ABSTRACT The effects of machinery traffic and cover crops on soil physical properties have been underexplored under no-till agricultural production in subtropical environments. The objective of this study was to quantify the soil water infiltration rate and related soil physical properties in response to tractor traffic levels (0, 2, 5, and 20 passes) and the presence or absence of cover crops in a Xanthic Hapludox soil over two growing seasons under no-till conditions. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design arranged in a factorial scheme with four replications. The traffic factor was constituted by the number of passes with a 6 Mg weight tractor. The winter crop management practices factor consisted of the cover crops (i) black oat (Avena strigosa) in 2017 and turnip (Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus) in 2018 compared with (ii) fallow with spontaneous vegetation. The soil water infiltration rate increased with cover crops when compared to fallow. Regarding tractor traffic levels, shortly after soil compaction, there was a lower water infiltration rate at 20 passes, 45 mm h-1 lower than the absence of tractor traffic. The soil water infiltration rate was positively correlated with macroporosity and negatively correlated with soil bulk density. After 14 months of soil compaction caused by tractor traffic, an improvement in the soil physical properties and the water infiltration rate was found, which were enhanced by the inclusion of cover crops.

ABSTRACT Soil compaction negatively impacts soil physical functions, affecting root growth and crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate different soybean cultivars’ agronomic and physiological performance as a function of compaction in Rhodic Ferralsol under no-tillage (NT) with a clay loam texture in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. The experiment was implemented in Rio Verde, Goias state, central Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with a 3x2 factorial scheme with six replications. The first factor corresponded to three soybean cultivars from different maturity groups (MG) identified as super-early (MG = 6.2); early (MG = 6.8), and medium (MG = 7.9). The second factor was the cultivation in compacted and uncompacted soil. The experiment evaluated the soil physical properties: bulk density, total porosity, water content at matric potential -6 kPa, aeration capacity and water and air holding capacity in 0.0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m layers, agronomic and physiological traits (gas exchange). Soil compaction negatively affected the agronomic traits of soybean cultivars, with better performance of the medium cycle cultivar. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates were reduced up to 50% under compaction and were not influenced by cultivars. Our findings suggest that soil compaction negatively affected the performance of soybean cultivars with lower maturity groups reflecting in lower plant height, shoot and root dry mass, number of pods and grain yield. The choice of soybean cultivars with a longer cycle can be an alternative to minimize the adverse effects of soil compaction.

ABSTRACT Sandy soils are characterized by low organic matter content and soil water retention and availability. Conventional tillage has been used for the implementation of orange orchards, but it exposes the soil to erosion and promotes accelerated oxidation of organic matter with negative impacts on the soil’s physical quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil physical quality of sandy soils influenced by two soil tillage practices for planting the orange trees in areas after long-time under pastures. Soil sampling was carried out in three experimental areas (one under Lixisol and two under Ferralsol) where the planting of orange trees had been carried out using two tillage practices: (i) conventional tillage in total area; and (ii) localized conventional tillage in a strip corresponding to the orange tree planting lines. A complete randomized design was used with two treatments (total or strip tillage) and four replications. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken in 2011 (8 to 18 years after the establishment of the treatments) from the 0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m layers in transects crossing: (i) under canopy projection below orange trees; (ii) under machine wheel tracks in the interrow of the orange trees; and (iii) under grass groundcover between the wheel tracks in the interrow of the orange trees. The following determinations were made for these samples: texture analysis, total organic carbon, soil bulk density, reference bulk density obtained with saturated soil subjected to a 200 kPa, soil resistance to penetration, soil water content, and water retention curves and the least limiting water range. The results suggest that total tillage for the implantation of orange orchards is unnecessary; however, after a long time of establishing orange orchards occurs soil physical quality discontinuity under wheel tracks compared to the other sampling positions. A positive correlation between organic carbon and soil physical quality was identified under the canopy of trees and grass groundcover in the interrow of the orange trees. For similar sand content, the higher soil organic carbon in the Ferralsol provided better physical quality than in Lixisol.

