Can Soil pH Correction Reduce the Animal Supplementation Needs in the Critical Autumn Period in Mediterranean Montado Ecosystem?

Extensive livestock production in Mediterranean climate conditions and acidic soils requires animal feed supplementation. This occurs during the summer and, frequently, also autumn winter, depending on prevailing rainfall patterns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect dolomitic limestone application tree canopy availability, quality, floristic composition a permanent pasture, grazed by sheep. At end autumn, spring 2018/2019 2019/2020 pasture green dry matter (GM DM, respectively), crude protein (CP), fiber (neutral detergent fiber) were monitored 24 sampling points. Half these points located areas amended with (COR) half unamended (UCOR). In each these, under (UTC) outside (OTC). Pasture 2020. results show, positive significant (i) soil pH amendment DM CP daily growth rate (kg·ha−1·day−1) (+28.8% +42.6%, (ii) (+26.4%). Both factors affect composition. species identified as potential bio-indicators, characteristic field area. These show practical interest correction reduce supplementation needs critical period montado ecosystem.