The structural features of humic acids (HA) after addition of organic matter from urban residues were evaluated. The HAs were extracted from the surface (0-20 cm) of an ultisol (Seropédica, RJ) and oxisol (Piraí, RJ) which had been treated with the equivalent of 80 t ha-1 (dry material) of compost from urban waste and also sewage sludge. The incubation time in the laboratory was 24 weeks under room temperature and humidity at field capacity. Tha HAs were characterized by elemental […]

The direct consequences of inadequate soil management are erosion, productivity reduction and loss of sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance to penetration and permeability of soil to water under management systems used in the cerrado region. The study was conducted at Embrapa Corn and Sorghum, in Sete Lagoas (MG), using a cerrado phase, very clayey, typic dystrophic Red Latosol (Acrusthox). The native cerrado provided lower soil density, higher macroporosity, higher total volume of pores, and consequently, smaller resistance […]

Soil is an important component of the ecosystem. Its management affects air and water quality. Nowadays, the soil potential to sequester carbon and, therefore, mitigate global warming, is an emergent subject. The main goals of this research were: (a) to evaluate the potential of cover crops (black oat, blue lupine (priori to oat + vetch), velvet bean and jack bean) used in corn production systems to increase soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) content in a sandy-loam typic Paleudalf, in […]

The changes in some soil chemical properties, bulk density, and microbiological activity due to the replacement of a native forest by orange cultivation were evaluated in an Yellow-Red Podzolic Soil. The study was conducted at the Cambuhy orange farm, Matão (SP) in April, 1996. Two areas were selected: (a) a native forest, and (b) a 15-year-old orange plantation. Ten sites were randomly selected in each area and soil samples were taken at 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths. In the cultivated area, […]

Litholic soils are characterized by moderate to high erodibility and low depth. Due to these attributes, litholic soils require effective conservation practices protecting their thin top soil layer from the high erosion rates in the semiarid regions of the State of Ceará, Brazil. While the consequences of erosion on these soils are well known, the long term effects of this conservation practice on the rate of soil losses and improvement of their properties have been scarcely studied. Mass of retained […]