Efecto de distintas prácticas agrícolas sobre los parámetros biológicos del suelo y la producción de cultivos forrajeros

Resumo

Traditionally, the study of the effect of different techniques of soil tillage and fertilization onsoil properties has been focused on the analysis of soil physical and chemical parameters.Recently, it has been recognized that biological processes are not only intimately linked to themaintenance of soil structure and fertility but are also potentially more sensitive to soildisturbances. Consequently, in order to investigate the medium-term effect of these agriculturalpractices on soil functioning, a field assay was carried out where two seeding techniques(conventional tillage vs. direct seeding) were combined with two different types of fertilization(cow slurry vs. mineral) for the establishment of two different winter forage crops (Italian ryegrass vs. triticale/ forage pea mixture). Their effects on soil chemical, physical and biologicalparameters and on forage corn production and nutritional value were studied. Six months aftertreatment application, biological parameters proved to be more sensitive than physicochemicalparameters to detect changes induces by those practices. Cow slurry, as compared to mineralfertilization, enhanced soil biological activity and abundance of earthworms. Satisfactory resultsof forage corn production and nutritional value were obtained under both tillage and fertilizationtechniques. Finally, the triticale/forage pea mixture was slightly more productive and rich incrude protein than Italian ryegrass.