LOTUS spp. ? a foreigner that came to stay forever: economic and environmental changes caused by its naturalization in the Salado River Basin (Argentina)

NIEVA, AMIRA SUSANA; RUIZ, OSCAR ADOLFO

Saline and Alkaline Soils in Latin America

Springer

Año: 2021;

The Flooding Pampa in Buenos Aires Province is Argentina?s main cattle-raising area. However, climatic, topographic and edaphic conditions limit its potential for growing traditional crops such as soybean and wheat. Cattle production is an important economic activity in Argentina, so it is of interest to improve lowland areas by enhancing grasslands and using them to produce healthy agro-products based on environmentally friendly technologies. The introduction of L. tenuis in the Flooding Pampa area triggered research based on its ability to tolerate the abiotic stresses that characterize the region and on its role in the improvement of the quality of forage resources. Along with research on abiotic stress tolerance, productive strategies have been developed to enhance the establishment of L. tenuis grassland and beef production. Research on Lotus spp. in the Flooding Pampa has therefore studied not only the biotechnological development and evaluation of new plant resources, but also the accompanying plant diversity, soil microorganisms and symbionts and their impact on environmental dynamics and sustainability. Based on this research, productive strategies have been designed, including continuous evaluation of the impact of cattle production on vulnerable ecosystems. In addition, basic and applied research on grasslands have been combined in order to respond to the environmental impact of the introduction and use of Lotus in these particular ecosystems. This chapter examines the different aspects involved in cattle production based on the use of an exotic legume under restrictive soil conditions; the study of the other plants in the ecosystem, soil microorganisms, symbionts, livestock and the impact of the whole system on environmental dynamics.