Análise conjunta de atributos físicos e biológicos do solo sob sistema plantio direto no Cerrado

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the no - tillage system (NTS), established eight years ago in the Cerrado, on the morphological, physical and biological attributes of the soil. The experiment was carried out in a typical dystroferric Red Latosol. The following systems were evaluated: monoculture with conventional soil preparation system, NTS with different crop rotations (soybean / turnip, soybean / wheat and corn / oats) and native vegetation. In each system, a trench was opened in order to detect the morphological changes caused by the different operations using the cultural profile method. Soil macroinvertebrates were evaluated according to the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility method. Also, undisturbed soil samples were used to evaluate soil physical attributes. The best soil morphological conditions were verified in the more superficial layers of the NTS, with abundant presence of biopores and galleries throughout the profile. The richness of macroinvertebrates increases with the better physical structuring of the soil. On the other hand, higher soil density reduces the number of individuals and orders. Rotated NTS (soybean / turnip) favors biodiversity and ecological soil functions, and may be a promising strategy for sustainable production systems in the Cerrado region.