Rates of seed germination, plant survival and growth, as measured in the present study, are essential
parameters to characterize the biological potential of species for the restoration of degraded areas. The lack
of knowledge about these aspects in native species has justified the use of exotic plants in Brazilian gullies
revegetation. However, especially in places subject to highly seasonal climate and on oligotrophic soils,
exotic species do not always perform well, leading to revegetation failure or significantly increasing the
cultivation care needs. To improve the knowledge concerning to the biological potencial of cerrado native
species and of an exotic grass which has been used for erosion contention, in the present study, seedlings and
clumps of native cerrado species,
Cratylia argentea
(Desv.) Kuntze and
Echinolaena inflexa
(Poir.) Chase,
and of the exotic grass
Vetiveria zizanioides
(L.) Nash, were transferred to a gully colluvium in Ouro Preto,
Minas Gerais state, where they remained during the dry season of 2010 without application of fertilizers
or irrigation. In randomized block design, plots of 1 x 1 m received four planting treatments: clumps of
Echinolaena inflexa or
Vetiveria zizanioides, and clumps of these grasses intercropped with the legume
Cratylia argentea. All grasses and 73% of the legume seedlings survived. As expected, the green cover of
Echinolaena inflexa decreased throughout the dry season, however, showing regrowth after the first rains.
Leaf area of
Vetiveria zizanioides remained active and grew significantly in the period.
Cratylia argentea
showed high rates of germination and growth; however, nodulation occurred in only two individuals. Thus,
there was no influence of the legume on grasses growth. Results indicate that both native species and the
exotic grass tested are potential successful plants for gullies replanting. Plants survived and grew on low
nutrient substrate and during the critical period of drought without any fertilizer or irrigation application.