Abstract
Root system growth and soil structure are interdependent and the threshold of separation between both of them is complex. However, by the evaluation of soil pore space, it is possible to characterize the root system growth environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of conservation management system over time on pore distribution and on root system development of coffee plantation in Cerrado Oxisol, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two coffee plantation areas were sampled (3 or 6 years old). Trenches were dug lengthwise along the planting row to expose the root system and the vertical profiles were divided into 0.05 × 0.05 m grid cells (0.70 × 1.50 m grid), totaling 420 sample sites. Digital images were taken and using the computer software Safira, it was measured layers along the soil profile, which was spaced 0.10 m apart. Disturbed and undisturbed soil cores the length, the surface area and the volume of the root system were sampled at 0.20 to 0.34, 0.80 to 0.94, and 1.50 to 1.64 m depths layers, in order to determine particle size, total porosity, and pore size distribution. The 3-years coffee stand had the greatest volume of macropores and the largest number of absorbent roots, besides a noticeable root system growth below 1 m depth. The 6-years old coffee stand presented pores reconfiguration due to increase in the intermediate-sized pores and to the uniform root distribution in both horizontal and vertical directions up to 0.9 m depth. Key words: Gibbsitic Oxisol, pore system, 2D images, geostatistics, root system distribution.
Highlights
Soil pore space results from mineral particles organization into water-stable aggregates
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of conservation management system over time on pore distribution and on root system development of coffee plantation in Cerrado oxidic Latosols (Oxisols), located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
There are alterations in pore distribution and configuration, which interfere with root system distribution and plant growth (Carducci et al, 2013, 2014a, b, 2016; Silva et al, 2014)
Summary
Soil pore space results from mineral particles organization into water-stable aggregates. 157 127 89 agricultural gypsum associated with soil organic matter, which influences the formation of organo-mineral complexes, especially calcium and organic radicals derived from the decomposition of plant residues (Silva et al, 2013, 2014) Based on this premise, some coffee growers in Minas Gerais have adopted a soil management system which consists of periodically mowed grass cultivation (Brachiaria decumbens) between planting rows as a permanent source of organic matter, associated with the building of fertility in deep soil layers, which is possible due to the adoption of a deep, fertilized planting furrow and to the gypsum application on soil surface. This management improves physical and chemical soil conditions, as well as increases root system depth (van Raij, 2008; Serafim et al, 2013a, b, c; Silva, 2012; Carducci et al, 2014b; Silva et al, 2014)
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