Nutritional parameters, chlorophyll content and biomass

production in different pasture ecossystems.

Bertalot, Maria Jos Alves1; Guerrini, Ira Amaral2; Mendoza, Eduardo3; Pinto, Mauro
Sergio Vianello4
1, 3Instituto Elo de Economia Associativa , Botucatu SP.
E-mail maria@elo.org.br; eduardo@elo.org.br;
2
Department of Natural Resources/Soil Science, FCA, UNESP, Botucatu SP.
E-mail:iguerrini@fca.unesp.br. Supported by CNPq;
4
Embrapa Agroindstria de Alimentos Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil. mauro.pinto@embrapa.br

SUMMARY
In 2003 a review of grazing areas was conducted in Botucatu - SP Biodynamic Association,
including different areas and management systems, including native pastures in cerrado, Brachiaria
decumbens in a single system and intercropped with native and exotic vegetation, Brachiaria
decumbens in agroforestry and Brachiaria decumbens associated with Stylosanthes and Pigeon Pea
(Cajanus cajan). On occasion physical and chemical analyzes of soil and foliar analyzes were
performed to determine the concentration and amount of nutrients in dry matter, the dry matter
yield in tons per hectare, and chlorophyll. The results were presented at the First Brazilian Congress
of Agroecology, held in Porto Alegre in 2003 ( Bertalot and Mendoza, 2006). These same areas
were reassessed in 2011 and 2012.
Agroforestry systems contribute to high biomass production, litter and organic matter
deposited in the soil and in profile. This deposition of organic materials favors the release of
nutrients by plants that have been extracted from deep soil layers and thus return to the ground;
treatment 1 - AFS with presence of leguminous species contributed to the higher levels of nitrogen (
N ) and carbon in the biomass studied.

INTRODUCTION
Traditionally, the regions of the Brazilian Cerrado exploitation of natural and cultivated
pastures is made of extractive way, providing this way, progressive degradation of the pasture.
Probably, the problems are soil fertility and pasture management (Rodrigues et al., 2007). In the
history of the Brazilian cattle industry has been common to replace most demanding forage in soil
fertility, thus more productive forage for less demanding, as is observed to decrease soil fertility
(Ceplac, 2010).
 Bertalot et al. (2009b) evaluated the performance of Bachiaria decumbens under different
management systems:) a control (no intervention); 2) disking; 3) disking the area and addition of
seeds of Stylosanthes variety Campo Grande to haul and subsequent harrowing for incorporation
seeds; 4) grooved area and application of Stylosanthes seeds in the furrows. The authors observed
that the recovery of the area and biomass production was more effective on third treatment with
consortium of pasture grasses and legumes. The pasture also showed a higher content of nutrients
in this form of management. Except the control, soil was amended with limestone and adding
termophosphate.
According to the Portal do Agronegocio (2010) and Cerri (2009), agriculture is responsible
for over 30% of global emissions of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is produced by a
natural layer of gases in the atmosphere that protects the earth from excessive temperature decrease,
preventing the heat dissipates to levels that make the planet to cool down too much. (IPCC, 2000
and Cole et al., 1995). Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon dioxide. This
process primarily occurs in oceans and woodlands, where organisms, through photosynthesis,
carbon capture and release oxygen in the atmosphere. CO2 stored in the terrestrial ecosystem can be
set both on the ground in the forest. The stored CO2 is the balance between the absorption of plant
carbon sequestration in soil and losses by respiration and decomposition. Terrestrial ecosystems
that comprise the forest and soil are currently considered as a great sinkhole (from English "sink ")
of carbon, especially the soil (Roscoe, 2003; Machado, 2005).
Research work carried out at the School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ (2007)
and EMBRAPA (2004) report that agricultural areas with tillage and pasture areas contribute to
carbon sequestration. There are three more times more CO 2 fixed in the soil than in the atmosphere.
If the soil is not handled properly, this carbon is released and contributes to global warming,
explains Cerri (2009). In farming or ranching, when inputs or inputs of crop residues are greater
than the outputs of carbon via respiration of microbial activity, there occurs carbon sequestration
(Royo, 2010). Inside the potential of organic agriculture, according Boddey, Alves and Urtiaga
(2004), carbon sequestration can be achieved by adequate soil management, a succession /
appropriate crop rotation, some for biomass and green and straw coverage for ground cover and
formation of organic matter. Among these crops, maize, millet and oats are used.
Appropriate management practices, which are designed to maintain or even the
accumulation of carbon in the soil-plant system can mitigate the effects of global warming. These
management practices may include: implementation of tillage systems, restoration of degraded
pastures, implementation of integrated farming, reforestation of marginal areas, use of species that
have high biomass production, elimination of fires, among others (Carvalho et al., 2010).
 In relation to soil management, the implementation of agroforestry systems and the
integration of crop and livestock activities benefits the soil and contributes to carbon sequestration,
biomass produced by the system, the soil cover, formation and incorporation of organic matter and
also favors the diversification of activities on the property, combining trees, perennial crops, annual
crops, orchards, pastures, in the same area. Bertalot and Mendoza (2006) working with pastures in
a Typic dystrophic stage in Botucatu - SP, found levels of organic matter in the soil 1,75 g dm - 3 in
the different treatments. Higher nitrogen concentrations were found in the agroforestry system,
Brachiaria decumbens with alleys of Acacia melanoxylon (18 g kg-1) and intercropping pasture
with Stylosanthes sp. (15 g kg-1), in the other treatments, with single pasture and native trees, these
values were lower. The chlorophyll content in the leaves was also higher in the pasture with alleys
of A. melanoxylon (4.35 mg 100cm-2).

Studying different systems of coffee production in Gara - SP, Bertalot (2009a) found
organic matter content of 11.50, 11.50, 10.25, 11.25 and 7.25 g dm -3 in treatments with coffee
agroforestry, organic coffee, coffee biodynamic (Paradise Ranch), biodynamic coffee (Rainbow
Ranch) and conventional coffee, respectively, in the 0 - 20 cm soil layer.
The concentration of nitrogen in the leaves showed the following values: 28.00, 25.50,
26.50, 25.25 and 25.75 g kg-1 in treatments with coffee agroforestry, organic coffee, coffee
biodynamic (Paradise Ranch), biodynamic coffee (Rainbow Ranch) and conventional coffee,
respectively, showing a correlation between nitrogen and organic matter and differences between
forms of management.

The objective of this study was:

Evaluate different ecosystems in the region with similar characteristics of environment, climate
and soil at Botucatu - SP;
To the evaluate the behavior of different eco and agrosystems and its relationship with plant
nutrition and biomass nutrient content.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted in an area of Crrado native vegetation in Neighborhood Demeter, in
Botucatu - SP, between February 2011 and January 2013. The area is bounded by geographic
coordinates 22 57 ' South Latitude and 48 25' Longitude west, with an altitude of 900 meters. The
local climate is type "cfa" rainy subtropical, according to the Kppen classification. The average
annual temperature is 20.5 C and annual average rainfall is 1,549 mm, occurring in greater
quantity from November to March, according to data recorded during 20 years in the
Meteorological Station of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Lageado Farm, UNESP, Botucatu - SP.
The experiment was conducted as a randomized block design with five treatments and four
replications, with a total of 20 plots.

The treatments were:

1) Agroforestry System with Brachiaria decumbens in a system of alleys Acacia melanoxylon,

1 - AFS; 2) Grazing area with Brachiaria decumbens intercropped with Pigeon Pea (Cajanus
cajan) and Stylosanthes sp., 2 - CP; 3) Grazing area with Brachiaria decumbens shaded with native
tree and shrub species, 3 - NP; 4) Area of Cerrado soil and original native vegetation, 4 - C; 5)
Grazing area with single Brachiaria decumbens, 5 - SP.

For the analysis of plant tissues, samples of plant material from the different treatments
were obtained. Chlorophyll content in the leaves of pastures in the different treatments was also
measured and plant material (pasture) was collected to calculate biomass produced in each
treatment. It was obtained the green and dry weight of the biomass in each plot. The result was
converted to tons per hectare. Chlorophyll was measured with the SPAD chlorophyll meter - 502,
and the values obtained were transformed into mg 100cm-2 using the formula:

Y = 0,00996 (X) 0,152

Analysis of variance was performed by Sisvar Program and the Tukey test was used to
compare the means for the different parameters.

