“Improvement Technologies” in Campos Grasslands: Effects on Soil Chemistry and Botanical Composition and Implications for Ecosystem Persistence

“Improvement Technologies” in Campos Grasslands: Effects on Soil Chemistry and Botanical Composition and Implications for Ecosystem Persistence | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article “Improvement Technologies” in Campos Grasslands: Effects on Soil Chemistry and Botanical Composition and Implications for Ecosystem Persistence João Pedro Moro Flores, Lucas Aquino Alves, Gustavo Pesini, Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background and Aims Pasture improvement practices such as liming, fertilization, and overseeding with exotic cool-season species have been adopted to increase forage production and reduce land conversion to agriculture; however, their long-term effects on soil chemical properties and plant community structure remain insufficiently understood across contrasting environments. Methods This study evaluated unimproved natural grassland (NG) and improved natural grassland (NG + X, where X represents years under improvement) across five physiographic regions in southern Brazil. Improvements consisted of surface liming, annual fertilization with N, P, and K, and overseeding with ryegrass and legumes. Soil samples were collected at four depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm) to assess pH, exchangeable cations, Al saturation, and available P and K. Botanical composition, species richness, diversity indices, and forage production were also quantified. Results Improvement technologies generally increased soil fertility, especially by raising pH and increasing available P and K, although effects were largely restricted to the surface layer due to limited mobility of lime and P. In contrast, long-term nitrogen fertilization without liming promoted soil acidification in some environments. Pasture improvement altered plant community composition, favoring fertilization-responsive forage species but, in some locations, reducing species richness and diversity, particularly under long-term ryegrass establishment. Responses varied among sites and were strongly influenced by initial soil fertility. Conclusion Overall, targeted pasture improvement in low-fertility soils can enhance forage production and ecosystem services, but strategies must be carefully managed to avoid long-term biodiversity losses and excessive nutrient stratification. Beef cattle system ⋅ Native grassland ⋅ Overseeding ⋅ Liming ⋅ Pampa biome ⋅ Phosphorus Liming ⋅ Potassium Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Introduction Natural grasslands worldwide cover approximately 40% of the Earth's surface and constitute key ecosystems for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon (C) sequestration, soil stabilization, and biodiversity conservation, thereby playing a central role in global climate regulation (Hovenden et al. 2014; Bai and Cotrufo 2022 ; Zhang et al. 2025 ; Pillar and Winck 2026). In South America, natural grasslands extend over approximately 500,000 km 2 , spanning latitudes between 24 o and 35 o S and encompassing Uruguay, Northern Argentina, Southern Brazil, and parts of Paraguay (Pallares et al. 2005 ). In Brazil, these natural grasslands correspond to the Pampa biome, which covers approximately 13.7 million hectares and provides essential ecosystem services, such as water resource conservation, support for pollinator communities, and the maintenance of valuable genetic resources (Viglizzo and Frank 2006; Weyland et al. 2017). Owing to their capacity to reconcile livestock productivity with the conservation of native vegetation, Pampa grasslands represent the primary forage base for beef cattle systems in Southern Brazil (Viglizzo et al. 2001; Pillar et al. 2009; Viana et al. 2021 ; Jacobo et al. 2024 ). Soils under natural grasslands of the Pampa biome are typically characterized by low natural fertility (Hasenack et al. 2023 ). As a result, forage production in these systems is constrained by limited nutrient availability and low crude protein concentrations (Gatiboni et al. 2008 ). Only 4% of the natural grasslands within the Pampa biome occur on soil classes with inherently high natural fertility (Hasenack et al. 2023 ), a condition that leads to marked improvements in native forage quality and botanical composition (Ferreira et al. 2011 ). These edaphic constraints have strongly influenced land-use dynamics in the region. Between 1985 and 2024, approximately 4 million hectares of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation characteristic of the Pampa biome were converted to agricultural and/or forestry systems (Souza et al. 2020 ). To prevent the conversion of native areas in the Pampa biome, increasing the competitiveness of livestock production relative to agriculture has been proposed as a key strategy (Córdova 2021). This can be achieved mainly through the adoption of pasture improvement technologies, including liming, fertilization, and overseeding with annual exotic cool-season species in native grassland, which can substantially enhance annual forage production (Gatiboni et al. 2000; Ferreira et al. 2011 ; Flores et al. 2025a ). In addition to improving productivity, increased forage availability promotes greater C sequestration from the atmosphere and its subsequent accumulation in the soil (Conant et al. 2017 ; Flores et al. 2025b ), thereby contributing positively to climate change mitigation (Piñeiro et al. 2010 ), particularly in long-term improved natural grassland systems. Overseeding of exotic species in natural grasslands, especially legumes, should be accompanied by soil acidity amelioration and adequate soil phosphorus (P) availability. This practice increases forage yield (Viégas et al. 2017 ), especially in the long-term due to cumulative fertilizer inputs, and improves forage quality (Flores et al. 2025a ). In addition, these management practices may also benefit certain native species (Oliveira et al. 2015 ; 2022 ), including grasses of the genus Paspalum sp. and especially legumes such as Desmodium sp. (Nabinger et al. 2019). Despite these positive effects, the response of natural grasslands to improvement practices is highly variable, ranging from no response (Gomes 1996) and moderate increases of 21–34% (Pizzani et al. 2007; Cunha et al. 2001) to substantial gains of up to 187% in forage production (Sallis et al. 2000). The causes of this wide variability remain poorly understood but appear to be associated with differences in soil type (Oliveira et al. 2012), botanical composition (Vidor et al. 1998), and nutrient input rates (Amaral et al. 2006). Despite the growing research on improvement technologies for natural grasslands in the Pampa biome, particularly the use of soil amendments and fertilizers to enhance soil chemical conditions and promote forage growth, as well as the introduction of exotic species to increase forage availability during periods of seasonal scarcity, important knowledge gaps remain regarding their long-term effects on soil properties and native plant communities. Few studies have simultaneously evaluated how these management strategies influence soil chemical attributes and reshape the botanical composition of natural grasslands across contrasting environmental conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess, across five physiographic regions in southern Brazil, how pasture improvement technologies with varying adoption periods affect soil chemical properties and structure, plant community composition, and ecosystem services in natural grasslands of the Pampa biome. Materials and methods Study sites Field experiments were conducted in the Pampa biome region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in five locations: Piratini (PIR), Lavras do Sul (LVS), Dom Pedrito (DOP), Santana do Livramento (SLV), and São Pedro do Sul (SPS) (Fig. 1; Table 1 ). The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Cfa) according to the Köppen-Geiger classification adapted by Alvares et al. (2013), with no defined dry season. Rainfall and mean air temperature are shown in Fig. 2. Soil chemical and physical properties were presented in Table 2. At all experimental sites, the maximum slope was 0.08 m m − 1 . Table 1 Characterization of production environments evaluated in Piratini, Lavras do Sul, Dom Pedrito, Santana do Livramento, and São Pedro do Sul, southern Brazil. Site Soil class Environment a Years of improvement technologies (starting year) Liming (Mg ha − 1 ) Accumulated fertilization (kg ha − 1 ) b Overseed species N P K Piratini (PIR) Leptosol NG - - - - - - NG + 7 7 (2015) 3 155 (22) 166 (24) - Ryegrass NG + 12 12 (2010) - 105 (9) 148 (12) - Ryegrass Lavras do Sul (LVS) Chernosol NG - - - - - - NG + 4 4 (2018) - 81 (20) 35 (9) - Ryegrass NG + 14 14 (2008) - 351 (25) 153 (11) - Ryegrass Dom Pedrito (DOP) Vertisol NG - - - - - - NG + 4 4 (2018) - 44 (11) 45 (11) - Ryegrass + White clover + Lotus sp. Santana do Livramento (SLV) Leptosol NG - - - - - - NG + 2 2 (2020) - 74 (37) 24 (12) - Ryegrass São Pedro do Sul (SPS) Acrisol NG - - - - - - NG + 2 2 (2020) 3 141 (71) 86 (43) 25 (13) Ryegrass + White clover + Lotus sp. NG + 4 4 (2018) 3 254 (64) 115 (29) 112 (28) Ryegrass + White clover + Lotus sp. a NG represents natural grassland, and the numbers indicate the number of years since the adoption of improved management practices. b Fertilization N, P e K in parentheses represent the annual average applied per nutrient. The experiments were carried out on five private farms affiliated with the “ Alianza del Pastizal Brazil” , a collaborative, non-profit initiative for environmental conservation and sustainable production in the Pampa biome that certifies farms maintaining at least 50% of their land under natural grassland and promotes sustainable land use. Different production environments were tested on each farm: (i) unimproved natural grassland (NG) and (ii) improved natural grassland (NG + X, where "X" is the number of years of improvement until 2022) (Table 1 ). Each production environment corresponds to a livestock production area ranging from 10 to 50 hectares and was free of invasive exotic species, such as Eragrostis plana . Three grazing exclusion cages were installed approximately 30 m apart in each production environment. Grasslands were managed under a continuous stocking method with Angus, Brangus, Hereford, and Braford beef cattle, with variable stocking rates ranging from 450 to 900 kg ha − 1 of live-weight. No records of fertilization, liming, overseeding of exotic species, or herbicide application were found in areas managed as NG. In contrast, NG + X areas were managed using a combination of improvement technologies, including soil pH correction by liming, annual fertilization with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and overseeding with cool-season exotic species, such as ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum L.), white clover ( Trifolium repens ), and Lotus spp. (Table 1 ). Liming was applied at least three months before overseeding to increase soil pH. Overseeding was performed by broadcast seeding at the beginning of the fall season (from April to May) in the first year of implementation of improvement practices. Seeding rates were 50 kg ha − 1 for ryegrass and 3 kg ha − 1 for white clover and Lotus sp. Fertilization with N, P, and K was applied by broadcast after seedling emergence. Urea, triple superphosphate, and potassium chloride were used as sources of N, P, and K, respectively. Soil sampling and analysis Soil sampling was carried out in March 2021 in four soil layers (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm depth) using a shovel, with three subsamples for each treatment, resulting in a total of 156 samples across the five sites evaluated. Each sample consisted of three subsamples collected approximately 30 m apart within each plot. Samples were oven-dried at 50°C under forced-air circulation, crushed, and sieved to ≤ 2.0 mm. The following soil chemical properties were determined: pH in water (1:1 v/v), available P and K extracted with Mehlich-1, and exchangeable Al, Ca, and Mg extracted with 1.0 mol L − 1 KCl. All analyses followed the procedures described by Tedesco et al. (1995). Exchangeable Al was determined by titration with 0.0125 mol L − 1 NaOH solution; Ca and Mg by atomic absorption spectrometry; K by flame photometry, and P by photocolorimetry (Tedesco et al. 1995). The sum of Ca + Mg+K was determined by the sum of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K. The cation exchange capacity at pH 7.0 (CEC pH7.0 ) was calculated by (Ca + Mg+K) + (H + Al); the Ca + Mg+K saturation (V) was calculated using the relation: V (%) = 100 × (Ca + Mg+K)/CEC pH7.0 ; and the Al saturation (m) was obtained by the relation: m (%) = [Al/ ((Ca + Mg+K) + Al)] × 100 (CQFS-RS/SC 2016). The soil chemical and physical properties in the NG production environments are presented in Table 2. Evaluation of forage production and botanical composition Forage production was assessed in the selected farms (Table 1 ). Grassland was evaluated every 60 days by sampling vegetation in each production environment, for a total of 6 measurements. The total dry matter (DM) production (kg ha − 1 of DM) was estimated using the grazing exclusion cages method (Klingman et al. 1943 ), based on cumulative forage accumulation over successive 60-day intervals. The triple pairing technique involves selecting three representative and adjacent pasture areas. One area is harvested, and the biomass is weighed and placed inside an exclusion cage located in a second area, where vegetation remains undisturbed. A third area is designated as the reference point for subsequent sampling. Botanical composition was assessed in January 2022 through visual estimates of the proportional contribution of each species to the total forage mass, following the BOTANAL method (Tothill et al. 1992) using 6 frames per treatment, each measuring 0.25 square meters. Vegetation was characterized in terms of species richness and diversity. Species richness was defined as the total number of species recorded per site, and species diversity was estimated using the Shannon index (Kent and Coker 1992). Dominance was estimated by Pielou’s evenness