Melhoria da agregação do solo através do sistema plantio direto

Abstract

The effects of no-tillage with and without crop rotation previously planned, conventional system including ploughing and disc harrowing on soil particles aggregation were evaluated and compared with native forest on an Red distroferric Oxisol with high clay content from western Parana State. Soils were sampled from all treatments, adequately stored and soil aggregation indices determined were: the mean weight diameter (MWD), the geometric mean diameter (GMD) and the aggregate stability index (AS %). Soil organic carbon was also determined for the different treatments. The results showed highest soil organic carbon and also higher AS %, MWD and GMD for native forest area compared to all other treatments. The no-tillage system, cover crops use and crop rotation contributed to increase soil organic carbon levels, and also AS %, MWD and GMD in both localities and in both soil depths (0,0 – 0,10m and 0,10 – 0,20m). The conventional system, where soil are periodically disturbed provoking soil particles dispersion and soil aggregates collapse, promoted decreasing soil organic carbon levels compared to all other treatments, and also presented lower values for AS %, MWD and GMD, as well lowest aggregates > 2,00mm.