ESTIMATIVA DE DEGRADAÇÃO DE PASTAGENS UTILIZANDO O “MÉTODO DA CORDA” EM TORNO DE PALMAS – TO

Abstract

Pasture degradation is a phenomenon that impairs the productive capacity of forage grasses, making it necessary to measure soil degradation in pasture areas. The objective of the study was to evaluate soil cover in two areas close to the Center for Agricultural Sciences of the State University of Tocantins (Unitins), using the “rope method”. Forty sample points were carried out, evaluating the characteristics of the presence of Brachiaria (B), soil covered with straw (SP), soil without cover (SSN), spontaneous plants (PE), termites (C), and anthills (F). The data was analyzed in Excel in a “Descriptive Statistics” way, checking the average of the points, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. In the first area, there was less occurrence of spontaneous plants, uncovered soil, termite mounds, and anthills, as this pasture was recently implemented. In the second area, a higher level of degradation was verified due to a lack of maintenance and inadequate management, which makes sense, since this was implemented more than ten years ago, indicating that there is a reduction in soil fertility. The same does not occur in Area 1, where there is better soil coverage due to the formation of pasture.