index (J), which compares the observed Shannon–Wiener diversity with the theoretical maximum diversity based on an even species distribution (Kent and Coker 1992). Plant species were grouped into functional groups to study vegetation dynamics. Species were classified using a hierarchical approach (Lavorel et al. 1997 ). The grouping criteria were based on whether the species had forage potential, whether it was exotic or native, and whether it was grass or another functional type. Descriptive and statistical analyses For visualization of orthogonal (disjoint) or overlapping species between production environments, we plotted the Venn diagram implemented in the VennDiagram package. A heatmap (pheatmap package) was used to analyze the distribution of relative biomass among functional groups (e.g., native and exotic) across environments. For this analysis, the sum of the relative biomass of each functional group and origin was calculated for each production environment. The color intensity in the heatmap represents the magnitude of this sum, allowing visualization of patterns in relative biomass contribution across environments and cities. This approach enables the identification of trends in functional dominance and structural differences in vegetation associated with distinct management systems. For the soil, richness, and Shannon index variables, a linear model was used to test the effects of the treatments on the evaluated properties. The data obtained were subjected to tests to verify the assumptions of normality of the mathematical model using Shapiro-Wilk test, and the homogeneity of the variables using Levene’s test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the F-test, and when it was significant (p < 0.05), means were compared using Tukey’s test at a confidence level of p < 0.05, using the AgroR package (Shimizu et al. 2025 ) in R software. Results Soil chemical properties Overall, liming, phosphate and potassium fertilization, and the introduction of winter species into natural grasslands increased soil pH and nutrient availability. The effects of improvement technologies on soil chemical properties varied according to the type of management adopted and the initial edaphic conditions of the experimental sites. As shown in Fig. 3, soil pH was influenced by improvement technologies at three sites and by soil depth at four sites. At locations where liming was applied (PIR-NG + 7, SPS-NG + 2, and SPS-NG + 4; Table 1 ), increases in soil pH were restricted to the surface layer (0–5 cm), whereas subsurface layers were not affected by surface lime application. In SLV, no differences were detected between production environments (NG and NG + 2) or among soil layers (Fig. 3). Only at the DOP site, the soil pH increased in depth, with values of 5.3 at 0–5 cm and 6.1 at 20–40 cm depth. Trends similar to those observed for soil pH were presented for Ca + Mg+K saturation and Al saturation (Fig. 4). Ca + Mg+K saturation differed between production environments only in the 0–5 cm layer at the SPS site, with higher values in SPS-NG + 4 (71%) than in SPS-NG (48%) (Fig. 4e). At PIR, LVS, and SPS locations, surface soil layers exhibited higher Ca + Mg+K saturation than subsurface soil layers, whereas at DOP and SLV, the highest values occurred in the 20–40 cm soil layer. The averaged Ca + Mg+K saturation across production environments at the surface (0–5 cm depth) was 64% for PIR, 66% for LVS, and 59% for SPS locations, while the averaged Ca + Mg+K saturation at the 20–40 cm depth was 23, 57, and 22%, respectively (Fig. 4a, 4b, and 4e). For the DOP and SLV locations, the averaged Ca + Mg+K saturation across production environments decreased from 85% and 83% at the surface to 95% and 87% at the deeper soil layer, respectively (Fig. 4c and 4d). For Al saturation, depth-related differences were observed only at PIR, LVS, and SPS (Fig. 4f, 4g, and 4j), with consistently lower values in the 0–5 cm soil layer and progressive increases with depth, reaching 56% and 51% in PIR-NG + 7 and SPS-NG + 2, respectively, in the 20–40 cm soil layer under NG conditions (Fig. 4f and 4j). The Dop and SLV presented very low Al saturation (Fig. 4h and 4i). Exchangeable Ca and Mg contents did not differ between production environments at any of the evaluated sites and varied mainly along the soil profile, with generally higher concentrations in the surface layer, except at DOP and SLV (Table 3 ). Table 3 Soil calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in natural grassland (NG) production environments evaluated in Piratini, Lavras do Sul, Dom Pedrito, Santana do Livramento, and São Pedro do Sul, southern Brazil. Table 2. Soil chemical and physical properties in the natural grassland (NG) production environments evaluated in Piratini (PIR), Lavras do Sul (LVS), Dom Pedrito (DOP), Santana do Livramento (SLV), and São Pedro do Sul (SPS), southern Brazil. Environment Soil layer Clay 1 Soil density SSA* pH in water C content C/Clay ratio Available P 2 Available K 2 Ca + Mg+K saturation 3 Al saturation 4 CEC 5 cm g kg − 1 g cm − 3 m 2 g − 1 1:1 (v/v) g kg − 1 mg dm − 3 mg dm − 3 % % cmol c dm − 3 PIR - NG 0–5 205 1.07 27.9 5.1 20.3 0.064 8.1 252 60 3 14.9 5–10 230 1.39 4.9 14.6 4.8 107 42 17 12.7 10–20 242 1.44 5.0 12.2 2.6 61 30 33 13.2 20–30 262 1.48 5.0 11.3 2.1 63 28 38 13.7 LVS - NG 0–5 184 0.85 54.6 5.3 52.2 0.170 10.4 383 75 0 25.4 5–10 184 1.13 5.2 35.2 5.0 280 67 2 22.0 10–20 210 1.13 5.3 23.8 3.3 219 60 5 22.8 20–30 221 1.25 5.4 20.7 2.3 195 64 4 24.9 DOP - NG 0–5 293 0.90 94.9 5.3 46.3 0.084 8.1 208 86 0 29.7 5–10 302 1.34 5.2 25.0 3.6 117 89 0 33.7 10–20 283 1.36 5.5 16.5 2.2 81 92 0 34.4 20–30 256 1.34 6.1 9.7 1.3 75 96 0 39.2 SLV - NG 0–5 287 0.82 117.0 5.5 76.2 0.196 3.7 293 82 0 39.1 5–10 284 0.95 5.4 56.6 2.4 163 78 0 40.7 10–20 321 1.01 5.6 47.6 1.6 62 81 0 46.4 20–30 271 1.14 5.6 45.9 1.3 47 85 0 45.3 SPS - NG 0–5 152 1.22 22.7 5.0 21.6 0.090 5.0 120 49 7 10.9 5–10 160 1.47 4.9 15.8 2.7 60 33 27 10.6 10–20 166 1.34 4.9 11.1 1.6 34 27 40 10.3 20–30 194 1.53 5.0 9.8 1.1 28 25 45 11.6 1 Clay estimated by pipette method; organic carbon (C) estimated by wet combustion (Walkley and Black method). 2 Available P and K extracted by Mehlich-1. 3 Ca + Mg+K saturation = (Ca + Mg+K)/[Ca + Mg+K+(H + Al)] × 100. 4 Al saturation = Al/(Ca + Mg+K + Al) × 100. 5 CEC = Ca + Mg + K+(H + Al) * Specific surface area. PIR LVS DOP SLV SPS Ca Mg Ca Mg Ca Mg Ca Mg Ca Mg ------------------------------------------cmol c dm − 3 ------------------------------------------ NG 0–5 5.4 a 3.0 a 12.0 a 6.3 a 19.4 b 5.7 b 23.6 c 7.5 a 3.1 a 1.9 a 5–10 3.4 b 1.6 b 9.7 b 4.4 b 22.9 a 6.9 a 24.7 c 6.8 b 2.3 b 1.1 b 10–20 2.7 b 1.0 c 9.3 b 3.9 b 24.0 a 7.4 a 30.0 b 7.4 b 1.8 b 0.8 b 20–40 2.7 b 1.0 c 11.1 a 4.5 b 27.8 a 9.5 a 31.0 a 7.4 b 2.0 b 0.8 b NG + 2 0–5 - - - - - - 23.1 c 8.5 b 4.4 a 2.5 a 5–10 - - - - - - 25.7 c 9.0 b 1.9 b 1.0 b 10–20 - - - - - - 28.5 b 9.3 b 1.8 b 0.8 b 20–40 - - - - - - 33.5 a 10.7 a 1.9 b 0.7 b NG + 4 0–5 - - 6.9 a 4.2 a 18.4 b 7.0 b - - 6.8 a 3.3 a 5–10 - - 5.8 b 2.6 b 23.9 a 8.2 a - - 2.5 b 1.2 b 10–20 - - 5.9 b 2.4 b 23.6 a 7.4 a - - 2.1 b 0.9 b 20–40 - - 5.9 b 2.3 b 31.1 a 8.9 a - - 1.9 b 0.7 b NG + 7 0–5 7.8 a 3.2 a - - - - - - - - 5–10 3.0 b 1.5 b - - - - - - - - 10–20 2.0 b 0.9 c - - - - - - - - 20–40 1.8 b 0.8 c - - - - - - - - NG + 12 0–5 4.8 a 2.4 a - - - - - - - - 5–10 3.0 b 1.2 b - - - - - - - - 10–20 2.6 b 1.0 c - - - - - - - - 20–40 2.2 b 0.9 c - - - - - - - - NG + 14 0–5 - - 11.3 a 4.9 a - - - - - - 5–10 - - 9.5 b 3.9 b - - - - - - 10–20 - - 10.2 b 4.1 ab - - - - - - 20–40 - - 11.1 a 4.6 ab - - - - - - Averages followed by the same lower letter comparing the Ca and Mg between depths are not significant by Tukey's test p < 0.05. Phosphate fertilization (Table 1 ) resulted in significant increases in available P at four of the five evaluated sites (Fig. 5). These increases were predominantly observed at the 0–5 cm layer at PIR-NG + 7, PIR-NG + 12, LVS-NG + 14, SLV-NG + 2, and SPS-NG + 2, and the increment in soil available P reflected the accumulated amount of P applied over the years. In contrast, at SPS-NG + 4, the effect of P fertilization extended to a depth of 10 cm, the cumulative application of 263 kg ha –1 of P 2 O 5 between 2018 and 2022 resulted in increases of 600% and 142% in available P contents in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers, respectively. . At all sites, the surface layer consistently exhibited higher available P contents than subsurface layers, even under NG conditions, where no history of fertilization was reported. With respect to soil available K, differences between production environments were observed only at SPS, the only locations that reported potassium fertilization to the grassland. The SPS-NG + 4 environmental production showed higher concentrations of soil available K in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers than the other environments (Fig. 5j). Across all sites, available K contents were consistently higher in surface layers, resulting in pronounced vertical gradients, even under NG conditions, which lack records of fertilizer or soil amendment application. 3.2. Botanical composition and Forage production A total of 20 species were identified in DOP, of which six occurred across all production environments, while three were found exclusively in NG + 4 (Fig. 6). In SDL, 14 species were recorded, with four common species to all production environments and three exclusive to NG + 3. In PIR, 26 species in total were identified; seven were shared across all production environments, four were exclusive to NG, and eight occurred only in NG + 12. In SPS, 16 species were recorded, three of which were common to all production environments, while two were exclusive to NG. In LDS, 20 species were identified, with three common to all production environments, two exclusive to NG, and six occurring only in NG + 14. Functional grouping of species, visualized through a heatmap-based similarity analysis, revealed shifts in functional composition associated with the adoption of improvement technologies. Native forage species showed a stronger association with environments subjected to medium-term improvement processes (NG + 7 PIR, NG + 4 LVS, NG + 2 SPS). However, within the LVS, production environments under long-term improvement (NG + 14) exhibited a weaker association with native forage species. Analyzing the number of species and the ordering diagram (Figs. 6 and 7) the use of improving technologies could be modifying the botanical composition of species in the natural grasslands, especially in LVS, DOP, and SLV locations. The use of improvement technologies caused a reduction in the richness of the observed species in the short and long term in these environments (Fig. 7). Furthermore, the use of improving technologies reduced only the diversity index in LVS-NG + 4 and LVS-NG + 14 (Fig. 6g). Therefore, the use of improving technologies impacts species richness and diversity differently according to the environment. PIR and SPS locations have naturally low-fertility soils (Table 1 , 2, and 3 ) with severe limitations in P availability (Fig. 5a and 5e), low pH (Fig. 3a and 3e), and high Al saturation in the subsurface (Fig. 4f and 4j). Improvements in these soil chemical properties through liming and fertilization can maintain the level of richness and even increase species diversity in the long term (Fig. 6f). No dominance was observed through the Pielou index in any of the evaluated locations (Fig. 8). Discussion Soils in tropical and subtropical regions are naturally characterized by chemical limitations related to soil acidity and low nutrient availability, which constrain plant growth (Fageria and Nascente 2014; FAO 2015). This condition is also typical of most natural grasslands of the Pampa biome. In this context, the present study, conducted across different locations, demonstrates that the adoption of improvement technologies, particularly liming and fertilization of N and P, promoted consistent enhancements in soil chemical conditions. However, the effects of surface-applied lime and phosphate fertilizers were predominantly restricted to the uppermost soil layer (0–5 cm). This vertical stratification of chemical improvements has been widely reported in previous studies (Rheinheimer et al. 2018; Alves et al. 2019; Miotto et al. 2019) and is mainly attributed to the short time elapsed since application, the low solubility of limestone, and the limited mobility of P in the soil profile. In addition, in PIR and SPS locations, the lime rates applied were lower than those recommended by regional guidelines to raise soil pH to 6.0 and neutralize exchangeable Al (CQFS-RS/SC 2016). Although the applied rate of 3.0 Mg ha –1 was insufficient to fully reduce soil acidity, it was effective in increasing pH to approximately 5.5 in the 0–5 cm layer and enhancing Ca + Mg+K saturation, particularly in SPS-NG + 4. The incorporation of lime into deeper soil layers could potentially increase the depth of chemical correction, as commonly adopted in grain cropping systems and cultivated pastures (Auler et al. 2019). However, mechanical incorporation is incompatible with the conservation of natural grasslands, as it may disrupt soil structure and drastically alter botanical composition. Therefore, surface application remains the viable option in natural grasslands, despite its limited effect on subsurface layers. Contrastingly, in LVS-NG + 4 and LVS-NG + 14, soil pH values decreased relative to NG throughout the soil profile down to 40 cm. These environments did not receive liming but were subjected to continuous nitrogen fertilization, totaling 351 kg ha –1 , which promoted progressive soil acidification. During urea nitrification, the release of H + ions contributes to acidification, particularly when nitrate is leached (Chien et al. 2008). Consequently, increasing N inputs via fertilization led to reductions in soil pH, Ca, and Mg, and to increases in exchangeable Al (Schroder et al. 2011), reinforcing the importance of balanced fertilization strategies in natural grasslands. Despite the limited vertical extent of chemical improvements, enhanced forage production and increased soil carbon and nitrogen stocks were observed at several sites, especially in soils with low natural fertility (Flores