Productive characteristics of integrated agricultural systems with or without winter grazing and different fertilization strategies

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate of productive characteristics in integrated livestock-crop systems with or without winter grazing and fertilization strategies. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with split plots (3 replications per treatment). Treatments were composed of four fertilization strategies (COMB = combination of fertilization for both soybeans and winter pasture applied during the pasture phase; FSBP = fertilization for soybeans applied during the pasture phase; REC = recommended fertilizations for pasture and soybean applied in their respective phases and TRAD = traditional recommendation, with N fertilization applied during the pasture phase and P and K fertilizers applied during soybean phase) and two managements of black oat/ryegrass pasture (with or without grazing cattle). Forty crossbred beef cattle were used in an intermittent stocking. Black oat/ryegrass forage production was greater in the presence of grazing animals. When grazed, the winter pasture production was greater under COMP and FSBP fertilization strategies compared to the REC and TRAD. The number of pods per plant and number of grains per pod were higher in grazed areas. The soybean grain productivity was not affected when grazing animals were included into the system. The COMB strategy resulted in the highest soybean productivity. The application of fertilization for soybean crops in the winter pasture increased soybeans productivity regardless of the addition of grazing animals into the system.