Abstract
Sugarcane crop conventional tillage has been replaced by deep soil preparation with few studies about its effect on soil quality and sustainability. The aim of this study was to assess structural volumes ina dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol subjected to conventional tillage (CT) and deep localized soil tillage (DLST) to verify how the microbiological parameters were affected. The study was conducted in a soil derived from the Caiuá Sandstone formation in Brazil. Four trenches were dug for each soil tillage system to describe the cultural profile and evaluate carbon microbial biomass (CMB) and nitrogen (NMB), basal respiration (BR), and metabolic quotient (qCO2). CT profiles exhibited a predominance of cracked soil volumes, medium-sized and large compact clods with some porosity, and continuous volumes with no cracks and of intermediate porosity. DLST profiles were predominantly free-soil volume with no cohesion and porous in appearance, and compact, cohesive volumes with no porosity visible. The highest levels of CMB and NMB were in the cracked soil under CT. Higher microbial activity indicated by BR and qCO2 were in the free powdery soil under DLST. Soil pulverization caused by DLST could cause serious consequences on soil functionality, boosting erosion, and metabolic stress in the microbiota.
Highlights
The northwestern region of the Brazilian state of Paraná is the fifth largest producer of sugarcane in the country (CONAB 2015)
There has been a trend towards replacing conventional soil tillage (CT) for the sugarcane crop with a new system known as deep localized soil tillage (DLST) with traffic control, the aim of which is to improve physical conditions for deep root growth
The implement used in DLST consists of a subsoiler with tines that can penetrate to a depth of 0.80 m, a hopper for applying correctives/fertilizer, a rotary hoe for breaking up clods and a furrower that folds residual straw from the harvest into the soil (Sousa et al 2015)
Summary
The northwestern region of the Brazilian state of Paraná is the fifth largest producer of sugarcane in the country (CONAB 2015). Seventy percent of the soils in this region are derived from Caiuá Sandstone They are generally medium-textured to sandy soils with low levels of clay and organic matter, impairing aggregate stability and water retention capacity (Viana et al 2011, Zoline et al 2011). Because of these characteristics, the soils in this region are considered extremely fragile and highly susceptible to erosion (Carvalho 1994, Fidalski 1997), and the intensive use of agricultural machinery and implements could speed up the erosion process, resulting in environmental damage and impaired yield. The implement used in DLST consists of a subsoiler with tines that can penetrate to a depth of 0.80 m, a hopper for applying correctives/fertilizer, a rotary hoe for breaking up clods and a furrower that folds residual straw from the harvest into the soil (Sousa et al 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
