Tillage systems are a key element of the technology of crop production, both with a view to crop yield and from the perspective of soil conservation and sustainability of the production system. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of five tillage systems on the physical properties of a cohesive Yellow Argisol. The experiment was installed in the field on January 21, 2011 and lasted 260 days, in an area previously used as pasture with Brachiaria grass […]

The physical and chemical properties of coastal plain soils cultivated with sugarcane for a long period under different management systems may undergo changes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sugarcane management systems on the chemical and physical properties of a dystrophic cohesive Yellow Latosol of coastal tablelands in the state of Alagoas. Three experimental plots were selected in sugarcane growing areas, representing the three management systems used for ethanol production, namely: a cultivated area […]

Soil resistance to root penetration is the main parameter to express the soil compaction degree and the facilities that it offers to root penetration. The purpose of this study was to characterize the ratio of the soil water content and root penetration resistance of a DystrocohesiveYellow Argissol in the Recôncavo Baiano (Bahia, Brazil). The study was carried out in a commercial citrus orchard with ‘Pera’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.) grafted on ‘Rangpur’ lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) with a green […]

The potential yield of sugarcane depends on factors related to climate, soil and the plant variety. Management systems that provide the addition of organic waste to the soil can cause changes in physical attributes of the soil, enhancing the growth of the root system and sugarcane yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different management systems at several levels of organic residue addition on the distribution and indices of aggregate stability of dystrophic cohesive Yellow […]

The cohesive character is an attribute of subsurface soil horizons with hard to extremely hard consistency when dry, and friable or firm when wetted. Despite the agricultural importance, the formation of these horizons is not yet completely understood. The objective of this study was to characterize and assess the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of cohesive horizons in soils of the Coastal Tablelands of Northeast Brazil, in order to understand their pedogenesis and to identify physical and chemical parameters […]

Soil landscape position is important in relation to the amount of stored and available water for the plants. The cohesive layer in the tableland soil of the Northeast of Brazil hinders the water flow in the profile. During rainy periods, the formation of transitory water tables above cohesive horizons is possible, due to the restriction of descending vertical flow caused by such horizons. Therefore, the occurrence of interflow (downhill lateral subsuperficial water flow) on the cohesive horizons in slope areas […]

The term “cohesive” has been used in Brazil to distinguish sub-surface soil horizons that have hard, very hard or extremely hard consistency when the soil is dry, and friable when the soil is wet. Australian soils with similar behavior were identified as hardsetting. Researchers have indicated that many soils in Africa and other semi-arid regions can also be characterized as hardsetting. Based on the definition and characteristics of the hardsetting soils, it is believed that “cohesive” soils of the Low […]