Degradação de pastagens em quatro municípios do estado do Amazonas com base na infestação de plantas daninhas e nos atributos do solo

Abstract

Pastures are the dietary base of cattle in Brazil, but the majority of these pastures are degraded. This study aimed to evaluate the degradation of terra firme and varzea pasture in the State of Amazonas, by estudying weed infestation and soil properties, and also on assessing and analyzing the floristic and phytosociological composition of the pastures. Accordingly, terra firme pastures formed by Brachiaria humidicola were selected, as well as native varzea pastures, in the municipalities of Autazes, Itacoatiara, Manaus and Parintins. The parameters evaluated were the following: weed infestation, chemical and textural properties of the soil, dry matter production, height, leaf: stem ratio and chemical composition of forages. Additionally, the parameters used for the phytosociological analysis were the following: frequency, density, abundance and the importance value index. Terra firme pastures and half of the varzea pastures were characterized as degraded, in wich the majority of the cases are of agricultural degradation. The varzea soil under pasture had higher fertility than the terra firme soil planted with B. humidicola. The availability of forage in the pastures was negatively correlated with weed infestations. In the four municipalities 203,486 individuals were registered and separated in 160 species and 43 families. The most representative families in number of species in both ecosystems were Poaceae, Fabaceae and Cyperaceae. In the varzea pastures, the main forages were Brachiaria subquadripara, Reimarochloa brasiliensis and Cynodon dactylon. Some of the species identified may cause injuries to animals, while others may be used as food for cattle. Therefore, proper management is necessary to ensure the productivity of pastures and avoid losses to the producer.