Influence of Climate Variability and Soil Fertility on the Forage Quality and Productivity in Azorean Pastures

This work aimed to determine and compare the effect of elevation season on productivity nutritive value pastures in Azores (Terceira Island). Forage was collected analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid (ADF), lignin (ADL), ether extract (EE), mineral ash (Ash), digestibility (DMD) organic (OMD). The net (NP) higher low pasture A (1.80 g m?2), lower B (0.98 m?2) peaked winter both (3.57 (2.33 during summer high C (2.15 m?2). soil chemical proprieties varied significantly among three pastures. highest pH, available P, K, Ca Mg were recorded A. Positive correlations observed between all parameters NP, except OM content. DM, PB EE changed with elevation, while (except CP, Ash) increased along growth season. Environmental factors influenced productivity, suggesting that climate change might have significant impacts forage production quality.