et al. 2025b ). These responses indicate that even superficial improvements in soil fertility can substantially stimulate biomass production and organic matter inputs, highlighting the strategic role of these technologies in promoting carbon sequestration and improving ecosystem functioning in natural grasslands. Changes in soil fertility were also reflected in botanical composition. In general, improved chemical conditions favored native or exotic forage species that are more responsive to fertilization, increasing their contribution to forage mass. For instance, higher participation of Lotus subbiflorus and Trifolium repens was observed in DOP-NG + 4, while Paspalum dilatatum and Andropogon lateralis increased in sites with improvement technologies in DOP, SLV, and SPS locations. These patterns are likely associated with greater P availability and annual N inputs, as previously reported by Oliveira et al. ( 2015 , 2022 ). In contrast to the findings of Gomes et al. (1998), who documented increased dominance of Paspalum notatum in fertilized environments, our results based on the Pielou index did not indicate dominance. Diversity was not reduced in all environments, which may suggest a replacement of species by those better adapted to the new conditions created by improved management. In contrast, the establishment of ryegrass resulted in consistent reductions especially in the long term in species richness and diversity across sites, mainly due to shading and competitive effects on native species, as also reported by Bandinelli et al. (2005). This negative influence during the spring–summer period emphasizes the importance of adequate grazing management, particularly maintaining appropriate sward height to minimize competitive exclusion and preserve botanical diversity. PIR and SPS have naturally low-fertility soils with severe limitations in P availability, low pH, and high Al saturation in the subsurface. Improvements in these soil chemical properties through liming and fertilization can maintain the level of richness and even increase species diversity in the long term. Although improvement technologies enhanced soil fertility and supported higher forage productivity and carrying capacity (Flores et al. 2025a ), the predominance of surface applications intensified nutrient stratification in the soil profile. This vertical gradient may restrict root exploration and nutrient uptake in deeper layers, potentially limiting long-term system resilience. Furthermore, long-term intensification may lead to shifts in species composition and reductions in biodiversity, as also reported by Bardgett et al. ( 2021 ) and Jaurena et al. (2021). Therefore, the adoption of improvement technologies in natural grasslands of the Pampa biome should be guided by principles of cautious and spatially targeted intensification. When integrated into diversified production systems and combined with appropriate grazing management, these practices can enhance forage supply, carbon sequestration, and economic viability without compromising ecosystem persistence. Although localized reductions in species richness may occur, such strategies contribute to maintaining livestock production based on natural grasslands at a competitive level relative to annual crops and cultivated pastures, thereby supporting the long-term conservation of the Pampa biome. Conclusion In longer periods, the improvement technologies may result in losses in species richness and diversity because of competition with overseeding ryegrass and because it benefits native species that are more responsive to fertilization. Prioritizing soils with lower chemical fertility within a production system is crucial for the successful implementation of natural grassland improvement technologies. It is strongly recommended to integrate overseeding with exotic cool-season species with meticulous soil pH correction and fertility enhancements to maximize the positive outcomes in both forage and animal production. These findings underscore the potential of strategic improvement technologies in shaping sustainable and productive natural grassland ecosystems. Although the use of improvement technologies in livestock farming based on natural grasslands can be raised to a competitive level like annual crops and cultivated pastures and ensures the persistence of natural grasslands in the Pampa biome. The improvement technologies can reduce the richness and diversity of native species in the Pampa biome. It is crucial to emphasize that the outlined improvement technologies for natural grasslands should be seamlessly integrated into the design of livestock farms, with a focus on diversifying forage supply and cautiously intensifying specific production processes, guided by technical expertise. Many knowledge gaps regarding the impact of fertilization and overseeding on natural grasslands still need to be analyzed. The specific effect of each of the practices on the botanical composition of the grassland, rate-response curves for liming and fertilizers, as well as the effect of irrigation on natural pastures, are examples of factors that have yet to be explored. References ALVARES et al 2013 Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorol Z 22:711–728. https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507 BAI Y, COTRUFO, MF (2022) Grassland soil carbon sequestration: Current understanding, challenges, and solutions. Science 377(6606):603–608. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo2380 BARDGETT et al (2021) Combatting global grassland degradation. Nat Rev. 16 p BARTHRAM GT (1985) Experimental techniques: the HFRO sward stick. P. 29–30 BONDARUK V, LEZAMA F, PINTO A, PIÑERO G (2020) Overseeding legumes in natural grasslands: Impacts on root biomass and soil organic matter of commercial farms. Sci Total Environ 743:140771 CARÁMBULA M, CARRIQUIRY E, AYALA W (1994) Cultivos Mejoramiento a campo con Lotus subbiflorus cv. El Rincón. Boletín de divulgación N° 44. INIA-T y Tres (21 pp.) CONANT R, CERRI CEP, OSBORNE BB, PAUSTIAN K (2017) Grassland management impacts on soil carbon stocks: a new synthesis. Ecol Appl 27:662–668 CONANT RT, PAUSTIAN K, ELLIOTT, E.T (2001) Grassland management and conversion into grassland: effects on soil carbon. Ecol Appl 11:343 CORDOVA UA (2021) Estado da Arte do Melhoramento de Campo Nativo em Santa Catarina. Agropecuária Catarinense, Florianópolis DA SILVA F, NUNES P A. A. BREDEMEIERC, CADENAZZI M., AMARAL L. P., PFEIFER F. M., ANGHINONI I., CARVALHO P. C. F (2020) Spatiotemporal Distribution of Cattle Dung Patches in a Subtropical Soybean-Beef System under Different Grazing Intensities in Winter. Agronomy 10:1423 DEXTER AR et al (2008) Complexed organic matter controls soil physical properties. Geoderma 144:620–627 ELLERT & BETTANYl (1995) Calculation of organic matter and nutrients stored in soils under contrasting management regimes. Can J Soil Sci Ott v 75(4):529–538 FERREIRA et al (2011) Terminação de novilhos de corte Angus e mestiços em pastagem natural na região da Campanha do RS. R Bras Zootec 40(9):2048–2057 FERREIRA ET, NABINGER C, ELEJALDE DAG, FREITAS AK, CARASSAI IJ, SCHMITT F (2011) Fertilization and oversowing on natural grassland: effects on pasture characteristics and yearling steers performance. R Bras Zootec 40(9):2039–2047 FLORES et al (2025a) Enhancing Campos grassland productivity by improving soil fertility and overseeding: A meta-analysis. Geoderma Reg 43:e01014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01014 FLORES et al (2025b) Carbon storage in the Pampa biome: Increasing productivity and conservation of natural grasslands in southern Brazil with improvement technologies. J Environ Qual 54(6):1416–1431. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70091 GARAGORRY FC, QUADROS FLF, TRAVI MRL, BANDINELLI DG, JÚNIOR JAF, MARTINS, CEN (2008) Produção animal em pastagem natural e pastagem sobre-semeada com espécies de estação fria com e sem o uso de glyphosate. Acta Sci Anim Sci Maringá v 30(2):127–134 GATIBONI et al (2008) Efeito da adubação fosfatada e da calagem sobre a qualidade bromatológica da forragem de pastagem natural com introdução de espécies forrageiras de inverno. R. Bras. Agrociência. Pelotas, v.14, n.3–4, p.125–134 Brasília et al (2000) v.35, n.8, pp. 1663–1668, ago HASENACK H, BOLDRINI WEBEREJ, I. I. TREVISAN, R., FLORES, C. A., DEWES H (2023) Biophysical delineation of grassland ecological systems in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Iheringia Série Botânica, 78 HAYDOCK KP, SHAW NH (1975) The comparative yield method for estimating dry matter yield of pasture. Australian J Experimental Agric Anim Husb Melbourne v 15:663–670 HOVENDEN MJ, NEWTON, P. C., WILLS KE (2014) Seasonal not annual rainfall determines grassland biomass response to carbon dioxide. Nature 511(7511):583–586. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13281 JACOBO et al (2024) Adaptive grazing of native grasslands provides ecosystem services and reduces economic instability for livestock systems in the flooding Pampa, Argentina. Sustainability-Basel 16(10):4229. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104229 JAURENA M, LEZAMA F, CARDOZO SALVOL, AYALA G, NABINGER WTERRAJ, C (2016) The dilemma of improving native grasslands by overseeding legumes: production inten- sification or diversity conservation. Rangel Ecol Manag https://doi.org/10.1016/j. rama.2015.10.006 Klingman DL, Miles SR, Mott GO (1943) The cage method for determining consumption and yield of pasture herbage. J Am Soc Agron 35:739e746 KUZYAKOV Y (2010) Priming effects: Interactions between living and dead organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 42:1363–1371 Lavorel S, McIntyre S, Landsberg J, Forbes TDA (1997) Plant functional classifications: from general groups to specific groups based on response to disturbance Trends Ecol Evol 12, 474–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(97)01219-6 LODGE GM, KING KL, HARDEN S (2006) Effects of pasture treatments on detached pasture litter mass, quality, litter loss, decomposition rates, and residence time in northern New South Wales. Aust J Agric Res 57:1073–1085 MORAES A, MOOJEN EL, MARASCHIN GE (1990) Comparação de métodos de estimativa de taxa de crescimento em uma pastagem submetida a diferentes pressões de pastejo. REUNIÃO ANUAL DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE ZOOTECNIA, 27., 1990, Campinas. Fundação de Estudos Agrários Luiz de Queiroz, Anais… Piracicaba, p 332 MOREIRA FMS, SIQUEIRA JO (2006) Microbiologia e Bioquímica do Solo. Editora da UFLA, Lavras, pp 338–367 NABINGER C, DALL ́AGNOL M (2019) Guia para reconhecimento de espécies dos campos sulinos. Ibama, Brasília, p 132 NABINGER C et al (2009) Produção animal com base no campo nativo: aplicações de resultados de pesquisa. Campos Sulinos: conservação e uso sustentável da biodiversidade. Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Brasília, pp 175–198 OLIVEIRA LB, SOARES EM, JOCHIMS F, TIECHER T, MARQUES AR, KUINCHTNER BC, RHEINHEIMER DS, QUADROS FLF (2015) Long-term effects of phosphorus on dynamics of an overseeded natural grassland in Brazil. Rangel Ecol Manag 68:445–452 OLIVEIRA LB, TIECHER T, MARQUES ACR, SOMAVILLA, A RUTHES BES; CRESTANI C, KASCHUCK, G; RHEINHEIMER QUAADRAS, FLF (2022) Phosphate sources affect P and N nutrition in pluri-specific natural grasslands in the Brazilian Pampa biome. Rev Bras Ciênc Solo 46:e0210145 PALLARES OR, ARRETA EJ, MARASCHIN GE (2005) The South American Campos ecosystem. In: Suttie, J.M., Reynolds, S.G., Batello, C. (Eds.), Grasslands of the world (Plant production and protection Series No. 34), pp. 171–219 PILLAR VD, WINCK, B. R (2026) Natural grasslands used for grazing livestock can mitigate climate change. Science 391(6781):eaea8344. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aea8344 PIÑEIRO G, PARUELO JM, JOBBÁGY EG, JACKSON RB, OESTERHELD M (2009) Grazing effects on belowground C and N stocks along a network of cattle exclosures in temperate and subtropical grasslands of South America. Glob. Biogeochem. Cycles PIÑEIRO G, PARUELO JM, OESTERHELD M, JOBBÁGY, E.G (2010) Pathways of grazing effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Rangel. Ecol. Manag POEPLAU C, ZOPF D, GREINER B, GEERTS R, KORVAAR H, DON THUMMU, HEIDKAMP A, FLESSA A, H (2018) Why does mineral fertilization increase soil carbon stocks in temper- ate grasslands? Agric. Ecosyst Environ 265:144–155 PROUT JM, SHEPHERD KD, MCGRATH SP, KIRK GJD, HASSALL KL, HAEFELE SM (2022) Changes in organic carbon to clay ratios in different soils and land uses in England and Wales over time. Sci Rep 12:5162 RIZO LM, MOOJEN EL, QUADROS FLF, CORREA FL, JÚNIOR JAF (2004) Performance of native pasture and pasture sodseeded with winter species with or without glyphosate. Ciência Rural, v.34, n.6. ROSA AAG, VAZ RZ, LOBATO JFP (2012) Natural and improved pastures on growth and reproductive performance ofHereford heifers. R Bras Zootec 41(1):203–211 Shimizu GD et al (2025) AgroR: An R Package and a Shiny Interface for Agricultural Experiment Analysis. Acta Scientiarum Agronomy, vol. 47, no. 1, 26 Mar. pp. e73889–e73889 SALVO L, AYALA TERRAJ, CORREA WBERMÚDEZR, AVILA J, HERNÁNDEZ P (2008) J. Impacts of long-term phosphorous fertilization and addition of perennial legumes on a tem- perate natural grassland: II. Total and particulate soil organic carbon. Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World. Volume II. Edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference, p. 382 Souza et al (2020) – Reconstructing Three Decades of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Brazilian Biomes with Landsat Archive and Earth Engine – Remote Sensing, Volume 12, Issue 17. 10.3390/rs12172735 Tothill JC, Hargreaves JNG, Jones RM, McDonald CK 1992. BOTANAL - A comprehensive sampling and computing procedure for estimating pasture yield and composition. 1. Field Sampling. Ed. Revised. Brisbane VELOSO et al (2018) High carbon storage in a previously degraded subtropical soil under no-tillage with legume cover crops. Agric Ecosyst Environ 268:15–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.08.024 VIANA et al (2021) Sustainability of livestock systems in the Pampa Biome of Brazil: an analysis highlighting the rangeland dilemma. Sustainability-Basel 13(24):13781. