Abstract
The study of the soil characterization and the relation of its attributes allows a systematic proposal of the local particularities, leading to adequate practices for maintenance and/or preservation of its productive capacity. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of structural attributes in association with physical and chemical soil classes, using the multivariate statistical techniques to differentiate environments. The research was carried out in the Moacir Lucena Project, located in the municipality of Apodi, RN, Brazil. Three representative environments were chosen as follows: Profile 1 (P1)-Red-yellow Latosol-Area in recovery (1AR), P2-Haplic Cambisol-Lake Area, (2AL) and P3-Eutrophic Yellow Latosol-Cashew Tree Area (3AC). The soil samples were collected in the horizons of the studied areas. Ten (10) samples were collected per horizons in volumetric rings and in soil blocks (aggregate analysis), which resulted in triplicates in the laboratory. Structural, physical and chemical attributes were evaluated. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques, with correlation matrix, clustering analysis and factorial analysis performed by the extraction of the factors into principal components. The use of clustering analysis allowed the formation of four groups for soil classes and attributes; the inorganic fractions were determinant for environmental differentiation, where the sand was discriminant for the Red-yellow Latosol and the Eutrophic Yellow Latosol, and the clay and silt for the Haplic Cambisol. Higher similarity was observed in the transition horizons of the Latosols Class. The physical and structural attributes were determinant in the dissimilarity for the Haplic Cambisol, reflecting in physical restrictions to the plant growth. The factor analysis revealed that the variables particle density (Dp), Ca2+, Mg2+, sum of bases (SB) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) for factor 1, followed by pH, P, K+, total Sand, Clay and soil density (Ds) for factor 2 are important soil attributes to distinguish the studied environments.
Highlights
The activity of irrigated fruit growing became one of the prominent segments in the semiarid areas of the West of the Rio Grande Norte State, Brazil, in order to meet the demand for fruit exports to international markets and the increasing incorporation of new areas
It is important to take into consideration that the anthropic action in these environments by irrigated agriculture has led to soil degradation, reflecting in the reduction of productive capacity, since it is being used improperly and without observing the basic principles of soil conservation, not jas.ccsenet.org Journal of Agricultural Science
The 1 (P1)-Red-yellow Latosol-Area in recovery (1AR) refers to an area without planting, within the limits of the Permanent Preservation Area (APP) with approximately 2.5 hectares, where the settlers planted cotton, but has been in rest for 16 years to recover the native forest and soil
Summary
The Brazilian semiarid region presents variability in terms of lithology, climatic pattern, landscape and vegetation, resulting in peculiar characteristics of soil attributes (morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical), and its structural properties, being considered as one of the most important characteristic from the agricultural point of view, by indirectly influencing plant growth factors, since it controls air changes, water and heat, nutrient availability, and mechanical resistance to root development (Carvalho et al, 2017).Since the soil structure is a dynamic and functional property, modified by anthropic action, its study is necessary as an aid to decision making, regarding the soil management practices and the choice of the agricultural crops, taking into consideration their potentialities and/or restrictions.The activity of irrigated fruit growing became one of the prominent segments in the semiarid areas of the West of the Rio Grande Norte State, Brazil, in order to meet the demand for fruit exports to international markets and the increasing incorporation of new areas. Since the soil structure is a dynamic and functional property, modified by anthropic action, its study is necessary as an aid to decision making, regarding the soil management practices and the choice of the agricultural crops, taking into consideration their potentialities and/or restrictions. It is important to take into consideration that the anthropic action in these environments by irrigated agriculture has led to soil degradation, reflecting in the reduction of productive capacity, since it is being used improperly and without observing the basic principles of soil conservation, not jas.ccsenet.org. Studies of the characterization of the structural attributes associated with physical and chemical resources are scarce in the region In this perspective, it is necessary to study the environment characteristics, the use of soil attributes and their relations, with the aid of multivariate techniques as an efficient tool in distinguishing the most sensitive attributes
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