In the soil, forms and content of water-soluble carbon (WSC) are influenced by factors such as organic matter quality and content, soil acidity, nutrient availability, mineralogy, and aspects related to the microbial community. This study aimed to evaluate forms and quantities of carbon (C) in leachates from Latosols (Oxisols) with different Fe contents, amended with lime and/or phosphorus. Samples of mesoferric Red Latosol (LV1) and hypoferric Red Latosol (LV2) were collected in the Rio das Mortes wathershed, state of Minas […]

The importance and efficiency of agroforestry systems in the conservation of tropical soils need to be demonstrated at the local scale. Physical and chemical soil attributes of seven plots used for agroforestry during 5.5 years were evaluated in the 0-0.2 m layer and compared with the respective soils of adjacent forests fragments in the Northern Rondônia State. No differences in texture were found between the soils in the layer evaluated, indicating that the two systems are located on the same soil type. […]

Through the densimetric fractionation it is possible to study the physical protection of soil organic matter (SOM). High density solutions of sodium iodide (NaI) or sodium polytungstate (SPT) have been indistinctively used for this purpose. This study aimed to assess: (a) the capacity of these two solutions at a density of 1.8 g cm-3 (NaI-1.8 and SPT-1.8) and of SPT at densities of 2.0 (SPT-2.0) and 2.2 g cm-3 (SPT-2.2) to increase C recovery in the free light fraction (FLF) and occluded light fraction […]

Boron (B) adsorption by soils affects its bioavailable contents and contamination potential. The objectives of this study were: (a) to investigate the effects of pH variation on B adsorption by topsoil and subsoil samples from an Anionic “Rhodic” Acrudox (RA), an Anionic “Xanthic” Acrudox (XA) – both with a positive balance of charge in Bw horizon – and a Rhodic Kandiudalf (RK); (b) to evaluate the ability of the Langmuir model of simulating the experimental results of B adsorption; and […]

The organic matter dynamics in Atlantic forest ecosystems must be understood to ensure the efficiency of conservation programs. Chemical characteristics of humic substances are important because they reflect the soil genesis processes and soil management, and can be used as indicator of the organic matter quality. The purpose of this study was to test the organic matter quality as a marker of the soil environment in areas of native Atlantic forest developed on a distrophyc Gleysol and a distrophyc Cambisol […]

The geochemical and mineralogical evolution was studied in three different alteration profiles of ultramafic (serpentine) rocks near Alpinópolis and Fortaleza de Minas, in southwestern Minas Gerais State (Brazil). Soil moisture and temperature regimes are udic and thermic, respectively. The current chemical and mineralogical evolution degree is moderate compared to other basic and ultramafic material of the same area and is characterized by significant losses of Na and Mg and, to a lesser extent, of Ca and Si. Very little K […]

Benchmark soils are a collection of soil orders that represents a particular geographical region. Knowledge on their properties and behavior may be applied to solve management problems of other soils with similar properties. The present study was carried out to determine the Mn and Fe available concentration by different extractants and their distribution among soil fractions in benchmark soils of Pernambuco State, Brazil. It was also aimed at studying the relationship between routine extractants and micronutrient forms in the soils. […]

According to their hydrophobicity degree, organic substances can increase the aggregate stability, reducing the rate of water infiltration into the aggregates. Our study investigated the aggregate genesis and stabilization in a Red-Yellow Latosol under organic compound addition with distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics. Air-dried samples from the A and B horizons were incubated with different doses of three organic compounds: estearic acid, amid and humic acid purified in accordance to the International Humic Substances Society. The experiment was organized with […]

The input of organic compounds in agriculture and the soil wetting and drying cycles have a strong influence on soil aggregation. This study investigated the effect of incubation periods and the influence of wetting and drying cycles with the addition of organic compounds of distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics on the aggregation of a Red-Yellow Latosol. The experiments were arranged in an incomplete factorial design 2 x 3[(4-1) + (4-1)]. The factors were: air-dried soil of A and B horizons, three incubation periods (40, […]

Simulation models are essential instruments to understand soil organic matter dynamics and the turnover of its pools in tropical soils. The objectives of this study were: (a) simulate the effects of maize production systems under organic and mineral fertilization on soil organic matter dynamics of an Ultisol using the Century model; (b) to compare total carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen stocks (TN) and the carbon pools (C) measured in the laboratory and estimated by the Century model for the surface […]