Soil structure and its relationship with soybean yield

Edwaldo D Bocuti,Carlos L R Santos,Kaynara F L Kavasaki,Marcelo R V Prado,Luis A Di L Di Raimo,Ricardo S S Amorim

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v25n3p168-173

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soil structure conditions the interaction between the physical-hydraulic, chemical, and biological attributes and determines the potential of soil productivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the structure of soils of areas subjected to soybean production and the impacts of soil structure on crop yield. In total, 28 soybean production areas were selected in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and analyzed for particle size, soil organic carbon and aggregates. Data of soil attributes were subjected to descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test at p ≤ 0.05. In general, considering the non-irrigated soybean production areas, it was found that soils with mean sand content between 100.00 and 800.10 g kg-1 and clay content between 120.00 and 627.80 g kg-1 showed average soybean yield of 3,536.36 kg ha-1. Soils that had aggregates with mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter above 1.50 mm showed soybean yield equal to or greater than 3,370.67 kg ha-1. Soils of similar textural groups can define different levels of soybean yield, depending on characteristics such as the type of management adopted and production technology applied in the soybean production area.

Highlights

Soil structure is defined by the arrangement of its particlesize fractions, including the porous spaces among them, besides the settlement of the aggregates with their different shapes and sizes (Marshall, 1962)
28 soybean production areas were selected in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and analyzed for particle size, soil organic carbon and aggregates
Soils of similar textural groups can define different levels of soybean yield, depending on characteristics such as the type of management adopted and production technology applied in the soybean production area

Summary

Introduction

Soil structure is defined by the arrangement of its particlesize fractions, including the porous spaces among them, besides the settlement of the aggregates with their different shapes and sizes (Marshall, 1962). Anthropic action causes relevant changes in soil structure, since the different management practices cause the breakdown of aggregates in different magnitudes. The adoption of more conservational practices, such as no-tillage system, favors the addition and accumulation of soil organic carbon, which benefits the increase in the diameter and stability of aggregates (Marasca et al, 2013; Almeida et al, 2018). In this context, structure is an attribute considered an indicator of soil quality, due to its sensitivity to the management practices adopted (Stefanoski et al, 2013)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion