Soil samples were taken, in 1998, from distinct layers (0-2.5; 2.5-5.0; 5-10 and 10-30cm) in fields with native pasture under grazing, submitted to burning and alternative management practices (without burning with or without mowing, and improved for 7 and 24 years), in the Campos de Cima da Serra region, RS, Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized, with three replications. The improvement of native pasture increased the value of pH and the levels Ca, Mg, P and base saturation, and reduced the potential acidity. Biennial burning increased the potential acidity and reduced Mg. The mowing treatment increased the level of Mg and base saturation, and decreased the potencial acidity in the soil surface in comparison to the system without burning and without mowing. Systems without burning were more efficient in water conservation and soil cover.
soil fertilizing; management; burning; improvement pasture
