ABSTRACT
Cerrados means “dense or closed” in Portuguese language. The Cerrados region in East-Central part of Brazil is a large expanse of Savannahs supporting natural grasses and shrubs. Cerrados are most pronounced in the states of Goias and Minas Garias of Brazil. The savannahs have developed on weathered acidic Oxisols of low to moderate fertility in terms of nutrients. Cerrados extends into 204 million hectare of land. It is equivalent to 24 percent of total land area of Brazil. Incidentally, the Brazilian Cerrados accounts for 15 percent of total savannahs that occur on the earth (Trigo et al., 2009; Figure 2.1). According to estimates by FAO (2008), total area of Cerrados biome is 204 m ha, out of which 127 m ha is utilized for agricultural crop production. Within the agricultural area, pastures extend into 35 m ha, annual field crops into 10 m ha and perennial crops, plantations, and forestry together constitute 2 m ha. About 80 m ha is still free to be developed for crop production. The total grain production potential of Cerrados is currently 240 m t and fruits harvested annually is about 90 m t. Agricultural prowess of Cerrados got expressed in a big way since 1970s, with the advent of mechanized farming, fertilizer technology, and soil amendments to correct soil pH and Al/Mn toxicity. At present, 45-50 percent of Cerrados is engulfed by crop production enterprises. Soil productivity has been improved enormously since past five decades. Cerrados contribute 59 percent of coffee, 54 percent of soybean, 28 percent of maize, and 18 percent of rice generated in entire Brazil (Yaganiantz et al., 2009).
