Spatial variability of soil fertility in an integrated crop livestock forest system.

Abstract

Material and Methods The 6-ha field experiment was carried out at Embrapa Cattle Southeast in São Carlos, SP, Brazil (21°57'S, 47°50'W, 860 m alt) during the growing season of 2013/2014. The ICLFS is planted with Eucalyptus urograndis (GG100) planted in single rows with 15m-distance and 2m between plants. Pasture is Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã. Annually 1/3 of area is renewed with the corn sown together with the Piatã grass. Soil fertility parameters (P, K + , cation exchange capacity – CEC, basis saturation-V% and soil organic matter SOM) were evaluated at 1.5; 3.0; and 7.5m distance from the trees and 0-20 cm depth, before and after annual crop corn growth.