Crop-livestock integration can affect soil physical properties, altering the yield and plant composition during the various no-tillage crop cycles. The objective of this study was to select the soil properties with the clearest relationship with yield and crude protein content of Brachiaria brizantha. Linear and spatial correlations were analyzed between dry matter yield and crude protein of Brachiaria brizantha and of some physical properties of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol), in three layers (0-0.10; 0.10-0.20; 0.20-0.30 m). A geostatistical grid was installed for data collection, containing 124 points in an area of 4,000 m² (20 º 18 ' 05 '' S - 20 º 18 ' 28 '' S and 52 º 39 ' 02 '' W - 52 º 40 ' 28 '' W). No random variation was observed for the yield and crude protein content of Brachiaria brizantha, but well-defined spatial standards with spherical semivariograms reaching a spatial dependence of approximately 40-50 m. The increase of mechanical penetration resistance and of soil moisture in the surface layer of soil under Brachiaria brizantha resulted in lower crude protein content and dry matter. Total porosity in the 0.20-0.30 m layer is an important indicator of the soil physical quality and proved reliable for estimations of the dry matter yield of Brachiaria brizantha.
soil penetration resistance; soil management; soil density; soil porosity
