ABSTRACT The naturally fragile sandy soils of the Pampa Biome (PB) may be degraded with the introduction of poorly managed agricultural crops. Anthropic use can markedly decrease vegetation cover on sandy soils, leaving them more exposed to erosive agents. Decreases in organic matter content, biodiversity, and nutrient availability, increased soil compaction, and decreased water availability are also some of the impacts caused on PB soils by implementing poorly managed agricultural crops. In Rio Grande do Sul, in areas with sandier […]

ABSTRACT The “Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure” (VESS) is a method used primarily to evaluate the soil structural quality of Oxisols in Brazil and secondly for more specific research, consultancy, and teaching purposes. Since the methodology was never applied and compared with laboratory evaluations of physical properties of hydromorphic soils of the Pampa biome in the south of Brazil, this study evaluated the use of VESS as a visual indicator of the structure quality of a typic eutrophic Albaqualf soil […]

In modern agriculture, several factors cause changes in the soil physical properties. The time of establishment of a crop (plantation age) and the slope are examples of factors that moderate the impact of mechanized operations on the soil structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of machinery traffic on the physical properties of a Red-Yellow Latosol under coffee plantations with different ages (2, 7, 18, and 33 years) and slope positions (3, 9 and 15 %). […]

The use of a soil induces changes in the physical properties according to the management, tillage intensity and type of crop. The objective of this work was to measure the alterations of some of the soil physical properties and evaluate the physical quality by the S index, an indicator proposed by Dexter (2004), comparing the land uses: eucalyptus plantations at different ages, grazing pasture, annual crops, and an area of preserved secondary vegetation with an area of preserved native forest […]

The Cerrado is being increasingly exploited in production systems characterized by intensive land use, without due concern for the preservation of natural resources. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of no-tillage soybean on the physical properties of Oxisols. The study was carried out in the region of “Serra do Quilombo”, located in the Cerrado region of the State of Piauí.  To assess changes in soil properties caused by agricultural use, soil samples were collected from conventional […]

Understanding and quantifying the impact of land use and soil management on soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and physical properties is essential for the development of a sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate some physical properties and SOC of an Oxisol in the Northwest of the state of Paraná, under different use and soil management systems, i.e., under native forest, pasture, cassava, and sugarcane. Disturbed soil samples were collected for particle size, particle density, proctor and […]

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 […]

In the southern region of Minas Gerais large areas are affected by gully erosion. The evaluation of soil properties in these environments is extremely important, in view of their sensitivity to changes in soil quality. The objectives of this study were to evaluate physical, chemical and biological soil properties and their relationship with vegetation in the gullies. The study examined three gullies, one on an Inceptisol and two on Oxisols- LVA1 and LVA2, in Lavras, Minas Gerais (SE Brazil). Different […]

The aim of this study was a survey of the estimated costs of soil erosion, an issue of fundamental importance in view of the current worldwide discussions on sustainability. A list was drawn up of research papers on erosion (on-site and off-site effects) and their respective costs. The estimates indicate the amount of resources spent in the process of soil degradation, raising a general awareness of the need for soil conservation. On-site costs affect the production units directly, while off-site […]

The search for improved productivity of livestock has stimulated deforestation of forested areas in the Pantanal for pasture planting, raising concerns about the sustainability of the natural resources. To study some aspects of land use in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in chemical and physical soil properties due to the conversion of native tree vegetation in pasture, and the exposure of native pasture to a continuous grazing system. The environments of the […]