This research v/as carried out in 1995 in the experimental area of the University of Cruz Alta, UNICRUZ, Cruz Alta, RS, aiming to evaluate the effects of different soil management systems on soil physical properties of an oxisol, as well as on soybean yield. The experimental design was a completely randomized blocks with four replications. Soil management systems used were; (1) continuously no-tillage - T1; (2) no-tillage and escarification as needed (dynamic system) - T2; (3) summer no-tillage with Autumn/Winter escarification - T3; (4) conventional tillage: escarification plus harrow disking - T4; and, (5) conventional tillage: disk plowing plus harrow disking - T5. Porous space (total porosity, macro and micro porosity) and bulk density were determined. Samples were collected in two sites in each experimental unit and at depths 0/0-7, 7-14 and 14-21cm. Soil density was higher at the depths of 0-7 and 7-14 cm for the CNT treatment, which was different from the other treatments, except from the NTDS treatment. Total porosity and macro porosity were smaller in the 77 and T2 treatments at the depths 0/0-7, 7-14 and 14-21 cm, as compared with the T3, T4 and T5 treatments. In relation to the micro porosity, significant difference among the values was only found at the depth of 7-14 cm, where the TI treatment differed with a higher value only from the T5 treatment. Soybean grain yield did not show any difference among the soil management systems used.
porous space; bulk density; no-tillage