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413781 VIÉGAS et al (2017) Fertilization response and nitrogen nutrition diagnosis of a natural grassland in Southern Brazil. Acta Iguazu, Cascavel, v.6, n.2, p. 25–36 WILM et al (1944) Estimating forage yield by the double sampling methods. J. Am Soc. Agron., Geneva, n.36, pp. 194–203 ZHANG Y, LU SUNJ, SHU Y, Z (2025) Grassland changes and the role of elevation: A global perspective. Glob Ecol Conserv 57:e03391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03391 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major revisions 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 10 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 02 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 02 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 31 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9281635","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":620827486,"identity":"92ecd7ac-22bb-4e27-9624-fe880c070e32","order_by":0,"name":"João Pedro Moro Flores","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxgcGEEYCA8MHIMXGTlALswFcC+MMkBZmIrQwwLQw84AFCGjQbWBmKPhQY5PHz5778LHNr23yfMwMjB8+5uDWYnaAmcFwxrG0Ysme58bGuX23DduYGZglZ27Dp4X/gDEP2+HEDTfS2KRze24zArWwMfPi1cLMYMzz73DifpAWy57b9sRp4W0D2iIB1MLw43YiYS2HgX6Z2ZdWLHHmGbNhb8Pt5DZmxmb8fjnezGbw4RswxNrTGB/8+HPbdn5788EPH/FoAcYCGyhiEsAcxjYw2YBHPUTTA7gWhj+EFI+CUTAKRsFIBADHOEx3cf3i9QAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8363-4911","institution":"UFRGS: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"João","middleName":"Pedro Moro","lastName":"Flores","suffix":""},{"id":620827487,"identity":"e0719bd5-5e1e-4ab6-bde4-db44a114f445","order_by":1,"name":"Lucas Aquino Alves","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lucas","middleName":"Aquino","lastName":"Alves","suffix":""},{"id":620827488,"identity":"a352119c-41a7-4da7-b8ca-502022b24a35","order_by":2,"name":"Gustavo Pesini","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gustavo","middleName":"","lastName":"Pesini","suffix":""},{"id":620827489,"identity":"103047a5-2e4d-45c2-ba48-ceb60c3ac6d9","order_by":3,"name":"Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Leandro","middleName":"Bittencourt","lastName":"de Oliveira","suffix":""},{"id":620827490,"identity":"b51bbf42-b589-4ef6-b7a7-14eec980ac21","order_by":4,"name":"Dionata Filippi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dionata","middleName":"","lastName":"Filippi","suffix":""},{"id":620827491,"identity":"b95cdcdf-79fb-493a-85fa-4093ee51627b","order_by":5,"name":"Marco Antonio Mayer","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marco","middleName":"Antonio","lastName":"Mayer","suffix":""},{"id":620827492,"identity":"16d66de4-4d17-4056-a874-c9eabc183f1d","order_by":6,"name":"Tales Tiecher","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Tales","middleName":"","lastName":"Tiecher","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-31 14:57:47","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":107175877,"identity":"f85016d3-d3e8-45a0-b262-fd5caf45dee2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-17 15:48:41","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1805945,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/4e2165b0b81fc68658173239.png"},{"id":107487033,"identity":"68fc429e-d803-470e-8f03-5ba4a9904edb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:39:39","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":98562,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/0e0aca18682059d4586d4944.png"},{"id":107175879,"identity":"e8dd5ed4-4823-464f-a5ae-314c9e24a245","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-17 15:48:41","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":65473,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/556861ee9891e09fe35c98da.png"},{"id":107175882,"identity":"f6bd6137-8f98-4f3a-9f27-0e2a8aba0a11","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-17 15:48:41","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":83781,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/7025bce9977fc122aaa278aa.png"},{"id":107175880,"identity":"c3495ae7-27cc-4992-87e0-8681d5b28e0b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-17 15:48:41","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":83897,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/1295d59a047a1c8170c3d00b.png"},{"id":107481637,"identity":"ca880a21-04a1-457a-b887-afcef34a3715","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:19:21","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":207950,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/a742ac79ef74012a56b0566d.png"},{"id":107484227,"identity":"80c75242-7f22-4d89-b98e-32b33b744043","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:31:10","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":120035,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/67cec6f7a013d537237c534c.png"},{"id":107481786,"identity":"e4853385-f0ce-4df3-9360-60e03b12887b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:19:59","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":157422,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figures8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/450d43ef9b007b2f2a6a952d.png"},{"id":107488923,"identity":"4392f84a-ab2b-444a-8777-7eb401b2d0d6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:46:11","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3669557,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9281635/v1/aeed0038-9d77-439c-b0ac-7724be874cb9.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"“Improvement Technologies” in Campos Grasslands: Effects on Soil Chemistry and Botanical Composition and Implications for Ecosystem Persistence","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eNatural grasslands worldwide cover approximately 40% of the Earth's surface and constitute key ecosystems for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon (C) sequestration, soil stabilization, and biodiversity conservation, thereby playing a central role in global climate regulation (Hovenden et al. 2014; Bai and Cotrufo \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Zhang et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Pillar and Winck 2026). In South America, natural grasslands extend over approximately 500,000 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, spanning latitudes between 24\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e and 35\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e S and encompassing Uruguay, Northern Argentina, Southern Brazil, and parts of Paraguay (Pallares et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). In Brazil, these natural grasslands correspond to the Pampa biome, which covers approximately 13.7\u0026nbsp;million hectares and provides essential ecosystem services, such as water resource conservation, support for pollinator communities, and the maintenance of valuable genetic resources (Viglizzo and Frank 2006; Weyland et al. 2017). Owing to their capacity to reconcile livestock productivity with the conservation of native vegetation, Pampa grasslands represent the primary forage base for beef cattle systems in Southern Brazil (Viglizzo et al. 2001; Pillar et al. 2009; Viana et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Jacobo et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoils under natural grasslands of the Pampa biome are typically characterized by low natural fertility (Hasenack et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). As a result, forage production in these systems is constrained by limited nutrient availability and low crude protein concentrations (Gatiboni et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Only 4% of the natural grasslands within the Pampa biome occur on soil classes with inherently high natural fertility (Hasenack et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), a condition that leads to marked improvements in native forage quality and botanical composition (Ferreira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). These edaphic constraints have strongly influenced land-use dynamics in the region. Between 1985 and 2024, approximately 4\u0026nbsp;million hectares of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation characteristic of the Pampa biome were converted to agricultural and/or forestry systems (Souza et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo prevent the conversion of native areas in the Pampa biome, increasing the competitiveness of livestock production relative to agriculture has been proposed as a key strategy (C\u0026oacute;rdova 2021). This can be achieved mainly through the adoption of pasture improvement technologies, including liming, fertilization, and overseeding with annual exotic cool-season species in native grassland, which can substantially enhance annual forage production (Gatiboni et al. 2000; Ferreira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Flores et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025a\u003c/span\u003e). In addition to improving productivity, increased forage availability promotes greater C sequestration from the atmosphere and its subsequent accumulation in the soil (Conant et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Flores et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025b\u003c/span\u003e), thereby contributing positively to climate change mitigation (Pi\u0026ntilde;eiro et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), particularly in long-term improved natural grassland systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverseeding of exotic species in natural grasslands, especially legumes, should be accompanied by soil acidity amelioration and adequate soil phosphorus (P) availability. This practice increases forage yield (Vi\u0026eacute;gas et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), especially in the long-term due to cumulative fertilizer inputs, and improves forage quality (Flores et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025a\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, these management practices may also benefit certain native species (Oliveira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), including grasses of the genus \u003cem\u003ePaspalum\u003c/em\u003e sp. and especially legumes such as \u003cem\u003eDesmodium\u003c/em\u003e sp. (Nabinger et al. 2019). Despite these positive effects, the response of natural grasslands to improvement practices is highly variable, ranging from no response (Gomes 1996) and moderate increases of 21\u0026ndash;34% (Pizzani et al. 2007; Cunha et al. 2001) to substantial gains of up to 187% in forage production (Sallis et al. 2000). The causes of this wide variability remain poorly understood but appear to be associated with differences in soil type (Oliveira et al. 2012), botanical composition (Vidor et al. 1998), and nutrient input rates (Amaral et al. 2006).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the growing research on improvement technologies for natural grasslands in the Pampa biome, particularly the use of soil amendments and fertilizers to enhance soil chemical conditions and promote forage growth, as well as the introduction of exotic species to increase forage availability during periods of seasonal scarcity, important knowledge gaps remain regarding their long-term effects on soil properties and native plant communities. Few studies have simultaneously evaluated how these management strategies influence soil chemical attributes and reshape the botanical composition of natural grasslands across contrasting environmental conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess, across five physiographic regions in southern Brazil, how pasture improvement technologies with varying adoption periods affect soil chemical properties and structure, plant community composition, and ecosystem services in natural grasslands of the Pampa biome.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eStudy sites\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eField experiments were conducted in the Pampa biome region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in five locations: Piratini (PIR), Lavras do Sul (LVS), Dom Pedrito (DOP), Santana do Livramento (SLV), and S\u0026atilde;o Pedro do Sul (SPS) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1; Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Cfa) according to the K\u0026ouml;ppen-Geiger classification adapted by Alvares et al. (2013), with no defined dry season. Rainfall and mean air temperature are shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;2. Soil chemical and physical properties were presented in Table\u0026nbsp;2. At all experimental sites, the maximum slope was 0.08 m m\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Characterization of production environments evaluated in Piratini, Lavras do Sul, Dom Pedrito, Santana do Livramento, and S\u0026atilde;o Pedro do Sul, southern Brazil.