RESULTS
In relation to the nutrients concentration (g kg-1) in plant tissue \ biomass in pasture areas at
different times of sampling, June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011, it is observed
that the content of nitrogen was higher in treatment 2 - CP in March and June 2011, probably due to
the management of green manure - cocktail leguminous - in the area, followed by treatment 1 -
AFS. This last treatment was more stable along the time of research and the content of this nutrient
has been increasing gradually. Treatment 4 had the lowest values in all sampling collection (Table 1
and Figure 1). The nitrogen content of the biomass of treatments 1 and 2 is within the proper range
for grazing, as stated by Raij et al. (1996).
TABLE 1. Nitrogen concentration in plant tissue in the different treatments.
Four sampling periods June 2004, March, June and October 2011.

Treat. June 2004 March 2011 June 2011 October 2011

-1
--------------------- ------------------ g kg ------------------------------------------------
-
1 - AFS 18,00a 19,75b 18,75b 19,25a
2 CP 15,00b 24,75a 23,50a 10,25bc
3 NP 8,50cd 11,50c 11,00c 12,75b
4C 9,50c 6,75d 6,00e 7,50c
5 - SP 7,75d 10,00c 6,50d 8,00c
F * ** ** **
LSD 1,05 1,68 1,86 2,96
CV% 3,96 5,14 6,10 11,37
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.

FIGURE 1. Nitrogen concentration (g kg-1) of dry matter in different times.

June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.
FIGURE 2. Phosphorus concentration (g kg-1) in the dry matter at different times.
June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

Phosphorous concentration in dry matter tended to show higher values en AFS as a

consequence of natural equilibrium reached in this system and single pasture treatment
received additions of nutrients along the years. Cerrado natural environment had the lowest
value of this nutrient.

FIGURE 3. Potassium concentration (g kg-1) of dry matter in different times.

June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

Potassium concentration in dry matter followed a similar performance than

phosphorous in these systems, in accordance to different management practices or
maintenance of natural environment.
 Calcium concentration was lower in treatment 4 and these values are in agreement with the
natural environment where they are located, Cerrado environment. These values were highest at
treatment 1 as a result of a natural process and silvopastoril management in previous years,
promoting some balance in nutrient cycling (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4. Calcium concentration (g kg-1) in the dry matter at different times.

June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

It was observed that the iron concentration was highest in treatment 4, value which is in
accordance with the characteristics of the Cerrado soil and original vegetation environment (Figure
5).
mg kg-1

FIGURE 5. Iron concentration (mg kg-1) in the dry matter at different times.
June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.
 Dry matter t ha-1

FIGURE 6. Dry weight (t ha-1) obtained at different times. June 2004,

March 2011, June 2011, October 2011and January 2012

The highest dry matter values were obtained in treatments 1, 3 and 2 probably due to the
management of protected areas and pasture management (treatment 2), as shown in Figure 6.
In relation to quantity of nutrients found in plant tissue, the highest values of nitrogen were
found in treatment 2 in March and June 2011, as a consequence of the consortium of plants used in
grassland - grasses and legumes, among other native plant species, as well as higher biomass in
these systems (Figure 7). The treatment 1, 3 and 5 also showed the same trend, in accordance to the
sampling times. Treatment 4 had the lowest amounts of nitrogen in the dry matter, characteristic of
the Cerrado environment.

FIGURE 7. Amount of nitrogen (kg ha-1) in dry matter at different times.

June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.
 The highest value in the amount of nitrogen occurred in treatment 2 in March and June
2011, as a consequence of the interaction of brachiaria and pigeon pea in pastures. This value
declined sharply in October as a result of the burning of pasture due to frost in late August (28 and
August 29, 2011). Treatment 1 showed more stable and balanced over the study time values.

FIGURA 8. Amount of phosphorous (kg ha-1) in dry matter at different times.

June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

Amounts of phosphorous and potassium in the systems were related to concentration of

these nutrients in dry matter and greater production of biomass in march and june as a consequence
of suitable climatic conditions that favored vegetative growth of the different species developing in
these environment (Figures 8 and 9).

FIGURE 9. Amount of potassium (kg ha-1) in dry matter at different times.

 June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

FIGURE 10. Amount of Calcium (kg ha-1) in dry matter at different times.
June 2004, March 2011, June 2011 and October 2011.

