Spatial variability of soil physical attributes in sugarcane using different row spacings

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of harvesting traffic by evaluating the spatial variability of soil physical attributes on a clayey Oxisol under sugarcane cultivation using different row spacing. Two areas of sugarcane production (RB855156 genotype) were planted in autumn 2013, both using conventional planting systems. Treatments were either sugarcane cultivated using: (i) single-row spacing (SR) of 1.50 m; or (ii) double-row spacing (DR) of 0.40 × 1.50 m. Areas using SR spacing occupied a total of 6 ha areas using DR spacing occupied a total of 2 ha. Assessments of soil physical attributes were performed during the summer of 2016 after the second harvest. Soil measurements in each area were done at 100 points using a grid design with dimensions of 10 m long by 5 m wide. Soil sampling was taken from the 0.00-0.10 m layer, from points distributed along the planted row and the machine’s wheel track. The following soil physical attributes were assessed: bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, soil penetration resistance, and water contentat field capacity. Bd and PR in the single-row spacing showed critical values for adequate sugarcane root development. The highest spatial variability of PR and Ma was found in double-row spacing, however, this spacing arrangement promoted a better soil physical conditions.