ABSTRACT Oxisols ( Latossolos ) are widely distributed in tropical zones and generally characterized by high levels of surface and subsurface acidity. In Brazil, most Oxisols are managed under no-till conditions with surface application of acidity amendments. This study aimed to evaluate lime application strategies (incorporated and surface) for achieving the desired soil base saturation (BS%) levels (44, 60, 70, and 90 %) and the effect of phosphogypsum + lime application on soil chemical properties as well as wheat and corn yield in southern Brazil. Lime incorporation was more effective in reducing the soil acidity and increasing Ca2+ and Mg2+ despite a decrease in organic matter at the soil surface. Phosphogypsum application increased S-SO42- and Ca2+ availability throughout the deeper soil layers and reduced the Mg2+ content in the surface layer. Wheat yield under incorporated lime conditions increased with BS% up to 75, but there was no response to surface application. When phosphogypsum was applied, the wheat yield increased by 8.4 %. For corn, incorporated lime increased the yield up to 445 kg ha-1, which was equivalent to the yield after phosphogypsum application. An increase in the S-SO42- level was the main factor related to the increase in crop yields. In the short term, our results suggest that phosphogypsum applied along with lime is more appropriate than incorporating lime under no-till management conditions.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as propriedades físicas de um solo com pastagem de capim-tanzânia (Megathyrsus maximus) fertilizado com nitrogênio mineral ou consorciado com a leguminosa estilosantes 'Campo Grande' (Stylosanthes spp.), submetido a pastejo contínuo e à taxa de lotação variável, em uma cronossequência de três anos. Os tratamentos foram: capim-tanzânia e estilosantes; e capim-tanzânia adubado com 75, 150 e 225 kg ha-1 de N por ano. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em blocos ao acaso com três repetições, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo (primeiro, segundo e terceiro anos experimentais). Foram avaliadas, anualmente, as seguintes propriedades do solo: densidade do solo, porosidade no domínio dos macroporos, capacidade de armazenamento de água e ar do solo e resistência do solo à penetração. Após três anos, a maior taxa de lotação animal, em razão do aumento da produção de forragem, não afetou as condições físicas do solo. O consórcio de pastagem de capim-tanzânia com a leguminosa apresenta valores de capacidade de armazenamento de água e ar do solo próximos aos ideais (0,66 e 0,34, respectivamente). Após o segundo ano experimental, ocorre decréscimo dos valores de resistência do solo à penetração, que ficam abaixo do limite crítico de 2.500 kPa. O consórcio de capim-tanzânia com o estilosantes 'Campo Grande' pode ser uma alternativa interessante para a manutenção e o melhoramento das condições físicas do solo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical properties of a soil with a 'Tanzânia' grass (Megathyrsus maximus) pasture fertilized with mineral nitrogen or intercropped with the legume 'Campo Grande' (Stylosanthes spp.), and subjected to continuous grazing and variable stocking rate, in a three-year chronosequence. The treatments were: 'Tanzânia' grass and Stylosanthes; and 'Tanzânia' grass fertilized with 75, 150, and 225 kg ha-1 N per year. The experiment was carried out in an Oxisol, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, in split plots divided according to time (first, second, and third experimental years). The following soil properties were assessed annually: soil bulk density, porosity in the soil macropore domain, soil water and air storage capacity, and soil penetration resistance. After three years, the highest animal stocking rate due to increased forage yield did not affect the soil physical conditions. The intercrop of 'Tanzânia' grass with the legume shows values of soil water and air storage capacity close to the ideal ones (0.66 and 0.34, respectively). After the second experimental year, there is a decrease in the penetration resistance values, which are inferior to the critical limit of 2,500 kPa. The intercropping of 'Tanzânia' grass with stylosanthes 'Campo Grande' can be a remarkable alternative for the maintenance and improvement of soil physical conditions.

