Influence of field slope and coffee plantation age on the physical properties of a red-yellow Latosol

Abstract

SUMMARYIn modern agriculture, several factors cause changes in the soil physical properties. The time of establishment of a crop (plantation age) and the slope are examples of factors that moderate the impact of mechanized operations on the soil structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of machinery traffic on the physical properties of a Red-Yellow Latosol under coffee plantations with different ages (2, 7, 18, and 33 years) and slope positions (3, 9 and 15 %). Samples were collected from three positions between coffee rows (lower wheel track, interrow and upper wheel track) and at two depths (surface layer and sub-surface). Changes in the total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, organic matter, bulk density, and aggregate stability were investigated. Our results showed that the slope influenced the organic matter content, microporosity and aggregate stability. The soil samples under the inter-row were minimally damaged in their structure, compared to those from under the lower and upper wheel track, while the structure was better preserved under the lower than the upper track. The time since the establishment of the crop, i.e., the plantation age, was the main factor determining the extent of structural degradation in the coffee plantation.Index terms: agricultural traffic, Coffea arabica L., soil degradation, aggregate stability.( Vários fatores causam alterações nas propriedades físicas do solo na agricultura moderna. O tempo de cultivo da cultura e a inclinação da área cultivada são exemplos de fatores que podem influenciar, bem como prejudicar, a estrutura do solo. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar em plantações de café com diferentes idades de cultivo e com diferentes declividades na entrelinha, o efeito do tráfego de máquinas sobre as propriedades físicas do solo. O estudo foi desenvolvido em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Selecionaram-se plantações de café com tempos de cultivo de 2, 7, 18 e 33 anos. Nessas plantações, foram selecionadas áreas (entrelinha do café) com inclinação lateral de 3, 9 e 15 %. O solo foi amostrado em três posições na entrelinha do café: linha de tráfego de baixo, linha de tráfego de cima e entre as linhas de tráfego (entrelinha). Amostras de solo foram coletadas em duas camadas (superficial e subsuperficial). As propriedades investigadas foram: porosidade total, macroporosidade, microporosidade, matéria orgânica, densidade e estabilidade de agregados. A declividade da entrelinha do cafeeiro influenciou a matéria orgânica e algumas propriedades físicas do solo, como microporosidade e estabilidade de agregados. As amostras na entrelinha (entre as linhas de tráfego) foram as que apresentaram os melhores resultados em termos de preservação da estrutura do solo, em relação às amostras das linhas de tráfegos (de baixo e de cima); as amostras da linha de tráfego de baixo evidenciaram melhores resultados em termos de preservação da estrutura do solo do que a linha de tráfego de cima. Observou-se que o tempo de cultivo da cultura foi o principal fator que ...

Physical soil attributes of Conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) under organic and conventional management systems

“…This result is in agreement with that of Araujo-Junior et al (2011), who studied areas cultivated with Arabica coffee under different weed management schemes. Also for Arabica coffee, Iori et al (2014) observed higher soil density and soil RP and a decrease in total pore volume at the traffic row, which became more pronounced over time.The lowest TP and macroporosity were observed for the soil under conventional management (Fig. 4), for which at least three tractor runs per year were performed.…”

“…However, it has its limitations, as for example the cost of certification, lack of specialized professionals and specific research, besides difficulties in replacing chemical fertilisation and achieving better prices. Because soil's physical properties are influenced by the management system adopted, information of the soil properties are important for optimisation and success of any agricultural activity (Araujo-Junior et al, 2011;Cortez et al, 2014;Iori et al, 2014;Sousa Neto et al, 2014). Changes in soil physical properties may influence pore volume and geometry, mechanical resistance, and the storage and movement of water, gases and heat of the soil and may therefore affect root and plant development (Secco et al, 2009;Oliveira et al, 2012;Fagundes et al, 2014).…”