ADUBAÇÃO E IRRIGAÇÃO DE FORRAGEIRAS DO GÊNERO Megathyrsus

Abstract

Brazil is the world's second largest producer and exporter of meat. The Brazilian Cerrado presents very favorable conditions for the production and exploitation of livestock. Goiás, the state with the largest area of cultivated pastures, is occupied by a herd of 18.4 million heads, placing 4th in the country. The cerrado climate consists of five rainfall patterns and has as characteristic the longevity of the dry period, which occurs on average from May to October. Irrigation can be an alternative for intensive meat and milk production in small areas, and it is possible to increase the production and profitability of the systems. The most used tropical forage species are heavily affected at low temperatures and photoperiods in addition to water deficit. Thanks to research in tropical forage, new cultivars of high productivity have been launched in Brazil. The cultivars Kenya and Miyagui of Megathyrsus maximus are some examples that were launched in 2017. . The available water capacity (CAD) varies according to soil texture. The soils are classified into four texture groups: sandy (< 15), medium texture (16 to 35%) and clayey (36 to 60% clay). Cerrado soils typically have low fertility due to low nutrient availability and aluminum toxicity. Adequate correction, planting and cover fertilization including organic fertilizers has great potential to increase soil fertility and improve forage productivity in this environment.