ABSTRACT Soil and crop management systems change the soil structure, thereby affecting soil quality. The “profil cultural” method (PCM) has been used to identify the effects of management systems on soil structure; however, few studies relate the structures identified by the PCM to quantitative indicators of soil structural quality. This study aimed to quantify soil structures using the PCM and relate these structures to bulk density (Bd), critical bulk density (Bdc), soil aeration capacity (εa), least limiting water range (LLWR), and soil air permeability (Ka) under different soil and crop management systems. The study was developed in a long-term experiment (24 years) involving two systems of soil management (no-tillage and conventional tillage) and two systems of crop management (rotation and succession), resulting in four treatments: no-tillage with crop rotation (NTr), no-tillage with crop succession (NTs), conventional tillage with heavy harrowing and crop rotation (CTr) and conventional tillage with heavy harrowing and crop succession (CTs). The PCM was used to identify the different homogeneous morphological units (HMUs) in the soil profile. Undisturbed soil samples were collected for the HMUs that were most represented in the profiles to determine Ka, LLWR, Bd, and εa. There was agreement between the HMUs and the quantitative indicators. The LLWR showed greater values for Bdc under no-tillage (NTr = 1.36 Mg m-3 and NTs = 1.37 Mg m-3) than under conventional tillage (CTs = 1.31 Mg m-3 and CTr = 1.33 mg m-3). The proportion of samples where Bd > Bdc was 23 % under CTs, 77 % under CTr, 32 % under NTs, and 39 % under NTr. The structures that were most restrictive to root development (CΔ, CΔμ, FmtΔμ, and FmtμΔ) show a lower Ka and greater soil penetration resistance as the soil dries. Pores are more continuous and the structure is less restrictive to plant development in no-tillage than in conventional tillage.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a acurácia em medidas do potencial mátrico da água no solo (ψm) por tensiômetros de punção com cápsulas arredondadas ou pontiagudas, instalados com ou sem “lama de solo”, e comparar o desempenho destes tensiômetros com o de tensiômetros com manômetros de mercúrio. O experimento foi conduzido em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial, com cinco repetições. Tensiômetros de punção com cápsulas arredondadas, instalados com “lama de solo”, apresentam maior acurácia nas determinações do ψm em uma faixa mais ampla de medidas, assemelhando-se aos tensiômetros com manômetros de mercúrio com o secamento do solo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the measurement accuracy of the soil water matric potential (ψm) by puncture tensiometers with either rounded or pointed porous cups, installed with or without “soil mud”, and to compare the performance of these tensiometers with that of tensiometers equipped with mercury manometers. The experiment was conducted in a Ultisol, in a randomized complete block design, in a factorial arrangement with five replicates. Puncture tensiometers with rounded porous cups, installed with “soil mud”, present more elevated accuracy for ψm determination in a wider measurement range, resembling tensiometers equipped with mercury manometers in drying soil.

ABSTRACT The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was developed in the U.S.A. and has been used as a tool for assessing and quantifying changes in soil quality/health (SQ) induced by land uses and agricultural practices in that region and elsewhere throughout the world. An initial study using SMAF in Brazil was recently published, but additional research for a variety of soils and management systems is still needed. Our objective was to use data from five studies in southern Brazil to evaluate the potential of SMAF for assessing diverse land-use and management practices on SQ. The studies examined were: (i) horizontal and vertical distribution of soil properties in a long-term orange orchard; (ii) impacts of long-term land-use change from native vegetation to agricultural crops on soil properties; (iii) effects of short-term tillage on soil properties in a cassava production area; (iv) changes in soil properties due to mineral fertilizer and pig slurry application coupled with soil tillage practices; and (v) row and inter-row sowing effects on soil properties in a long-term no-tillage area. The soils were classified as Oxisols, with clay content ranging from 180 to 800 g kg-1. Six SQ indicators [pH(H2O), P, K, bulk density, organic C, and microbial biomass] were individually scored using SMAF curves and integrated into an overall Soil Quality Index (SQI) focusing on chemical, physical, and biological sectors. The SMAF was sensitive for detecting SQ changes induced by different land uses and management practices within this wide textural range of Brazilian Oxisols. The SMAF scoring curve algorithms properly transformed the indicator values expressed in different units into unitless scores ranging from 0-1, thus enabling the individual indicators to be combined into an overall index for evaluating land-use and management effects on soil functions. Soil sector scores (i.e., chemical, physical, and biological) identify the principal soil limitations and can therefore be used to establish priorities for specific management actions. The SMAF can be used as a tool for assessing SQ in Brazilian soils, thus helping farmers, land managers, and politicians make better decisions regarding sustainable land-use and management practices.

