Influence of Vinasse and Mechanized Harvesting on the Physical and Chemical Aspects of Soil in Paudalho Municipality - PE

Abstract

The cultivation of sugarcane employs highly impactful methods and productive processes on the environment. However, these industries have been investing in technologies aimed at finding solutions, ranging from waste disposal to the eradication of burning practices. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of vinasse and mechanized harvesting on the physicochemical aspects of a medium-textured dystrophic Red Yellow Argisol soil cultivated with sugarcane. Data collection for soil density, particle density, and total porosity was carried out through a Completely Randomized Design experiment with a factorial scheme, with three replications, to analyze the interaction between treatment factors and depths. Four treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4) were applied at three depths (0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, and 40-60 cm), each with three replications. The obtained data were subjected to ANOVA and compared using the Tukey test (p≤0.05) with the statistical program ASSISTAT 7.7 beta. The results showed that fertigation did not influence soil density, particle density, and total porosity. Regarding the soil's physical attributes, mechanized harvesting influenced an increase in soil density and total porosity. The experimental unit without vinasse application showed acidic pH and high levels of aluminum saturation, resulting in a decrease in nutrient availability for the soil. However, it can be concluded that the experimental units treated with vinasse had an increase in nutrient availability. Therefore, the addition of vinasse can be an important strategy in maintaining and increasing soil fertility in sugarcane crops in the long term.