Chemical and hydrophysical attributes of an Oxisol under coffee intercropped with brachiaria in the Cerrado

Abstract

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of irrigation and of the presence of brachiaria (Urochloa decumbens) between coffee (Coffea arabica) rows on coffee yield and on chemical and hydrophysical attributes of a Typic Haplustox. The study was conducted in the Cerrado region in Planaltina, Brasília, DF, Brazil, in a randomized complete block design, arranged in split-split plots, with four replicates. Water regimes (irrigated or rainfed) were assigned to the main plots, inter-row management systems to the subplots, and soil layers to the sub-subplots. The following soil attributes were determined: total organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, carbon and nitrogen stocks, bulk density, aggregate stability, total porosity, macroporosity, low-retention microporosity, remaining microporosity, criptoporosity, and total and readily-available water, besides coffee yield. Irrigation of coffee plants, associated with brachiaria intercropped as a cover crop, increased coffee yield and favored chemical and hydrophysical soil attributes, improving soil structure and its ability to store water. Irrigation favors organic carbon stocks in the upper soil layers, whereas brachiaria favors soil physical attributes related to water availability to coffee.Index terms: Coffea arabica, Urochloa decumbens, cover crops, soil physical quality, soil porosity, water availability. Atributos químicos e físico-hídricos de um Latossolo sob cafeeiro consorciado com braquiária no CerradoResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da irrigação e da presença de braquiária (Urochloa decumbens) nas entrelinhas do café (Coffea arabica) sobre a produtividade do cafeeiro e sobre os atributos químicos e físico-hídricos de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico. O ensaio foi conduzido na região do Cerrado, em Planaltina, Brasília, DF, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas sub-subdivididas e quatro repetições. Foram alocados os regimes hídricos (irrigado ou não irrigado) nas parcelas, os sistemas de manejo das entrelinhas nas subparcelas e as camadas de solo nas sub-subparcelas. Os seguintes atributos do solo foram determinados: carbono orgânico total, nitrogênio total, relação C/N, estoques de carbono e nitrogênio, densidade do solo, estabilidade de agregados, porosidade total, macroporosidade, microporosidade de baixa retenção, microporosidade remanescente, criptoporosidade, e disponibilidade de água total e de água prontamente disponível, além da produtividade de café. A irrigação do cafeeiro, associada ao consórcio com braquiária como planta de cobertura, aumentou a produtividade de café e favoreceu os atributos químicos e físico-hídricos do solo, o que melhorou a estrutura do solo e a sua capacidade em armazenar água. A irrigação favorece o estoque de carbono nas camadas superficiais do solo, enquanto a braquiária favorece os atributos físicos do solo relacionados à disponibilidade de água para o cafeeiro.Termos para indexação: Coffea arabica, Urochloa decumbens, plantas de cobertura, qualidade física ...

Soil enzymatic activity under coffee cultivation with different water regimes associated to liming and intercropped brachiaria

“…At planting, fertilization consisted of 120 g triple superphosphate, 50 g magnesium thermophosphate (Yoorin -Mineração Curimbaba ltda., Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil), and 24.5 g fritted trace elements (FTE), per plant. Previously, 2 t of dolomitic lime ha -1 was broadcasted and incorporated in the whole area, in order to increase soil base saturation to 50% (ROCHA et al, 2016). As maintenance fertilization 300 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 yr -1 , in the form of triple superphosphate, 2/3 in September and 1/3 in December, was applied according to VEIGA et al (2019).…”

“…The intercropping of coffee and brachiaria (Urochloa spp.) has been a very promising alternative to maximize production, improving soil structure and the capacity of storing water, ensuring higher levels of productivity and providing better use of the area (ROCHA et al, 2016). Brachiaria also have an incredible ability to keep the soil biologically active in Cerrado conditions.…”

Relationship of gas exchanges in different phenological phases with coffee productivity in the Cerrado

“…The control of pests and diseases was through constant monitoring, according to the need of the culture. Between the coffee plantation was planted brachiaria (Urochloa decumbens), with mowing according to the growth of the brachiaria (Rocha et al, 2016). The weeds were controlled along the planting line, also with periodic mowing.…”

Dynamics of Carbon and Soil Enzyme Activities under Arabica Coffee Intercropped with Brachiaria decumbens in the Brazilian Cerrado

“…Coffee is one of the most important agricultural commodities in Brazil. If agricultural practices and management are adequate, the conversion of pasture areas into coffee plantations can eventually increase carbon (C) stocks and improve soil quality [ 1 , 2 ].…”