Physical Properties of a Hapludox after Three Decades under Different Soil Management Systems

Franciani Rodrigues Da Silva,Sandra Mara Vieira Fontoura,Maria Izabel Warmling,André Da Costa,Jackson Adriano Albuquerque,Cimélio Bayer And

doi:10.1590/18069657rbcs20140331

Abstract

Changes in soil physical properties due to different management systems occur slowly, and long-term studies are needed to assess soil quality. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of soil management systems and liming methods on the physical properties of a Latossolo Bruno Aluminico tipico (Hapludox). A long-term experiment that began in 1978 with conventional and no-tillage systems was assessed. In addition, different liming methods (no lime, incorporated lime, and lime on the soil surface) have been applied since 1987 and were also evaluated in this study. Moreover, an area of native forest was evaluated and considered a reference for the natural condition of the soil. Soil physical properties were evaluated in layers to a depth of 1.00 m. Compared to native forest, the conventional tillage and no-tillage systems had higher soil bulk density, penetration resistance, and microporosity, and lower aggregate stability and macroporosity. Compared to the conventional tillage system, long-term no-tillage improved the structure of the Hapludox, as evidenced by increased microporosity and aggregate stability, especially in the soil surface layer. In no-tillage with lime applications sporadically incorporated, soil physical properties did not differ from no-tillage without lime and with lime applied on the soil surface, indicating that this practice maintains the physical quality of soil under no-tillage. Liming in a conventional tillage system improved soil aggregation and reduces penetration resistance in the soil layers near the soil surface. No-tillage was the main practice related to improvement of soil physical quality, and liming methods did not influence soil physical properties in this soil management system.

Highlights

The choice of a soil management system will influence soil quality, as well as the long term sustainability of the agricultural production system
In no-tillage with lime applications sporadically incorporated, soil physical properties did not differ from no-tillage without lime and with lime applied on the soil surface, indicating that this practice maintains the physical quality of soil under no-tillage
This occurs because soil management substantially alters the soil structure and the properties related to structure, such as aeration, water retention, and penetration resistance

Summary

Introduction

The choice of a soil management system will influence soil quality, as well as the long term sustainability of the agricultural production system This occurs because soil management substantially alters the soil structure and the properties related to structure, such as aeration, water retention, and penetration resistance. Conventional tillage system disrupts the soil and increases erosion (Bertol et al, 2004), and decreases soil aggregate stability (Marcolan et al, 2007) and water retention in the soil (Vieira and Klein, 2007) It can compact the soil in deeper layers, forming a “plow pan” a compacted area which occurs below the tilled soil layer (Reichert et al, 2007). Periodic soil turnover in this system incorporates lime and fertilizers (Ciotta et al, 2004) and can increase porous spaces, increasing air permeability in soil surface layers (Rodrigues et al, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion