Improvement of naturalized pastures in Alto Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina

The naturalized pastures represent a significant area on farms located in Alto Vale do Itajaí Region,
but the quantity and the quality of produced forages are low. Additionally, output is concentrated on spring-summer period. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of liming, fertilization associated with forage species sod-seeded on production, botanical composition and quality of naturalized pasture. An observation unit was carried out in a region's
representative farm, located in the municipality of Dona Emma, SC. Two treatments were evaluated: T1 – naturalized pasture and T2 – naturalized pasture limed and fertilized. There was an increase on forage production and in the quality and a higher participation of some forage species sod-seeded, associated with liming and fertilization practices.