ABSTRACT Understanding the spatial behavior of soil physical properties under no-tillage system (NT) is required for the adoption and maintenance of a sustainable soil management system. The aims of this study were to quantify soil bulk density (BD), porosity in the soil macropore domain (PORp) and in the soil matrix domain (PORm), air capacity in the soil matrix (ACm), field capacity (FC), and soil water storage capacity (FC/TP) in the row (R), interrow (IR), and intermediate position between R and IR (designated IP) in the 0.0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m soil layers under NT; and to verify if these soil properties have systematic variation in sampling positions related to rows and interrows of corn. Soil sampling was carried out in transect perpendicular to the corn rows in which 40 sampling points were selected at each position (R, IR, IP) and in each soil layer, obtaining undisturbed samples to determine the aforementioned soil physical properties. The influence of sampling position on systematic variation of soil physical properties was evaluated by spectral analysis. In the 0.0-0.1 m layer, tilling the crop rows at the time of planting led to differences in BD, PORp, ACm, FC and FC/TP only in the R position. In the R position, the FC/TP ratio was considered close to ideal (0.66), indicating good water and air availability at this sampling position. The R position also showed BD values lower than the critical bulk density that restricts root growth, suggesting good soil physical conditions for seed germination and plant establishment. Spectral analysis indicated that there was systematic variation in soil physical properties evaluated in the 0.0-0.1 m layer, except for PORm. These results indicated that the soil physical properties evaluated in the 0.0-0.1 m layer were associated with soil position in the rows and interrows of corn. Thus, proper assessment of soil physical properties under NT must take into consideration the sampling positions and previous location of crop rows and interrows.

RESUMO A ocorrência de concentração de nutrientes e compactação superficial tem sido relatada após longo tempo de implantação do sistema plantio direto. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os atributos químicos, a densidade do solo e a produtividade das culturas subsequentes a uma única intervenção mecânica complementada com calagem de um Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico textura muito argilosa conduzido em sistema plantio direto há 17 anos ininterruptos, em Pato Branco, no sudoeste do Paraná. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com aração e gradagem do solo nas parcelas (sem e com revolvimento do solo com aração a 0,00-0,20 m e gradagem) e calagem nas subparcelas (sem e com calagem para elevar o índice de saturação por bases a 70 %). Foram avaliados a densidade do solo e a produtividade das culturas de milho (6° mês), biomassa de aveia-preta (12° mês) e soja (20º mês) e os atributos químicos do solo (6° mês). O revolvimento ocasional do solo com aração e gradagem em sistema plantio direto consolidado teve duração efêmera de seis meses na redução da densidade do solo. A incorporação do calcário não apresentou vantagens em relação à sua aplicação na superfície do solo. Não houve aumentos de produtividade das culturas subsequentes à calagem e ao revolvimento do solo. As produtividades das culturas de milho, aveia-preta e soja não dependeram do revolvimento e da incorporação de calcário nessa área agrícola.

