Spatial variability of soil physical attributes in integrated production systems in the Amazon region

Abstract

The objective of this work was to analyze the spatial variability of soil physical attributes in integrated production systems and its relationship with the growth and yield of a corn (Zea mays) crop intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). The experiment was carried out in an integrated crop-livestock (ICL) system and in an integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) system, in a Plinthic Hapludox. The ICLF system was managed in alleys between eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) rows, spaced at 18, 30, and 42 m. Corn grain and forage yields were positively correlated with soil clay and moisture contents, whereas grain yield was negatively correlated with soil penetration resistance. The lowest corn plant heights and grain yields were observed near eucalyptus rows. The average values for soil penetration resistance were below 2.0 MPa. Spatial variability was verified for: corn plant height, grain yield, and agronomic efficiency; forage intercropping; and soil moisture and silt contents, as well as penetration resistance. Greater grain and biomass yields were obtained at a 42-m distance between tree rows. The obtained results are indicative that corn traits and soil physical attributes were only slightly associated. The spatial distribution of the eucalyptus rows influences the agronomic efficiency of the intercrop and soil moisture contents.

Efficiency and quality of soil sampling according to a sampling tool

“…The clay content data showed classical homogeneity, given by the coefficient of variation. Low CV values for clay content are commonly observed in the literature (Feitosa et al, 2019;Gelain et al, 2021) and are intrinsically linked to the source material of soil formation (AbdelRahman et al, 2021).…”

Agronomic performance of soybean crops under integrated production systems in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon biome

“…The number of pods per plant varied from 27.0 in the 1 st row to 49.3 in the greatest DSE evaluated, in both agricultural years (Figure 4). This variation can be due to the shading effect caused by the forest component and the soil quality near the eucalyptus (Assis et al, 2015;Feitosa et al, 2019;Mantino et al, 2020).…”

“…R. D. Webster, cv. Xaraés] was used due to climatic conditions (Feitosa et al, 2019), also constituting an intensified land use system (Salton et al, 2014;Cerri et al, 2018).…”