Effect of soil and weather characteristics on the nutritional quality of Brazilian grass (Phalaris sp.) in the highlands of Nariño

Abstract

The study sought to identify the soil and climatic components of greater impact on the production and nutritional quality of Brazilian grass (Phalaris sp.) in three altitudinal ranges of not intervened soil in the highlands of the Andes in Nariño, Colombia. In three locations of each area, grass and soil samples were collected to determine bromatological and soil variables through their chemical, physical and biological components; additionally, some relevant climatic factors were determined in each ecotope. The information obtained was classified into quantitative and qualitative values; the first were processed by principal component analysis (PCA), while the qualitative values, through the analysis of measures of central tendency and multiple correspondence analysis. The results revealed that pH values between 5.3 and 7, organic matter from 12 to 9%, suitable penetration (1.1 MPa) and infiltration (9.86 cm/h) and high diversity of fauna on the ground are the crucial factors for biomass production and the quality of Brazilian pasture.