ABSTRACT Accumulation of nutrients and surface compaction have been reported after a long time under a no-tillage system. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil chemical properties, bulk density, and crop yield following a single mechanical intervention associated with liming in a clayey Oxisol under a NT system for 17 consecutive years in Pato Branco, southwestern Paraná, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used in a split-plot arrangement, with plowing and harrowing of the soil in the plots (with and without soil turnover through plowing to 0.00-0.20 m and harrowing), and liming in the subplots (with and without liming to raise the level of base saturation to 70 %). Soil bulk density and yield of maize (6th month), black oat biomass (12thmonth), and soybean (20th month), as well as soil chemical properties (6th month), were evaluated. Occasional soil tillage through plowing and harrowing in a no-tillage system consolidated had a brief effect of reducing soil bulk density for six months. Incorporation of lime showed no advantages over application of lime on the soil surface. There were no yield increases in the crops following liming and soil tillage. The yields of corn, oat, and soybean did not depend on plowing and lime incorporation in this agricultural area.

Machinery traffic in sugarcane (Saccharumsp.) plantations reduces soil physical quality, and hinders both root development and crop yield. We evaluated the physical quality of an Oxisol and the development of sugarcane roots under controlled traffic. The treatments assessed were: without controlled machinery traffic (WCT), controlled traffic by adjusting the tractor and infield wagons to a 3.0 m track width with the operator guiding the machinery (CT1) and the previous treatment using real time kinematic / global positioning system (RTK / GPS) precision auto steer (CT2). Soil samples were collected from the planting rows, seedbed and inter-row center to determine the least limiting water range (LLWR) and soil porosity from scanned 2-D images. The root dry mass was sampled from monoliths, separated from the soil by washing through a 2-mm sieve and dried in an oven. A higher LLWR was observed in the planting row under CT1 and CT2 than under WCT. The planting row had a predominance of complex pores with a diameter > 500 µm in the 0.15-0.27 m depth layer under CT1 and CT2. In the planting rows under WCT, the root dry mass was only 44 % of that measured under CT2. Benefits regarding soil physical quality and growth roots were observed when the tractor-wagon track width was adjusted based on the sugarcane spacing using either precision auto steering or manual operation of the machinery.

A permeabilidade ao ar pode ser utilizada como indicador da qualidade física do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a permeabilidade ao ar e os índices de continuidade de poros para a cama de semeadura em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico cultivado no sistema semeadura direta e submetido à escarificação mecânica e escarificação biológica, utilizando a cultura do nabo forrageiro. O estudo foi conduzido em área experimental da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Estado do Paraná. Os tratamentos implantados foram: sistema semeadura direta por 18 anos consecutivos (SD); semeadura direta submetido à escarificação mecânica (SDE); e semeadura direta submetido à escarificação biológica por meio da cultura do nabo forrageiro (SDNF). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. As amostragens de solo foram feitas aos seis e 18 meses após a implantação dos tratamentos, correspondentes às semeaduras das culturas do milho (outubro de 2009) e da soja (novembro de 2010), respectivamente, nas camadas de 0,00-0,05 e 0,05-0,10 m de profundidade. A permeabilidade ao ar foi determinada pelo permeâmetro de carga constante nos potenciais mátricos -6, -10, -30 e -100 kPa. Foram definidos os seguintes índices de continuidade de poros: índice N, índice K1 e volume de poros bloqueados; e a porosidade de aeração. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e, quando significativos, as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey (p<0,05). Para a camada de 0,00-0,05 m, a permeabilidade ao ar e o índice K1 no SDNF no potencial mátrico de -6 kPa foram significativamente maiores que em SD e SDE. O índice N, o volume de poros bloqueados e a porosidade de aeração não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos em ambas as profundidades. Os efeitos benéficos da escarificação biológica na permeabilidade do solo ao ar e no índice de continuidade de poros K1 persistiram aos 18 meses após sua aplicação. A escarificação mecânica resultou em maior continuidade do sistema poroso do solo, avaliado pelo índice K1, com persistência desse efeito aos 18 meses após sua aplicação.

