arbeit am Beispiel von Pflanzen und Heuschrecken mit den Auswirkungen von ökologischen Prozessen auf Grünlandarten auf lokaler und auf Landschaftsebene. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Landschaftszusammensetzung im 2 km-Radius einen gleichstarken Effekt auf die Artenvielfalt hat wie die lokalen Faktoren. Hierbei steigt der Pflanzenartenreichtum mit höherer Landschaftsheterogenität, während die Heuschrecken positiv auf den Anteil von Grünlandfläche in der Umgebung reagieren. Schutzmaßnahmen für artenreiches Grünland sollten daher Prozesse auf Landschaftsebene mit berücksichtigen, obwohl kein Landschaftstyp gleichzeitig alle Artengruppen begünstigt. Daher ist die Förderung einer extensiven Landwirtschaft die beste Möglichkeit, eine Vielfalt an Landschaftstypen zu erhalten, die die Artenvielfalt der Grünländer unterstützt. Neben dem Design von Schutzmaßnahmen ist auch ihre Umsetzbarkeit von großer Bedeutung. In der Untersuchungsregion ist die Kooperation der Nutzer miteinander besonders wichtig für Management-Entscheidungen, da es sich bei dem beweideten Grünland überwiegend um gemeinschaftlich benutzte Flächen (Allmendweiden) handelt. Allerdings zeigt Kapitel 3, dass sich dieses System hin zur Aufteilung der Flächen in kleinere Parzellen, die von Einzelnen gepachtet werden, verändert. Diese „Privatisierung“ der Allmende wird hauptsächlich von den flächenbasierten Zahlungen der gemeinsamen EU-Agrarpolitik gefördert. Sie wirkt sich derzeit sowohl negativ auf den Zugang von Kleinbauern zur Weide, als auch möglicherweise auf deren extensive Bewirtschaftung aus. Kapitel 4 untersucht daher das Potential von Bauernverbänden für die Wahrung der gemeinschaftlichen Bewirtschaftung von Allmendweiden. Bauernverbände können mithilfe von Agrarsubventionen eine extensive Bewirtschaftung der Allmendweide sichern sowie auch Informationen und Dienstleistungen für die Landwirte bereitstellen. Derzeit bedürfen derartige Verbände in der Untersuchungsregion allerdings noch Unterstützung bei der Organisation ihrer Aktivitäten. Forschung und Politik auf der europäischen Ebene müssen die Vielfalt der sozio-ökologischen Kontexte berücksichtigen, unter denen Naturschutz in Agrarlandlandschaften stattfindet. Kapitel 5 zeigt auf, dass die Unterschiede im Naturschutz in der Agrarlandschaft zwischen Ländern in West- und Osteuropa nicht ausreichend wahrgenommen werden. Forschung und Politik sind vorwiegend auf westeuropäische Länder fokussiert, während sich besonders große Flächen von artenreichen Agrarlandschaften jedoch in Osteuropa befinden. Diese benötigen häufig andere Naturschutzkonzepte, da sich die Hofstruktur und die Einstellung gegenüber dem Naturschutz vielfach von der in Westeuropa unterscheiden. Forschung in weniger untersuchten Gegenden sollte gefördert werden, um regional-spezifische, wissensbasierte Maßnahmen zu erarbeiten. Zudem sollte versucht werden, über Umweltbildung die Effektivität von Maßnahmen zu erhöhen. Die ausgedehnten Grünlandflächen in Südtranssilvanien bieten eine hervorragende Möglichkeit extensive, artenreiche Agrarlandschaften zu untersuchen und zu schützen. Auch wenn die Bewirtschaftung traditionell wirkt, ist der Fortschritt in vielen Bereichen sichtbar. Diese von Menschen geschaffenen Habitate müssen den zukünftigen Bedürfnissen einer wachsenden Bevölkerung angepasst werden. Diese Arbeit versucht durch das Verständnis der Einflussfaktoren auf Grünland, Wege aufzuzeigen, wie Entwicklungs- und Naturschutzziele miteinander verbunden werden können. Dies kann vor allem durch wissensbasierte und effiziente Naturschutzmaßnahmen und durch die Stärkung der Zusammenarbeit unterschiedlicher Interessengruppen erreicht werden. Dies gilt für viele Teile Osteuropas, in denen extensive Landwirtschaft und gemeinschaftliche Landnutzung Möglichkeiten bieten, artenreiche Agrarlandschaften auch in Zukunft zu erhalten.

This thesis is focused on the importance of large herbivore pasture for arthropod communities in temperate steppe. The study site was located in former military training area Milovice, regional biodiversity hotspot, where wild horses and aurochs were introduced as an active measure aimed at biodiversity conservation. Main goals of proposed study were to assess the role of vegetation structure and presence of grazing on beetle species composition in two trap heights, to examine suitability of flight intercept traps for monitoring arthropods of open habitats, to set the continuous arthropod monitoring program on the site and to propose a suitable model groups to assess habitat changes.