Abstract
Weed management plays a key role in the minimization of soil physical degradation processes such as compaction and hydric erosion. Different weed control managements can induce distinct changes in soil structure. One important soil physical attribute used for the analysis of modifications in soil structure is the soil water retention curve (SWRC). The objective of this work was to verify the use of physico-hydrical attributes to understand the effect of weed control managements on soil structure. Two soil layers (0–0.05 and 0.10–0.15 m) and six weed control managements divided into two groups were analyzed: I. no soil disturbance and ground cover (no weed control, post-emergence herbicide, mechanical mower); and II. soil disturbance and no ground cover (hand-hoe weeding, rotary tiller, pre-emergence herbicide). An area of native forest was used as reference. The results showed that the volumetric water capacity derived from the SWRC can be an interesting tool to evaluate the impact of weed control managements on soil structure. Evaluations of the air-filled porosity variation for different pressure heads also presented interesting findings. Distinct results of the weed control managements were found for the different depths analyzed in relation to the forest.
Highlights
The most important research on weed control management in cash crops emphasizes the agronomic effects of the competition of these weeds for water and nutrients and their relationship with decreases in crop yield
In the upper surface layer (0–0.05 m), the weed control methods used in the areas between the coffee rows changed the soil water retention curve (SWRC) behavior in comparison to the reference samples (FRT) (Figure 1)
The soil under the native forest was characterized by a high number of transmission and fissure pores, which do not contribute to water retention
Summary
The most important research on weed control management in cash crops emphasizes the agronomic effects of the competition of these weeds for water and nutrients and their relationship with decreases in crop yield. Weed management plays a key role in minimizing soil. Weed control methods in coffee crop might improve soil organic matter quality and carbon stocks It is important to study the effects of different methods of weed control on soil structure, in both the row and interrow areas (Trintinalio, Tormena, Oliveira Júnior, Machado, & Constantin, 2005). Integrated management of weeds in coffee plantations is essential to achieve sustainable agricultural production systems. The objectives of integrated management are to reduce the losses caused by invasive plants, to control costs, energy, and other operations, to reduce cultivation, hydric erosion and accelerated wind, ensuring proper food production, to prevent damage by toxic plants and to maintain environmental quality by maximizing profit for the farmer (Victoria Filho, 2000)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
