Physical quality of a Cerrado-biome soil cultivated with three management strategies in forest planted with rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

Abstract

The rubber tree is a species native to the Amazon biome of great economic importance. Analyzing the soil physical attributes allows for quantifying the impact of different management practices on the soil properties and the yield of rubber plantations. The present experiment was developed on Red-Latosol soil cultivated with rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) since 2013. The experiment was set up as a factorial (2x3) design with two rubber-tree clones (PB 312 and RRIM 600) and three management strategies (organomineral fertilizer - poultry litter; mowing followed by mineral fertilizer application; green manure - pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan], as a cover crop) applied annually, with five replicates. Treatments were applied annually but the soil samples were collected at two times: firstly in 2015 (T1) and subsequently on 2016 (T2). Results revealed a reduction of microporosity, macroporosity, and total porosity and an increase in soil density with depth. However, no significant difference was detected across the management strategies for any of the evaluated traits. The different management strategies did not significantly influence the rubber-tree trunk circumference, suggesting a need for further evaluations throughout the entire development of individuals so that the response of this species can be quantified.