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSite\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil class\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnvironment\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYears of improvement technologies\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(starting year)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLiming\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Mg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccumulated fertilization (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverseed species\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePiratini\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(PIR)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeptosol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2015)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e155\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e166 (24)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2010)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e105\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e148\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(12)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLavras do Sul\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(LVS)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChernosol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2018)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(20)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2008)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e351\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e153\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDom Pedrito\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(DOP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVertisol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2018)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass +\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhite clover\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Lotus sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSantana do Livramento\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(SLV)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeptosol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2020)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(12)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eS\u0026atilde;o Pedro do Sul\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(SPS)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcrisol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2020)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e141\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(71)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(43)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(13)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass +\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhite clover\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Lotus sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(2018)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e254\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(64)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e115\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(29)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(28)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyegrass +\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhite clover\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Lotus sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"9\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003eNG represents natural grassland, and the numbers indicate the number of years since the adoption of improved management practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003eFertilization N, P e K in parentheses represent the annual average applied per nutrient.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiments were carried out on five private farms affiliated with the \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eAlianza del Pastizal Brazil\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e, a collaborative, non-profit initiative for environmental conservation and sustainable production in the Pampa biome that certifies farms maintaining at least 50% of their land under natural grassland and promotes sustainable land use. Different production environments were tested on each farm: (i) unimproved natural grassland (NG) and (ii) improved natural grassland (NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;X, where \"X\" is the number of years of improvement until 2022) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Each production environment corresponds to a livestock production area ranging from 10 to 50 hectares and was free of invasive exotic species, such as \u003cem\u003eEragrostis plana\u003c/em\u003e. Three grazing exclusion cages were installed approximately 30 m apart in each production environment. Grasslands were managed under a continuous stocking method with Angus, Brangus, Hereford, and Braford beef cattle, with variable stocking rates ranging from 450 to 900 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of live-weight.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo records of fertilization, liming, overseeding of exotic species, or herbicide application were found in areas managed as NG. In contrast, NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;X areas were managed using a combination of improvement technologies, including soil pH correction by liming, annual fertilization with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and overseeding with cool-season exotic species, such as ryegrass (\u003cem\u003eLolium multiflorum\u003c/em\u003e L.), white clover (\u003cem\u003eTrifolium repens\u003c/em\u003e), and \u003cem\u003eLotus\u003c/em\u003e spp. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Liming was applied at least three months before overseeding to increase soil pH. Overseeding was performed by broadcast seeding at the beginning of the fall season (from April to May) in the first year of implementation of improvement practices. Seeding rates were 50 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for ryegrass and 3 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for white clover and \u003cem\u003eLotus\u003c/em\u003e sp. Fertilization with N, P, and K was applied by broadcast after seedling emergence. Urea, triple superphosphate, and potassium chloride were used as sources of N, P, and K, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil sampling and analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil sampling was carried out in March 2021 in four soil layers (0\u0026ndash;5, 5\u0026ndash;10, 10\u0026ndash;20, and 20\u0026ndash;40 cm depth) using a shovel, with three subsamples for each treatment, resulting in a total of 156 samples across the five sites evaluated. Each sample consisted of three subsamples collected approximately 30 m apart within each plot. Samples were oven-dried at 50\u0026deg;C under forced-air circulation, crushed, and sieved to \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;2.0 mm.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe following soil chemical properties were determined: pH in water (1:1 v/v), available P and K extracted with Mehlich-1, and exchangeable Al, Ca, and Mg extracted with 1.0 mol L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e KCl. All analyses followed the procedures described by Tedesco et al. (1995). Exchangeable Al was determined by titration with 0.0125 mol L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NaOH solution; Ca and Mg by atomic absorption spectrometry; K by flame photometry, and P by photocolorimetry (Tedesco et al. 1995). The sum of Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K was determined by the sum of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K. The cation exchange capacity at pH 7.0 (CEC\u003csub\u003epH7.0\u003c/sub\u003e) was calculated by (Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K) + (H\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Al); the Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation (V) was calculated using the relation: V (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 \u0026times; (Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K)/CEC\u003csub\u003epH7.0\u003c/sub\u003e; and the Al saturation (m) was obtained by the relation: m (%) = [Al/ ((Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Al)] \u0026times; 100 (CQFS-RS/SC 2016). The soil chemical and physical properties in the NG production environments are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;2.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluation of forage production and botanical composition\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForage production was assessed in the selected farms (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Grassland was evaluated every 60 days by sampling vegetation in each production environment, for a total of 6 measurements. The total dry matter (DM) production (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of DM) was estimated using the grazing exclusion cages method (Klingman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1943\u003c/span\u003e), based on cumulative forage accumulation over successive 60-day intervals. The triple pairing technique involves selecting three representative and adjacent pasture areas. One area is harvested, and the biomass is weighed and placed inside an exclusion cage located in a second area, where vegetation remains undisturbed. A third area is designated as the reference point for subsequent sampling.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBotanical composition was assessed in January 2022 through visual estimates of the proportional contribution of each species to the total forage mass, following the BOTANAL method (Tothill et al. 1992) using 6 frames per treatment, each measuring 0.25 square meters. Vegetation was characterized in terms of species richness and diversity. Species richness was defined as the total number of species recorded per site, and species diversity was estimated using the Shannon index (Kent and Coker 1992). Dominance was estimated by Pielou\u0026rsquo;s evenness index (J), which compares the observed Shannon\u0026ndash;Wiener diversity with the theoretical maximum diversity based on an even species distribution (Kent and Coker 1992).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant species were grouped into functional groups to study vegetation dynamics. Species were classified using a hierarchical approach (Lavorel et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e). The grouping criteria were based on whether the species had forage potential, whether it was exotic or native, and whether it was grass or another functional type.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive and statistical analyses\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor visualization of orthogonal (disjoint) or overlapping species between production environments, we plotted the Venn diagram implemented in the \u003cem\u003eVennDiagram\u003c/em\u003e package. A heatmap (pheatmap package) was used to analyze the distribution of relative biomass among functional groups (e.g., native and exotic) across environments. For this analysis, the sum of the relative biomass of each functional group and origin was calculated for each production environment. The color intensity in the heatmap represents the magnitude of this sum, allowing visualization of patterns in relative biomass contribution across environments and cities. This approach enables the identification of trends in functional dominance and structural differences in vegetation associated with distinct management systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the soil, richness, and Shannon index variables, a linear model was used to test the effects of the treatments on the evaluated properties. The data obtained were subjected to tests to verify the assumptions of normality of the mathematical model using Shapiro-Wilk test, and the homogeneity of the variables using Levene\u0026rsquo;s test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the F-test, and when it was significant (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), means were compared using Tukey\u0026rsquo;s test at a confidence level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05, using the AgroR package (Shimizu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e) in R software.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eSoil chemical properties\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, liming, phosphate and potassium fertilization, and the introduction of winter species into natural grasslands increased soil pH and nutrient availability. The effects of improvement technologies on soil chemical properties varied according to the type of management adopted and the initial edaphic conditions of the experimental sites. As shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;3, soil pH was influenced by improvement technologies at three sites and by soil depth at four sites. At locations where liming was applied (PIR-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7, SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2, and SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4; Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), increases in soil pH were restricted to the surface layer (0\u0026ndash;5 cm), whereas subsurface layers were not affected by surface lime application. In SLV, no differences were detected between production environments (NG and NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2) or among soil layers (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3). Only at the DOP site, the soil pH increased in depth, with values of 5.3 at 0\u0026ndash;5 cm and 6.1 at 20\u0026ndash;40 cm depth.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrends similar to those observed for soil pH were presented for Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation and Al saturation (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4). Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation differed between production environments only in the 0\u0026ndash;5 cm layer at the SPS site, with higher values in SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 (71%) than in SPS-NG (48%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4e). At PIR, LVS, and SPS locations, surface soil layers exhibited higher Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation than subsurface soil layers, whereas at DOP and SLV, the highest values occurred in the 20\u0026ndash;40 cm soil layer. The averaged Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation across production environments at the surface (0\u0026ndash;5 cm depth) was 64% for PIR, 66% for LVS, and 59% for SPS locations, while the averaged Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation at the 20\u0026ndash;40 cm depth was 23, 57, and 22%, respectively (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4a, 4b, and 4e). For the DOP and SLV locations, the averaged Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation across production environments decreased from 85% and 83% at the surface to 95% and 87% at the deeper soil layer, respectively (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4c and 4d).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor Al saturation, depth-related differences were observed only at PIR, LVS, and SPS (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4f, 4g, and 4j), with consistently lower values in the 0\u0026ndash;5 cm soil layer and progressive increases with depth, reaching 56% and 51% in PIR-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7 and SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2, respectively, in the 20\u0026ndash;40 cm soil layer under NG conditions (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4f and 4j). The Dop and SLV presented very low Al saturation (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4h and 4i). Exchangeable Ca and Mg contents did not differ between production environments at any of the evaluated sites and varied mainly along the soil profile, with generally higher concentrations in the surface layer, except at DOP and SLV (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in natural grassland (NG) production environments evaluated in Piratini, Lavras do Sul, Dom Pedrito, Santana do Livramento, and S\u0026atilde;o Pedro do Sul, southern Brazil.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"22\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c14\" colnum=\"14\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c15\" colnum=\"15\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c16\" colnum=\"16\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c17\" colnum=\"17\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c18\" colnum=\"18\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c19\" colnum=\"19\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c20\" colnum=\"20\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c21\" colnum=\"21\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c22\" colnum=\"22\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"21\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;2. Soil chemical and physical properties in the natural grassland (NG) production environments evaluated in Piratini (PIR), Lavras do Sul (LVS), Dom Pedrito (DOP), Santana do Livramento (SLV), and S\u0026atilde;o Pedro do Sul (SPS), southern Brazil.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnvironment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil layer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClay\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil density\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSSA*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH in water\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003econtent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC/Clay\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eratio\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailable\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailable K\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAl saturation\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCEC\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ecm\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eg cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003em\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1:1 (v/v)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003emg dm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003emg dm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ecmol\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e dm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePIR - NG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e252\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e230\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e242\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e262\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLVS - NG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.170\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e383\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e280\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e219\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e221\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e195\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDOP - NG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e293\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.084\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e208\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e302\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e117\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e283\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e256\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSLV - NG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e287\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e117.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.196\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e293\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e284\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e163\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e321\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e271\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSPS - NG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e152\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.090\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e160\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e166\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e194\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c14\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c16\" namest=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c20\" namest=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c22\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"16\" nameend=\"c17\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e Clay estimated by pipette method; organic carbon (C) estimated by wet combustion (Walkley and Black method).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e Available P and K extracted by Mehlich-1.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation = (Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K)/[Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K+(H\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Al)] \u0026times; 100.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e Al saturation\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Al/(Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Al) \u0026times; 100.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e CEC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;K+(H\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Al)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e* Specific surface area.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c22\" namest=\"c18\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"No\" id=\"Taba\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePIR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLVS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDOP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSLV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSPS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"10\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e------------------------------------------cmol\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e dm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e------------------------------------------\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.4 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.0 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.6 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.5 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.1 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.7 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.0 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.5 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.0 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.1 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.5 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.7 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.5 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.7 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.2 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.8 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.6 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.2 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.4 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.6 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.1 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.8 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.2 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.8 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.8 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.4 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.6 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.9 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.5 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.2 b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.1 ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1 a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6 ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverages followed by the same lower letter comparing the Ca and Mg between depths are not significant by Tukey's test p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhosphate fertilization (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) resulted in significant increases in available P at four of the five evaluated sites (Fig.\u0026nbsp;5). These increases were predominantly observed at the 0\u0026ndash;5 cm layer at PIR-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7, PIR-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;12, LVS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14, SLV-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2, and SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2, and the increment in soil available P reflected the accumulated amount of P applied over the years. In contrast, at SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4, the effect of P fertilization extended to a depth of 10 cm, the cumulative application of 263 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026ndash;1\u003c/sup\u003e of P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e between 2018 and 2022 resulted in increases of 600% and 142% in available P contents in the 0\u0026ndash;5 and 5\u0026ndash;10 cm layers, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e. At all sites, the surface layer consistently exhibited higher available P contents than subsurface layers, even under NG conditions, where no history of fertilization was reported.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith respect to soil available K, differences between production environments were observed only at SPS, the only locations that reported potassium fertilization to the grassland. The SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 environmental production showed higher concentrations of soil available K in the 0\u0026ndash;5 and 5\u0026ndash;10 cm layers than the other environments (Fig.\u0026nbsp;5j). Across all sites, available K contents were consistently higher in surface layers, resulting in pronounced vertical gradients, even under NG conditions, which lack records of fertilizer or soil amendment application.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003e3.2. Botanical composition and Forage production\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 20 species were identified in DOP, of which six occurred across all production environments, while three were found exclusively in NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;6). In SDL, 14 species were recorded, with four common species to all production environments and three exclusive to NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;3. In PIR, 26 species in total were identified; seven were shared across all production environments, four were exclusive to NG, and eight occurred only in NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;12. In SPS, 16 species were recorded, three of which were common to all production environments, while two were exclusive to NG. In LDS, 20 species were identified, with three common to all production environments, two exclusive to NG, and six occurring only in NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFunctional grouping of species, visualized through a heatmap-based similarity analysis, revealed shifts in functional composition associated with the adoption of improvement technologies. Native forage species showed a stronger association with environments subjected to medium-term improvement processes (NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7 PIR, NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 LVS, NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2 SPS). However, within the LVS, production environments under long-term improvement (NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14) exhibited a weaker association with native forage species.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyzing the number of species and the ordering diagram (Figs.\u0026nbsp;6 and 7) the use of improving technologies could be modifying the botanical composition of species in the natural grasslands, especially in LVS, DOP, and SLV locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe use of improvement technologies caused a reduction in the richness of the observed species in the short and long term in these environments (Fig.\u0026nbsp;7). Furthermore, the use of improving technologies reduced only the diversity index in LVS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 and LVS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;6g). Therefore, the use of improving technologies impacts species richness and diversity differently according to the environment. PIR and SPS locations have naturally low-fertility soils (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, 2, and \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e) with severe limitations in P availability (Fig.