EVALUATION OF SOIL MANAGEMENT AND USE IN AN ULTISOL IN A GUAVA ORCHARD IN COMPARISON WITH A SUGARCANE FIELD AND NATIVE FOREST AREA

Abstract

Studies to find out alternative inputs are important for sustainable agriculture. In this respect, the use of byproducts from guava processing can partially replace the requirements of mineral fertilizer and add organic matter to the soil, increased water retention capacity and mitigating the effects of traffic on the soil. The aim of the present study was to assess the physical aspects of the soil in function of fertilization of guava trees with organic and mineral fertilizers and to compare the results with those found in areas of sugarcane and native forest. The soil samples were obtained from a commercial guava orchard planted with the ‘Paluma’ (8 years) and ‘Pedro Sato’ (5 years) cultivars, vegetatively propagated, as well as from a cane field (5 years) and native forest for comparison. The results revealed that the soil moisture, density and penetration resistance varied between the different uses and fertilization regimes. The volumetric moisture and density in the areas cultivated with ‘Paluma’ guava trees were similar to those of the native forest. The soil moisture was greater in the rows of the guava trees and the density and penetration resistance were greater in the traffic paths.