Air permeability may be used as a soil physical quality indicator. The objective of this study was to determine the air permeability and pore continuity index for the seedbed of an Oxisol cultivated under a no-tillage system that underwent mechanical chiseling and biological promotion of pore formation using the forage radish crop. The study was carried out in an experimental area of the Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (Ponta Grossa State University), Parana, Brazil. The treatments were 18 consecutive years under no tillage (SD); no-tillage under mechanical chiseling (SDE); and no-tillage under biological promotion of pore formation by a forage radish cover crop (SDNF). A randomized complete block experimental design was used with four replications. Soil samples were taken at the 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m soil depths at 6 and 18 months after setting up the treatments, corresponding to maize (October 2009) and soybean (November 2010) planting, respectively. Air permeability was determined with a constant head permeameter at four matric potentials: -6, -10, -30, and -100 kPa. The following pore continuity indices were determined: N index, K1 index, and blocked porosity; and air-filled porosity. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and, when significant, the means were compared by the Tukey test (p<0.05). For the 0.00-0.05 m soil depth, the air permeability and K1 index in SDNF at the -6 kPa matric potential were significantly higher than in SD and SDE. The N index, blocked porosity and air-filled porosity did not differ statistically among treatments for either depth. The beneficial effects of biological promotion of pore formation on air permeability and on the soil pore continuity index (K1) continued at 18 months after application. Mechanical chiseling resulted in greater continuity of the soil pore system (K1), and this effect persisted at 18 months after application.

Sistemas conservacionistas em pomares de laranja podem aumentar a capacidade de suporte de carga do solo minimizando os seus riscos de compactação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de suporte de carga por meio da pressão de preconsolidação e sua dependência a conteúdo de água, densidade e carbono orgânico de um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico latossólico, após 18 anos de implantação de plantas de cobertura permanentes nas entrelinhas de um pomar de laranja. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Foram estudados três tratamentos de manejo por meio de roçadas nas entrelinhas do pomar, desde o plantio do pomar em 1993: gramínea Paspalum notatum, leguminosa Arachis pintoi e vegetação espontânea. Cento e oito amostras indeformadas de solo foram coletadas em 2011 sob o rodado e entrerrodado das máquinas nas estrelinhas do pomar com textura arenosa nas camadas de 0,00-0,10 m (87 g kg-1 de argila) e 0,10-0,20 m (122 g kg-1 de argila). Determinaram-se as pressões de preconsolidação das curvas de compressão do solo (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 e 1.600 kPa) em conteúdos de água sob três potenciais (-80, -330 e -1.000 hPa), a densidade do solo e o teor de carbono orgânico do solo. A pressão de preconsolidação não foi dependente do conteúdo de água, da densidade do solo e do teor de carbono orgânico do solo. A pressão de preconsolidação sob o rodado na camada de 0,00-0,10 m foi menor nos tratamentos leguminosa e vegetação espontânea. A manutenção permanente da gramínea manejada com roçadas nas entrelinhas do pomar de laranja proporcionou maior capacidade de suporte de carga do solo sob o rodado na camada superficial arenosa.

Conservation tillage systems in orange groves can increase soil load-bearing capacity minimizing their risks of soil compaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate load-bearing capacity through preconsolidation pressure and its dependence on water content, bulk density, and organic carbon of a Typic Paleudult soil 18 years after setting up permanent plant cover between the rows of an orange grove. A randomized block experimental design was used, with three replications. Three groundcover treatments subjected to mowing between the rows of the grove, as of establishment of the orange grove in 1993, were studied: Paspalum notatum grass, the Arachis pintoi legume, and spontaneous vegetation. One hundred and eight undisturbed soil samples were collected in 2011 at the 0.00-0.10 m (87 g kg-1 clay) and 0.10-0.20 m (122 g kg-1 clay) depths under and between the wheel tracks of the machines between the rows of the orange grove consisting of sandy clay texture soil. Preconsolidation pressure was not dependent on soil water content, bulk density, or organic carbon content. Preconsolidation pressure from soil compression curves (25; 50; 100; 200; 400; 800; and 1,600 kPa) at water content under three potentials (-80; -330; and 1,000 hPa), soil bulk density, and soil organic carbon were determined. The preconsolidation pressure under the wheel tracks between the orange rows in the 0.00-0.10 m layer was lower in the legume and spontaneous vegetation treatments. Ongoing maintenance of the grass managed through mowing between the rows of the orange grove led to greater soil load-bearing capacity under the wheel tracks in the sandy surface layer.