\u0026nbsp;5a and 5e), low pH (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3a and 3e), and high Al saturation in the subsurface (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4f and 4j). Improvements in these soil chemical properties through liming and fertilization can maintain the level of richness and even increase species diversity in the long term (Fig.\u0026nbsp;6f). No dominance was observed through the Pielou index in any of the evaluated locations (Fig.\u0026nbsp;8).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eSoils in tropical and subtropical regions are naturally characterized by chemical limitations related to soil acidity and low nutrient availability, which constrain plant growth (Fageria and Nascente 2014; FAO 2015). This condition is also typical of most natural grasslands of the Pampa biome. In this context, the present study, conducted across different locations, demonstrates that the adoption of improvement technologies, particularly liming and fertilization of N and P, promoted consistent enhancements in soil chemical conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, the effects of surface-applied lime and phosphate fertilizers were predominantly restricted to the uppermost soil layer (0\u0026ndash;5 cm). This vertical stratification of chemical improvements has been widely reported in previous studies (Rheinheimer et al. 2018; Alves et al. 2019; Miotto et al. 2019) and is mainly attributed to the short time elapsed since application, the low solubility of limestone, and the limited mobility of P in the soil profile. In addition, in PIR and SPS locations, the lime rates applied were lower than those recommended by regional guidelines to raise soil pH to 6.0 and neutralize exchangeable Al (CQFS-RS/SC 2016). Although the applied rate of 3.0 Mg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026ndash;1\u003c/sup\u003e was insufficient to fully reduce soil acidity, it was effective in increasing pH to approximately 5.5 in the 0\u0026ndash;5 cm layer and enhancing Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mg+K saturation, particularly in SPS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe incorporation of lime into deeper soil layers could potentially increase the depth of chemical correction, as commonly adopted in grain cropping systems and cultivated pastures (Auler et al. 2019). However, mechanical incorporation is incompatible with the conservation of natural grasslands, as it may disrupt soil structure and drastically alter botanical composition. Therefore, surface application remains the viable option in natural grasslands, despite its limited effect on subsurface layers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContrastingly, in LVS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 and LVS-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;14, soil pH values decreased relative to NG throughout the soil profile down to 40 cm. These environments did not receive liming but were subjected to continuous nitrogen fertilization, totaling 351 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026ndash;1\u003c/sup\u003e, which promoted progressive soil acidification. During urea nitrification, the release of H\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e ions contributes to acidification, particularly when nitrate is leached (Chien et al. 2008). Consequently, increasing N inputs via fertilization led to reductions in soil pH, Ca, and Mg, and to increases in exchangeable Al (Schroder et al. 2011), reinforcing the importance of balanced fertilization strategies in natural grasslands.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the limited vertical extent of chemical improvements, enhanced forage production and increased soil carbon and nitrogen stocks were observed at several sites, especially in soils with low natural fertility (Flores et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025b\u003c/span\u003e). These responses indicate that even superficial improvements in soil fertility can substantially stimulate biomass production and organic matter inputs, highlighting the strategic role of these technologies in promoting carbon sequestration and improving ecosystem functioning in natural grasslands.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChanges in soil fertility were also reflected in botanical composition. In general, improved chemical conditions favored native or exotic forage species that are more responsive to fertilization, increasing their contribution to forage mass. For instance, higher participation of \u003cem\u003eLotus subbiflorus\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eTrifolium repens\u003c/em\u003e was observed in DOP-NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4, while \u003cem\u003ePaspalum dilatatum\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAndropogon lateralis\u003c/em\u003e increased in sites with improvement technologies in DOP, SLV, and SPS locations. These patterns are likely associated with greater P availability and annual N inputs, as previously reported by Oliveira et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast to the findings of Gomes et al. (1998), who documented increased dominance of \u003cem\u003ePaspalum notatum\u003c/em\u003e in fertilized environments, our results based on the Pielou index did not indicate dominance. Diversity was not reduced in all environments, which may suggest a replacement of species by those better adapted to the new conditions created by improved management.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast, the establishment of ryegrass resulted in consistent reductions especially in the long term in species richness and diversity across sites, mainly due to shading and competitive effects on native species, as also reported by Bandinelli et al. (2005). This negative influence during the spring\u0026ndash;summer period emphasizes the importance of adequate grazing management, particularly maintaining appropriate sward height to minimize competitive exclusion and preserve botanical diversity. PIR and SPS have naturally low-fertility soils with severe limitations in P availability, low pH, and high Al saturation in the subsurface. Improvements in these soil chemical properties through liming and fertilization can maintain the level of richness and even increase species diversity in the long term.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough improvement technologies enhanced soil fertility and supported higher forage productivity and carrying capacity (Flores et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025a\u003c/span\u003e), the predominance of surface applications intensified nutrient stratification in the soil profile. This vertical gradient may restrict root exploration and nutrient uptake in deeper layers, potentially limiting long-term system resilience. Furthermore, long-term intensification may lead to shifts in species composition and reductions in biodiversity, as also reported by Bardgett et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and Jaurena et al. (2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore, the adoption of improvement technologies in natural grasslands of the Pampa biome should be guided by principles of cautious and spatially targeted intensification. When integrated into diversified production systems and combined with appropriate grazing management, these practices can enhance forage supply, carbon sequestration, and economic viability without compromising ecosystem persistence. Although localized reductions in species richness may occur, such strategies contribute to maintaining livestock production based on natural grasslands at a competitive level relative to annual crops and cultivated pastures, thereby supporting the long-term conservation of the Pampa biome.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn longer periods, the improvement technologies may result in losses in species richness and diversity because of competition with overseeding ryegrass and because it benefits native species that are more responsive to fertilization.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrioritizing soils with lower chemical fertility within a production system is crucial for the successful implementation of natural grassland improvement technologies. It is strongly recommended to integrate overseeding with exotic cool-season species with meticulous soil pH correction and fertility enhancements to maximize the positive outcomes in both forage and animal production. These findings underscore the potential of strategic improvement technologies in shaping sustainable and productive natural grassland ecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough the use of improvement technologies in livestock farming based on natural grasslands can be raised to a competitive level like annual crops and cultivated pastures and ensures the persistence of natural grasslands in the Pampa biome. The improvement technologies can reduce the richness and diversity of native species in the Pampa biome. It is crucial to emphasize that the outlined improvement technologies for natural grasslands should be seamlessly integrated into the design of livestock farms, with a focus on diversifying forage supply and cautiously intensifying specific production processes, guided by technical expertise.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMany knowledge gaps regarding the impact of fertilization and overseeding on natural grasslands still need to be analyzed. The specific effect of each of the practices on the botanical composition of the grassland, rate-response curves for liming and fertilizers, as well as the effect of irrigation on natural pastures, are examples of factors that have yet to be explored.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eALVARES et al 2013 K\u0026ouml;ppen\u0026rsquo;s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorol Z 22:711\u0026ndash;728. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBAI Y, COTRUFO, MF (2022) Grassland soil carbon sequestration: Current understanding, challenges, and solutions. Science 377(6606):603\u0026ndash;608. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo2380\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1126/science.abo2380\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBARDGETT et al (2021) Combatting global grassland degradation. Nat Rev. 16 p\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBARTHRAM GT (1985) Experimental techniques: the HFRO sward stick. P. 29\u0026ndash;30\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBONDARUK V, LEZAMA F, PINTO A, PI\u0026Ntilde;ERO G (2020) Overseeding legumes in natural grasslands: Impacts on root biomass and soil organic matter of commercial farms. Sci Total Environ 743:140771\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCAR\u0026Aacute;MBULA M, CARRIQUIRY E, AYALA W (1994) Cultivos Mejoramiento a campo con Lotus subbiflorus cv. El Rinc\u0026oacute;n. Bolet\u0026iacute;n de divulgaci\u0026oacute;n N\u0026deg; 44. INIA-T y Tres (21 pp.)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCONANT R, CERRI CEP, OSBORNE BB, PAUSTIAN K (2017) Grassland management impacts on soil carbon stocks: a new synthesis. Ecol Appl 27:662\u0026ndash;668\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCONANT RT, PAUSTIAN K, ELLIOTT, E.T (2001) Grassland management and conversion into grassland: effects on soil carbon. Ecol Appl 11:343\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCORDOVA UA (2021) Estado da Arte do Melhoramento de Campo Nativo em Santa Catarina. Agropecu\u0026aacute;ria Catarinense, Florian\u0026oacute;polis\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDA SILVA F, NUNES P A. A. BREDEMEIERC, CADENAZZI M., AMARAL L. P., PFEIFER F. M., ANGHINONI I., CARVALHO P. C. F (2020) Spatiotemporal Distribution of Cattle Dung Patches in a Subtropical Soybean-Beef System under Different Grazing Intensities in Winter. Agronomy 10:1423\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDEXTER AR et al (2008) Complexed organic matter controls soil physical properties. Geoderma 144:620\u0026ndash;627\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eELLERT \u0026amp; BETTANYl (1995) Calculation of organic matter and nutrients stored in soils under contrasting management regimes. Can J Soil Sci Ott v 75(4):529\u0026ndash;538\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFERREIRA et al (2011) Termina\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o de novilhos de corte Angus e mesti\u0026ccedil;os em pastagem natural na regi\u0026atilde;o da Campanha do RS. R Bras Zootec 40(9):2048\u0026ndash;2057\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFERREIRA ET, NABINGER C, ELEJALDE DAG, FREITAS AK, CARASSAI IJ, SCHMITT F (2011) Fertilization and oversowing on natural grassland: effects on pasture characteristics and yearling steers performance. R Bras Zootec 40(9):2039\u0026ndash;2047\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFLORES et al (2025a) Enhancing Campos grassland productivity by improving soil fertility and overseeding: A meta-analysis. Geoderma Reg 43:e01014. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01014\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01014\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFLORES et al (2025b) Carbon storage in the Pampa biome: Increasing productivity and conservation of natural grasslands in southern Brazil with improvement technologies. J Environ Qual 54(6):1416\u0026ndash;1431. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70091\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1002/jeq2.70091\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGARAGORRY FC, QUADROS FLF, TRAVI MRL, BANDINELLI DG, J\u0026Uacute;NIOR JAF, MARTINS, CEN (2008) Produ\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o animal em pastagem natural e pastagem sobre-semeada com esp\u0026eacute;cies de esta\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o fria com e sem o uso de glyphosate. Acta Sci Anim Sci Maring\u0026aacute; v 30(2):127\u0026ndash;134\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGATIBONI et al (2008) Efeito da aduba\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o fosfatada e da calagem sobre a qualidade bromatol\u0026oacute;gica da forragem de pastagem natural com introdu\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o de esp\u0026eacute;cies forrageiras de inverno. R. Bras. Agroci\u0026ecirc;ncia. Pelotas, v.14, n.3\u0026ndash;4, p.125\u0026ndash;134\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBras\u0026iacute;lia et al (2000) v.35, n.8, pp. 1663\u0026ndash;1668, ago\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHASENACK H, BOLDRINI WEBEREJ, I. I. TREVISAN, R., FLORES, C. A., DEWES H (2023) Biophysical delineation of grassland ecological systems in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Iheringia S\u0026eacute;rie Bot\u0026acirc;nica, \u003cem\u003e78\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHAYDOCK KP, SHAW NH (1975) The comparative yield method for estimating dry matter yield of pasture. Australian J Experimental Agric Anim Husb Melbourne v 15:663\u0026ndash;670\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHOVENDEN MJ, NEWTON, P. C., WILLS KE (2014) Seasonal not annual rainfall determines grassland biomass response to carbon dioxide. Nature 511(7511):583\u0026ndash;586. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1038/nature13281\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1038/nature13281\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJACOBO et al (2024) Adaptive grazing of native grasslands provides ecosystem services and reduces economic instability for livestock systems in the flooding Pampa, Argentina. Sustainability-Basel 16(10):4229. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3390/su16104229\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3390/su16104229\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJAURENA M, LEZAMA F, CARDOZO SALVOL, AYALA G, NABINGER WTERRAJ, C (2016) The dilemma of improving native grasslands by overseeding legumes: production inten- sification or diversity conservation. Rangel Ecol Manag https://doi.org/10.1016/j. rama.2015.10.006\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlingman DL, Miles SR, Mott GO (1943) The cage method for determining consumption and yield of pasture herbage. J Am Soc Agron 35:739e746\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKUZYAKOV Y (2010) Priming effects: Interactions between living and dead organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 42:1363\u0026ndash;1371\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLavorel S, McIntyre S, Landsberg J, Forbes TDA (1997) Plant functional classifications: from general groups to specific groups based on response to\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003edisturbance Trends Ecol Evol 12, 474\u0026ndash;478. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(97)01219-6\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/S0169-5347(97)01219-6\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLODGE GM, KING KL, HARDEN S (2006) Effects of pasture treatments on detached pasture litter mass, quality, litter loss, decomposition rates, and residence time in northern New South Wales. Aust J Agric Res 57:1073\u0026ndash;1085\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMORAES A, MOOJEN EL, MARASCHIN GE (1990) Compara\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o de m\u0026eacute;todos de estimativa de taxa de crescimento em uma pastagem submetida a diferentes press\u0026otilde;es de pastejo. REUNI\u0026Atilde;O ANUAL DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE ZOOTECNIA, 27., 1990, Campinas. Funda\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o de Estudos Agr\u0026aacute;rios Luiz de Queiroz, Anais\u0026hellip; Piracicaba, p 332\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMOREIRA FMS, SIQUEIRA JO (2006) Microbiologia e Bioqu\u0026iacute;mica do Solo. Editora da UFLA, Lavras, pp 338\u0026ndash;367\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNABINGER C, DALL ́AGNOL M (2019) Guia para reconhecimento de esp\u0026eacute;cies dos campos sulinos. Ibama, Bras\u0026iacute;lia, p 132\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNABINGER C et al (2009) Produ\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o animal com base no campo nativo: aplica\u0026ccedil;\u0026otilde;es de resultados de pesquisa. Campos Sulinos: conserva\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o e uso sustent\u0026aacute;vel da biodiversidade. Minist\u0026eacute;rio do Meio Ambiente, Bras\u0026iacute;lia, pp 175\u0026ndash;198\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOLIVEIRA LB, SOARES EM, JOCHIMS F, TIECHER T, MARQUES AR, KUINCHTNER BC, RHEINHEIMER DS, QUADROS FLF (2015) Long-term effects of phosphorus on dynamics of an overseeded natural grassland in Brazil. Rangel Ecol Manag 68:445\u0026ndash;452\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOLIVEIRA LB, TIECHER T, MARQUES ACR, SOMAVILLA, A RUTHES BES; CRESTANI C, KASCHUCK, G; RHEINHEIMER QUAADRAS, FLF (2022) Phosphate sources affect P and N nutrition in pluri-specific natural grasslands in the Brazilian Pampa biome. Rev Bras Ci\u0026ecirc;nc Solo 46:e0210145\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePALLARES OR, ARRETA EJ, MARASCHIN GE (2005) The South American Campos ecosystem. In: Suttie, J.M., Reynolds, S.G., Batello, C. (Eds.), Grasslands of the world (Plant production and protection Series No. 34), pp. 171\u0026ndash;219\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePILLAR VD, WINCK, B. R (2026) Natural grasslands used for grazing livestock can mitigate climate change. Science 391(6781):eaea8344. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1126/science.aea8344\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1126/science.aea8344\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePI\u0026Ntilde;EIRO G, PARUELO JM, JOBB\u0026Aacute;GY EG, JACKSON RB, OESTERHELD M (2009) Grazing effects on belowground C and N stocks along a network of cattle exclosures in temperate and subtropical grasslands of South America. Glob. Biogeochem. Cycles\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePI\u0026Ntilde;EIRO G, PARUELO JM, OESTERHELD M, JOBB\u0026Aacute;GY, E.G (2010) Pathways of grazing effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Rangel. Ecol. Manag\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePOEPLAU C, ZOPF D, GREINER B, GEERTS R, KORVAAR H, DON THUMMU, HEIDKAMP A, FLESSA A, H (2018) Why does mineral fertilization increase soil carbon stocks in temper- ate grasslands? Agric. Ecosyst Environ 265:144\u0026ndash;155\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePROUT JM, SHEPHERD KD, MCGRATH SP, KIRK GJD, HASSALL KL, HAEFELE SM (2022) Changes in organic carbon to clay ratios in different soils and land uses in England and Wales over time. Sci Rep 12:5162\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRIZO LM, MOOJEN EL, QUADROS FLF, CORREA FL, J\u0026Uacute;NIOR JAF (2004) Performance of native pasture and pasture sodseeded with winter species with or without glyphosate. Ci\u0026ecirc;ncia Rural, v.34, n.6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eROSA AAG, VAZ RZ, LOBATO JFP (2012) Natural and improved pastures on growth and reproductive performance ofHereford heifers. R Bras Zootec 41(1):203\u0026ndash;211\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShimizu GD et al (2025) AgroR: An R Package and a Shiny Interface for Agricultural Experiment Analysis. Acta Scientiarum Agronomy, vol. 47, no. 1, 26 Mar. pp. e73889\u0026ndash;e73889\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSALVO L, AYALA TERRAJ, CORREA WBERM\u0026Uacute;DEZR, AVILA J, HERN\u0026Aacute;NDEZ P (2008) J. Impacts of long-term phosphorous fertilization and addition of perennial legumes on a tem- perate natural grassland: II. Total and particulate soil organic carbon. Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World. Volume II. Edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference, p. 382\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouza et al (2020) \u0026ndash; Reconstructing Three Decades of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Brazilian Biomes with Landsat Archive and Earth Engine \u0026ndash; Remote Sensing, Volume 12, Issue 17. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.3390/rs12172735\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3390/rs12172735\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTothill JC, Hargreaves JNG, Jones RM, McDonald CK 1992. BOTANAL - A comprehensive sampling and computing procedure for estimating pasture yield and composition. 1. Field Sampling. Ed. Revised. Brisbane\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVELOSO et al (2018) High carbon storage in a previously degraded subtropical soil under no-tillage with legume cover crops. Agric Ecosyst Environ 268:15\u0026ndash;23. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.08.024\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.agee.2018.08.024\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVIANA et al (2021) Sustainability of livestock systems in the Pampa Biome of Brazil: an analysis highlighting the rangeland dilemma. Sustainability-Basel 13(24):13781. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3390/su132413781\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3390/su132413781\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVI\u0026Eacute;GAS et al (2017) Fertilization response and nitrogen nutrition diagnosis of a natural grassland in Southern Brazil. Acta Iguazu, Cascavel, v.6, n.2, p. 25\u0026ndash;36\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWILM et al (1944) Estimating forage yield by the double sampling methods. J. Am Soc. Agron., Geneva, n.36, pp. 194\u0026ndash;203\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZHANG Y, LU SUNJ, SHU Y, Z (2025) Grassland changes and the role of elevation: A global perspective. Glob Ecol Conserv 57:e03391. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03391\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03391\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"plant-and-soil","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"plso","sideBox":"Learn more about [Plant and Soil](https://www.springer.com/journal/11104)","snPcode":"11104","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11104/3","title":"Plant and Soil","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Beef cattle system ⋅ Native grassland ⋅ Overseeding ⋅ Liming ⋅ Pampa biome ⋅ Phosphorus Liming ⋅ Potassium","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground and Aims\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePasture improvement practices such as liming, fertilization, and overseeding with exotic cool-season species have been adopted to increase forage production and reduce land conversion to agriculture; however, their long-term effects on soil chemical properties and plant community structure remain insufficiently understood across contrasting environments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study evaluated unimproved natural grassland (NG) and improved natural grassland (NG\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;X, where X represents years under improvement) across five physiographic regions in southern Brazil. Improvements consisted of surface liming, annual fertilization with N, P, and K, and overseeding with ryegrass and legumes. Soil samples were collected at four depths (0\u0026ndash;5, 5\u0026ndash;10, 10\u0026ndash;20, and 20\u0026ndash;40 cm) to assess pH, exchangeable cations, Al saturation, and available P and K. Botanical composition, species richness, diversity indices, and forage production were also quantified.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eImprovement technologies generally increased soil fertility, especially by raising pH and increasing available P and K, although effects were largely restricted to the surface layer due to limited mobility of lime and P. In contrast, long-term nitrogen fertilization without liming promoted soil acidification in some environments. Pasture improvement altered plant community composition, favoring fertilization-responsive forage species but, in some locations, reducing species richness and diversity, particularly under long-term ryegrass establishment. Responses varied among sites and were strongly influenced by initial soil fertility.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, targeted pasture improvement in low-fertility soils can enhance forage production and ecosystem services, but strategies must be carefully managed to avoid long-term biodiversity losses and excessive nutrient stratification.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"“Improvement Technologies” in Campos Grasslands: Effects on Soil Chemistry and Botanical Composition and Implications for Ecosystem Persistence","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-17 15:48:37","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9281635/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major revisions","date":"2026-04-28T03:19:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2026-04-10T08:48:33+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-10T08:29:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Plant and Soil","date":"2026-04-02T21:12:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-02T05:10:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Plant and Soil","date":"2026-03-31T10:55:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"plant-and-soil","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"plso","sideBox":"Learn more about [Plant and Soil](https://www.springer.com/journal/11104)","snPcode":"11104","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11104/3","title":"Plant and Soil","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5e9b4363-9de5-4fde-ba81-e153a17b813c","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 17th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-28T07:28:07+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-17 15:48:37","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9281635","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9281635","identity":"rs-9281635","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}