Ferralsol Porosity and Density After Mechanical Scarification and Crop Rotation Systems

Monica C Sustakowski,Willian Dos Reis,Maria Do C Lana,Rayssa H Da Silva,Edleusa P Seidel,Juliano Zimmermann,Renata F Barabasz

doi:10.5539/jas.v12n10p316

Monica C Sustakowski, Willian Dos Reis + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v12n10p316

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Abstract

With intensive cultivation and the lack of crop rotation, the no-tillage system has been showing compacted areas. For its reduction, mechanical scarification and crop rotation has been recommended. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate in a no-tillage system the effect of mechanical scarification and crop rotation systems on soil porosity and density after 18 months. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a split-plot scheme, with four replications. The main plots consisted of maintaining the no-tillage system and minimal soil preparation with a chisel, carried out before the cultivation of cover plants. The subplots were composed of different plant species grown in winter: wheat, consortium of forage pea + black oat and consortium of black oat + forage turnip. Both were succeeded by cultivation of soy and lupin. Macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and bulk density were evaluated. After 18 months, the scarified soil showed a higher bulk density (0.10-0.15 m layer) when compared to the no-tillage system, demonstrating that this isolated decompression alternative does not improve the physical properties of the soil. The area in succession to oat + turnip/soybean/lupin showed lower bulk density.

Highlights

With the modernization of techniques used for the agriculture success, the no-tillage system has become an important instrument for the improvement, maintenance and recovery of adequate physical characteristics and productive capacity of managed soils
The objective of this work was to evaluate in a no-tillage system the effect of mechanical scarification and crop rotation systems on soil porosity and density after 18 months
After 18 months of soil management with a mechanical chisel (April 2016) and maintenance of the no-tillage system, a significant isolated effect (p < 0.05) of these variables was observed for soil density at a depth of 0.10-0.15 m

Summary

Introduction

With the modernization of techniques used for the agriculture success, the no-tillage system has become an important instrument for the improvement, maintenance and recovery of adequate physical characteristics and productive capacity of managed soils.over the years of adoption of this system, there are still frustrations in agricultural crops, which, according to Drescher, Eltz, Denardin, and Faganello (2011), is due to several factors, among them: excessive traffic, as well as the lack of crop rotation with production of residues in quantity, quality and frequency lower than the soils biological demand.This tends to alter the original soil structure, by fractioning the aggregates into smaller units, resulting in the approximation between the particles and a reduction in the size of the pores (Drescher et al, 2011).there is a reduction in the macropores volume, responsible for the aeration and drainage of soil, while there is an increase in the micropores volume, responsible for water retention and soil density (Panachuki, Bertol, Alves Sobrinho, Oliveira, & Rodrigues, 2011). Over the years of adoption of this system, there are still frustrations in agricultural crops, which, according to Drescher, Eltz, Denardin, and Faganello (2011), is due to several factors, among them: excessive traffic, as well as the lack of crop rotation with production of residues in quantity, quality and frequency lower than the soils biological demand. This tends to alter the original soil structure, by fractioning the aggregates into smaller units, resulting in the approximation between the particles and a reduction in the size of the pores (Drescher et al, 2011). Compaction is considered one of the main problems of soil degradation and impairment of agricultural production, as it causes a reduction in the water availability to plants and excessive mechanical resistance of soil to penetration in conditions of water deficit, while causing deficiency of aeration of soil, changing the nutrients dynamic and causing physiological problems in plants when in rainy conditions or excessive irrigation (Klein, 2010)

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