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

Abstract

Coffea sp. is cultivated in large areas, using both conventional and organic management. However, information about the sustainability of these two management systems is still deficient. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical properties of soil cultivated with Conilon coffee (C. canephora) under organic and conventional management. Two areas cultivated with Conilon coffee (under organic and conventional management) and a fragment of Atlantic forest, used as a reference, were selected for the experiment. Soil granulometry, hydraulic conductivity, water retention curve, resistance to penetration, porosity, optimal hydric interval, and other physical characteristics were measured at depths of 0 to 10 and 10 to 20 cm. The data was submitted to multivariate and descriptive statistical analyses. Higher similarity was observed between the soil cultivated with Conilon coffee under organic management and the Atlantic forest soil. Soil resistance to penetration at 10, 30, 100, 500 and 1500 kPa, macro porosity, density and total porosity were the main physical properties that differentiated both management systems studied. The nonuse of agricultural machinery and the addition of organic matter may be the main reasons for higher soil sustainability observed under organic management when compared with the conventional system.

Soil macrofauna in organic and conventional coffee plantations in Brazil

“…Partelli et al (2016) and Azevedo Junior et al (2017) highlight the positive effect of organic farming on physical attributes of soils. In coffee cultivation systems, according to Partelli et al (2016), the physical properties, as soil resistance to penetration, macroporosity, density and total porosity in soil under organic management provides this system with a higher similarity to the Atlantic forest than the conventional system. Azevedo Junior et al (2017) report that microbiological and chemical soil properties are effective in discriminating the two cultivation systems and sistemas de cultivo e selecionaram os campos mais similares de cada propriedade.…”

“…This inputs often have a negative effect on soil quality, with a higher tendency to soil compaction, loss of mineral nutrients, and reduction of soil biota (Vasconcellos et al 2013), which affect soil quality and ecological functions (Albrecht et al 2010) and causes degradation of soil and environment. A more sustainable method of agriculture, that includes adoption of conservational practices, represents a feasible alternative for minimization of such effects (Partelli et al 2016). Many biological processes are favored in organically managed farms (Glover et al 2000), as higher root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi (Lamine & Bellon 2009), constant transformation of organic materials, resulting in a greater stock of mineral nutrients and microbial activity (Scherr & McNeely 2008).…”

“…Among the most responsive ones, we cite the microbiological properties, which describe the microbial activity in soils (Maluche- Baretta et al 2006, Kaschuk et al 2010. Partelli et al (2016) and Azevedo Junior et al (2017) highlight the positive effect of organic farming on physical attributes of soils. In coffee cultivation systems, according to Partelli et al (2016), the physical properties, as soil resistance to penetration, macroporosity, density and total porosity in soil under organic management provides this system with a higher similarity to the Atlantic forest than the conventional system.…”