Treatments 1 and 2 had the highest amount of calcium in the dry matter (kg ha -1) as well as
higher levels of calcium concentration in the leaf tissue (kg ha -1) (Figure 4). This result may be due
to management, addition of organic matter and biomass by vegetation itself and its diversity in the
case of treatment 1 and 2. In the latter treatment may have been a combined effect of diversity,
ground cover and soil management practices (Figure 10).

FIGURE 11. Amount of iron (kg ha-1) dry matter at different times,
June 2004, March 2011, June 2011, October 2011.
 The amount of iron accumulated in dry matter tended to be higher in October 2011, with
emphasis on treatments 3 and 4, after frost 28-29 of August. The regrowth of plant biomass in areas
with dense vegetation, seems to have higher iron content, and this combined with a vigorous
regrowth fact, coinciding with the rainy season, may have influenced the increase in the amount of
iron in the dry biomass of these two treatments. Treatment 5 with soil pH higher and lower ground
cover - less biomass, showed the lowest values in this parameter (Figure 11).

Chlorophyll.
Treatment 1 had the highest values of chlorophyll in the plant tissue, at certain times of
measurement there was no significant difference with treatment 2 or treatments 3 and 4, probably
due to the reasons mentioned above, these four treatments have tree and / or shrub cover; treatment
2 was a consortium of brachiaria - pigeon pea (the latter plant was severely affected by frost
occurred in August 2011). Treatment 5, which is a grazed area with very little biomass, suffered
with frost, burning the grass, which was replaced by a planting of black oats, quickly consumed by
cattle during winter and spring 2011. Brachiaria pasture recovered along summer time and
remained yellowish along the time.
In treatment 2, despite having suffered with frost and disappearance of pigeon pea,
vegetation recovered satisfactorily. The color of the pasture is a light green, which still does not
compare to dark green pasture or grass treatments 1, 3 and 4, which showed the highest levels of
chlorophyll in January 2012 (Table 5 and Figures 12 and 13). The chlorophyll content was higher in
treatments 1, 2 and 3 along the studied periods, presenting a more balanced behavior over time.
Treatment 1 had a similar amount of chlorophyll content in 2004 and 2011 as a result of the
biodiversity of the system and the presence of leguminous trees, nitrogen fixers. The other two
treatments, 2 and 3 also had conditions suitable for the development and maintenance of vegetation
cover, biomass, formation and utilization of organic matter in the soil. The systems 4 and 5 had the
lowest chlorophyll content, and the first of them, Cerrado, corresponded to their soil characteristics.
Treatment 5 indicates the consequences of management that is submitted, overgrazing constant
(Figure 12).
 FIGURE 12.

Treatment 5 showed the lowest values in these parameters due to the intensive use of land
and pasture, and there is not time enough for pasture recovering before being grazed again, as a
consequence of management (Figure 13).

Nitrogem concentration g kg1

1 AFS 2 PC 3 NP 4C 5 - SP
FIGURE 13. Relationship between chlorophyll content (columns) and nitrogen concentration
(lines) in the dry matter at different times. June 2004, March 2011, June 2011,
October 2011 and January 2012.

Arevalo et al. (2002) proposed a method whereby the dry sample weight is estimated in t
ha-1, and this value is multiplied by the factor of 0.45 to obtain the amount of carbon contained in
the biomass. In March 2012, the treatment 1 had the highests biomass production and carbon
content, with a significant difference compared to other treatments. Treatment 5, grassland with
intensive use, showed the lowest values of this parameter (Table 2).
TABLE 2. Results of the analysis of leaf tissue. March 2012.

Nutrients concentration
----------------------------- g kg1----------------------------- -------------- mg kg1 --------------
Treat. Dry matter Carbon N P K Ca Mg S B Cu Fe Zn
t ha-1 t ha-1
1 - AFS 5,67a 2,55a 17,25 a 1,10 b 10,75b 5,75a 6,95a 1,77b 9,25 3,75 113,50b 29,75a
2 - CP 5,49b 2,47b 11,00 b 1,67 a 8,00 bc 4,25b 5,67b 1,67b 10,25 4,25 117,50b 28,25a
3 - NP 5,48b 2,46b 10,75 b 0,85 b 6,75c 3,75bc 4,12c 2,47a 9,75 4,25 105,00b 17,75b
4- C 3,01c 1,35c 6,50 c 0,47 c 2,75d 1,25d 0,62e 1,62b 8,00 4,25 1503,50a 11,50c
5 - SP 2,91c 1,31c 8,75 bc 1,92a 15,25a 3,00c 3,02d 1,70b 10,25 4,50 115,75b 18,25b

F ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** NS NS ** **
LSD 0,118 0,06 2,49 0,26 3,90 0,87 0,70 0,16 2,99 1,30 204,32 4,61
CV % 1,16 3,54 10,20 9,67 19,91 10,76 7,63 3,82 13,99 13,75 23,17 9,69
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.
 In relation to foliar and nutrient concentration analyses in plant tissues carried out in March
2012, the largest amount of nitrogen was found in Treatment 1, with statistical difference compared
to other treatments. This treatment is located in an agroforestry system in alleys, a fact that
coincides with the presence of leguminous tree species, mainly Acacia melanoxylon, as well as
various native species. Potassium (K) showed a higher value in treatment 5, with statistical
difference, also as a result of agricultural activity and the addition of lime. The calcium (Ca) and
magnesium (Mg) were highest in treatment 1, with statistical difference compared to other
treatments. Iron content (Fe) was higher in treatment 4, with significant difference, value according
to the characteristics of the Cerrado ecosystem.
Considering the amount of nutrients in the plant tissue, the highest values of nitrogen,
phosphorus, calcium and magnesium found in treatments 1 and 2, agroforestry and consortium
pasture, respectively. The highest values of potassium were found in treatments 5 and 1. Again, the
greatest amount of iron was obtained on treatment 4, corresponding to the ecosystem Cerrado
(Tables 2 and 3).
TABLE 3. Amount of nutrients in dry matter. March 2012.

Nutrients (kg ha-1)

Treat. Chlorophyll N P K Ca Mg S B Cu Fe Zn
mg 100cm-2
1 - AFS 3,66a 98,05a 6,24b 60,97a 32,65a 39,44a 10,07b 0,053a 0,021a 0,644b 0,165
a
2 - CP 3,36c 60,45b 9,20a 45,27ab 23,36b 31,19b 9,00b 0,058a 0,023a 0,645b 0,152
a
3-P 3,46b 58,83b 4,66c 37,00b 20,56b 22,61c 13,56a 0,053a 0,023a 0,575b 0,094
b
4C 3,38bc 29,58c 1,43d 8,27c 3,76d 1,88e 4,12c 0,026b 0,013b 4,522a 0,034
c
5 - SP 2,96d 25,51c 5,50bc 44,42ab 8,73c 8,81d 4,95c 0,027b 0,013b 0,338b 0,051
c
F ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
LSD 0,09 11,25 0,97 17,24 4,80 3,90 1,60 0,01 0,0018 0,57 0,024
CV % 1,22 9,50 8,02 19,52 11,95 8,33 8,52 10,55 13,60 18,82 10,88
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.
 The chlorophyll content (mg 100cm-2) measured in March 2012 in plant material tended to
have relationship with the amount of nitrogen (kg ha-1) present in each treatment, as shown in
Figure 14 .
mg 100cm-2-2)

Nitrogen kg ha-1
Chlorophyll content (mg

FIGURE 14 . Amount of nitrogen (kg ha-1) and chlorophyll content (mg 100cm-2)
in dry matter. March 2012.
Results of analysis of leaf tissue from different treatments. June to November 2012.

TABLE 4. Concentration of nutrients in dry matter. June 2012.

---------------------- g kg1------------------------- --------- mg kg1----------

Treat. Dry matter N P K Ca Mg S B Fe Zn

t ha-1
1 - AFS 5,30a 16,82 a 1,00 b 10, 20b 5,58a 6,86a 1,72b 9,12a 106,57b 26,77a
2 - CP 5,14b 10,25 b 1,56 a 7,90 bc 4,20b 5,60b 1,61b 10,19a 113,45b 27,32a
3-P 5,10b 10,50 b 0,78 b 6,66c 3,69bc 4,07c 2,42a 9,68a 104,36b 15,37b
4C 2,80c 6,00 c 0,39 c 2,67d 1,19d 0,59e 1,59c 7,93b 1523,65a 09,10c
5 - SP 2,65d 8,20 c 1,86a 14,95a 3,12c 3,00d 1,64b 10,07a 109,67b 15,22b

F ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
LSD 0,10 2,22 0,30 3,20 0,93 0,67 0,12 2,20 198,53 4,46
CV % 2,47 10,20 8,46 16,53 12,25 7,63 4,97 10,25 20,71 12,28
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.

