Legume Overseeding along with P Fertilization Increase Forage Production of Temperate Natural Grasslands

RAMA, G.; OYARZABAL, M.; CARDOZO, G.; LEZAMA, F.; BAEZA, S.

Agronomy

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2022 vol. 12

2073-4395

Legume overseeding along with P fertilization is a common practice used in naturaltemperate and subtropical grasslands to increase forage production. This practice has been evaluatedat experimental plots but not at the paddocks level of commercial farms. The latter are realisticevaluation units to generate knowledge for livestock management. In this study, the enhancedvegetation index (EVI), a proxy of forage production, was used to evaluate the effect of this practice ongrazed paddocks in Uruguay. Twenty paired paddocks under similar grazing conditions were selectedwith natural grassland (NG) and natural grassland with legume overseeding and P fertilization (NGLP).Paired paddocks were compared in terms of EVI mean and its temporal variability. After nineyears of the intensification practice, mean annual EVI of NG-LP was 4% higher than that of NG, whilethe mean winter–spring EVI of NG-LP was 7.5% higher. EVI intra- and inter-annual variability ofNG-LP was 8–11% higher than that of NG. Additionally, forage production was estimated using aradiative transfer model. Differences between NG-LP and NG were amplified six to seven times.Legume overseeding along with P fertilization increased forage production in pastoral livestockpaddocks, particularly in the period of forage deficit, while it also increased intra and inter-annualvariability of forage production.