Abstract
ABSTRACT Many Amazonian farmers use the slash-and-burn method rather than fertilization for crop production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the morphological, physical, and chemical properties of naturally fertile Inceptisols after conversion from native forest to different uses in southern Amazonia, Brazil. Land covered by dense native forest (NF) was split into four areas of 1.0 ha each. Three areas were slashed and burned and then cultivated for 11 years with coffee (CO), secondary forest [...]
Highlights
Several studies have been conducted in various biomes around the world to evaluate the effects of deforestation, afforestation, and agriculture on soil physical and chemical properties (Marques et al, 2010; Braz et al, 2013; Paix et al, 2013; Belay et al, 2015)
Results showed that morphology and physical properties were negatively affected after the establishment of PA and CO: a reduction in the thickness of the A horizon and in aggregate stability, a decrease in total porosity and macroporosity, and an increase in aggregate size and bulk density
Significant differences between native forest and secondary forest were mainly found in the top soil layer for total porosity (STP) (NF>SF), macroporosity (SMa) (NF>SF), soil bulk density (SBD) (NF>SF) and geometric mean diameter of water-stable aggregates (GMD) (SF>NF)
Summary
Several studies have been conducted in various biomes around the world to evaluate the effects of deforestation, afforestation, and agriculture on soil physical and chemical properties (Marques et al, 2010; Braz et al, 2013; Paix et al, 2013; Belay et al, 2015). Farmers intercrop annual agricultural species and secondary forest after slashing and burning forested areas. Such practice is based on indigenous agricultural system, which is characterized by long fallow periods after a short cultivation period of 1-3 years (Davidson et al, 2008; Comte et al, 2012; Reichert et al, 2016). Some physical effects can be highlighted: reduction in soil water infiltration rate after conversion of forest into pasture and into annual crops in Mato Grosso, Brazil (Scheffler et al, 2011); and increase in surface soil bulk density (SBD) of an Oxisol after conversion of forest into pasture in the Amazon region (Braz et al, 2013). Soil tillage after the slash-and-burn practice, as well as stump removal and plowing, can reduce compaction of upper soil layers and improve soil physical properties, but the effects are usually short term (Reichert et al, 2014), since soil reconsolidates quickly with the lack of or reduced effect of organic matter on soil structure and system equilibrium
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