ABSTRACT Regosols (Neossolos) are soils with use limitations mainly related to effective depth, abundant presence of rock and saprolite fragments, and frequently high slope gradients; besides that, they represent a new agricultural frontier for grain production in southern Brazil. This study evaluated soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and water retention and availability in Regosols and saprolites derived from volcanic rocks in southern Brazil and the relationship of these variables with porosity in saprolithic horizons characterized by mineralogical weathering. The study […]

ABSTRACT The rational exploitation of the land requires planning its agricultural use, which can be supported by the agricultural land suitability (ALS) assessment. The scheme to assess ALS proposed by Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) has been adopted in Brazil based on guiding charts for subtropical, humid tropical and semi-arid tropical climate. However, the guiding chart used for the semi-arid region has dramatically limited the ALS in drylands on which rainfed agriculture has been practiced. In this study, an adequation for […]

ABSTRACT Sandy texture soils have a great expression in agricultural areas worldwide. In the Baixada Fluminense, soils with a sandy texture on the surface horizons are striking, and a good part of these areas is destined for producing vegetables using conventional cultivation methods. The sandy texture is one of the great challenges for agriculture due to the low water retention capacity provided to the soil, the rapid decomposition of organic matter, and the intense loss of nutrients by leaching. In […]