The physical properties and fertility of the soil are important factors in the formation and establishment of pasture. Changes in physical properties affect the movement of water, air, nutrients and roots, which, in turn, affect the productivity and longevity of pastures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of the soil and the dry matter yield of a pasture with signalgrass cv. Basilisk (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk), fertilized with increasing nitrogen doses (N), on a dystrophic […]

The cohesive nature of horizons of certain soils interferes directly with plant growth, by reducing the effective soil depth, plant root volume and seedling emergence, due to the decreased availability of water and air in the soil. This paper aimed to use soil physical characteristics to describe the cohesive character and the influence of the soil landscape position on two slopesof soils developed from sediments of the Macacu Formation in Itaboraí, RJ, Brazil. The soils of both slopes were classified […]

The least limiting water range (LLWR) is one of the best indicators of soil physical quality in intensive production systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of a Typic Haplorthox by the LLWR after three crop growing seasons and the first year of crop-livestock integration in Xambrê, northwestern Paraná, Brazil. The experiment was established in a randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of four brachiaria heights before grazing (0.10; 0.20; 0.30, and 0.40 […]

Studies about reduced tillage in soil cultivated with roots and tubers are rare and controversial. Thus, this study assessed the impact of tillage systems on physical properties of an Alfissol and on the growth of sweet potato tubers. To evaluate the soil physical properties, an experiment was conducted in a randomized block, split-plot design. The plots consisted of the treatments conventional tillage with mounds and reduced tillage with straw on the soil surface and the subplots of two sampling periods: […]

The mechanical harvesting of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) increases the risks of soil physical degradation. The objective of this study was to determine the least limiting water range (LLWR) and S index to evaluate the physical quality in soils under mechanically harvested sugarcane. Three soils were sampled (layers 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m): clayey Oxisol (clayey LV), loam Oxisol (medium-textured LV) and a sandy Ultisol (sandy PVA). In decreasing order, the LLWR was clayey LV < sandy PVA < medium-textured LV. In […]

The use of machinery in agricultural and forest management activities frequently increases soil compaction, resulting in greater soil density and microporosity, which in turn reduces hydraulic conductivity and O2 and CO2 diffusion rates, among other negative effects. Thus, soil compaction has the potential to affect soil microbial activity and the processes involved in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. This study was carried out under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of soil compaction on microbial activity and carbon (C) […]

Inadequate usage can degrade natural resources, particularly soils. More attention has been paid to practices aiming at the recovery of degraded soils in the last years, e.g, the use of organic fertilizers, liming and introduction of species adapted to adverse conditions. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the recovery of physical properties of a Red Latosol (Oxisol) degraded by the construction of a hydroelectric power station. In the study area, a soil layer about 8m thick had […]

Tillage systems should create adequate conditions for plant development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the density, porosity and penetration resistance of a Yellow Ultisol in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil after tilling with four agricultural implements (chisel, tandem disc harrow, offset disc harrow with 0.56 m discs, offset disc harrow with 0.61 m discs) in one, two and three operations, using an area without tillage as control. Data of soil bulk density and porosity were analyzed […]

The introduction and intensification of no-tillage systems in Brazilian agriculture in recent decades have created a new scenario, increasing concerns about soil physical properties. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different tillage systems on some physical properties of an Ultisol previously under native grassland. Five tillage methods were tested: no-tillage (NT), chiseling (Ch), no-tillage with chiseling every two years (NTCh2), chiseling using an equipment with a clod-breaking roller (ChR) and chiseling followed by disking (ChD). […]

This study had the purpose of evaluating the effects of two management types of sugarcane: harvesting of burnt cane (BCH) and mechanized harvesting of unburnt green cane (MCH), on some soil physical properties of a dystrophic Rhodic Haplustox. The data were then compared with results for the same soil type under native forest. A completely randomized design was used, with three treatments and 20 replications. The following characteristics were determined: organic matter, aggregate stability, soil bulk density, and porosity at […]