Indicators synthesizing the state of the structural quality and the function of the porous system are useful for assessing soil production capacity as well as the way it may serve natural ecosystems. This research aimed (i) to determine indicators of the state and function of the porous system, (ii) to use them to derive a global index to characterize the soil physical quality, and iii) to establish a reference pore-size distribution curve for Mollisols from the province of Santa Fe (Argentina). Sixty water retention curves (WRC) of A and B horizons of Mollisols, with clay varying between 119 and 538 g kg−1, organic matter between 5 and 40 g kg−1, and soil bulk density between 1.09 and 1.49 Mg m−3, were used. The indicators measured were: pore size distribution, macroporosity (PORp), air capacity (ACt) and plant-available water capacity (PAWC) among others. Soils were classified into four groups according to their physical properties and a reference WRC was determined. From this WRC and considering a total porosity of 0.514 m3 m−3, PORp was 0.035 m3 m−3, ACt 0.153 m3 m−3, field capacity 0.361 m3 m−3, permanent wilting point 0.136 m3 m−3 and PAWC 0.225 m3 m−3. Both the high silt content and low organic matter content confer on the soil characteristics with low stability, excess of small pores and low porosity of the macropore domain. Consequently, the capacity to quickly drain the water excess and allow root proliferation was not optimal, possibly due to the high silt or clay content and the low sand content, characteristic of the soil matrix of these Mollisols.

A correlação espacial entre atributos de solo e de plantas espontâneas tem importância agronômica e ambiental. O entendimento dessa correlação é fundamental para a interpretação do seu significado, tendo em conta a influência de fatores como os mecanismos de dispersão, a produção e a sobrevivência das sementes e a extensão da influência das práticas de manejo do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi de avaliar a correlação espacial entre atributos físicos de solo e plantas espontâneas em sistema plantio direto (PD) e preparo convencional (PC). Os atributos físicos de solo foram: densidade do solo, macroporosidade, microporosidade, porosidade total, capacidade de aeração da matriz do solo, água retida na capacidade de campo; e os de plantas espontâneas: biomassa da parte aérea das plantas, densidade de plantas, densidade de Commelina benghalensis e densidade de Bidens pilosa. Os alcances das correlações espaciais foram em geral maiores no PD do que no PC. Os variogramas cruzados evidenciaram que muitas variáveis apresentam estrutura de variação conjunta no espaço e, portanto, podem ser mapeadas umas pelas outras pela co-krigagem. A variação conjunta permitiu também fazer inferências sobre os significados físicos e biológicos das variáveis estudadas. Os resultados demonstraram também que os sistemas de manejo do solo exercem influência significativa na estrutura da dependência espacial.

The spatial correlation between soil properties and weeds is relevant in agronomic and environmental terms. The analysis of this correlation is crucial for the interpretation of its meaning, for influencing factors such as dispersal mechanisms, seed production and survival, and the range of influence of soil management techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial correlation between the physical properties of soil and weeds in no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems. The following physical properties of soil and weeds were analyzed: soil bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, aeration capacity of soil matrix, soil water content at field capacity, weed shoot biomass, weed density, Commelina benghalensis density, and Bidens pilosa density. Generally, the ranges of the spatial correlations were higher in NT than in CT. The cross-variograms showed that many variables have a structure of combined spatial variation and can therefore be mapped from one another by co-kriging. This combined variation also allows inferences about the physical and biological meanings of the study variables. Results also showed that soil management systems influence the spatial dependence structure significantly.