Dry matter production, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus tended to show higher values in 1-AFS with statistical difference in
relation to other treatments. Iron was higher in treatment 4 C, corresponding to Cerrado environment, with acidic soils.
TABLE 5. Amount of nutrients in dry matter. June 2012.

Nutrients (kg ha -1)

Treat. Chlorophill N P K Ca Fe
mg 100cm-2
1 - AFS 3,59a 89,14a 5,30b 54,06a 29,57a 0,564b
2 - CP 3,32b 52,68b 8,04a 40,60ab 21,61b 0,583b
3 - NP 3,50a 53,55b 3,98c 33,96b 18,81b 0,532b
4C 3,33b 16,80c 1,09d 7,47c 3,33d 4,26a
5 - SP 3,006d 21,73c 4,93bc 39,62b 8,26c 0,29c
F ** ** ** ** ** **
LSD 0,10 10,27 0,97 14,10 4,65 0,15
CV % 3,48 7,25 8,02 14,75 8,75 14,82
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.

Chlorophill content was higher in treatment 1 AFS, as wells as nitrogen, phosphorus,

potassium. Iron content was higher in treatment 4 C, Cerrado with acidic soils and native
vegetation environment.

TABLE 6. Concentration of nutrients in dry matter. November 2012.

----------------------- g kg1--------------------------

Treat. Dry matter N P K Ca Mg S

t ha-1
1 - AFS 5,460a 15,25a 1,025bc 10,75b 6,75a 5,95a 1,65b
2 - CP 3,252c 9,00b 1,250b 8,25c 5,50ab 4,57b 1,60b
3-P 5,152b 9,50b 0,800c 4,75d 4,00c 3,30c 1,92a
4C 2,907d 8,25b 0,875c 2,75d 2,00d 0,85d 1,65b
5 - SP 2,842d 8,00b 2,00a 13,25a 5,00bc 3,05c 1,55b
F ** ** ** ** ** ** **
LSD 0,065 2,264 0,243 2,139 1,365 0,254 0,254
CV % 0,74 10,04 9,04 11,93 13,02 3,17 3,17
Means followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Tukey test (P> 0.05).
NS: not significant (P> 0.05); ** and * significant at 1 and 5%, respectively.

.
 Treatment 1 produced the highest amount of dry matter in November 2012 (Table 6), with
significant difference compared to the other treatments. Also had the highest amount of nitrogen in
the dry matter, with the value of 15.25 g kg-1 within the proper range of this nutrient (12-20 g kg-1)
for Brachiaria decumbens, as stated by Raij et al. (1996). The largest amount of phosphorus (P)
was obtained in treatment 5, with a significant difference compared to the other treatments,
probably due to soil management in the area this year 2012. All treatments are within the proper
range of this nutrient.
In relation to potassium, the highest concentration was found in the treatment 5, with a
significant difference compared to the other treatments (Table 6). This amount is within the range
of values appropriate for this nutrient in Brachiaria decumbens (12-25 g kg-1). The lowest value
was observed in treatment 4. Calcium had the highest values in treatments 1 and 2. All treatments
had values within the range suitable for Brachiaria decumbens. The lower calcium content was
found in treatment 4. Magnesium had the highest values in treatment 1, with a significant difference
compared to the other treatments, followed by treatment 2. Treatments 3, 4 and 5 had the highest
values below appropriate levels. The sample of material from the Cerrado had the lowest
magnesium content in dry matter. Sulphur content in dry matter of all treatments was within the
range for Brachiaria decumbens, according to Raij et al. (1996).

CONCLUSIONS
Treatments with greater diversity and presence of leguminous species contributed to the
higher levels of nitrogen (N) studied biomass, nutrient concentration tended to be more stable in
treatments with higher plant diversity and presence of different vegetables or strata agroforestry
systems; and diversified agroforestry systems also contribute to greater presence of chlorophyll in
plant tissues and higher biomass.

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