Stratification ratio as soil carbon sequestration indicator in macroaggregates of Oxisol under no-tillage

The decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) content in deeper layers indicates the occurrence of stratification between the surface layer and subsurface layer of soil due to continuous C addition by crop residues. The objective was to evaluate the change (delta) of stratification (RE) of carbon (C) as an indicator of C sequestration and soil total and particulate soil in macroaggregates of two soils (Typic Hapludox) with different textures, managed in no-tillage system. The tests were developed in completely randomized design twelve repetitions.Analyzed factors were: (a) two soils: Oxisol with medium texture and Oxisol with clay texture, (b) sampling depth: 0-5 and 5-20cm, (c) two sampling times (October 2007-T1, September 2008-T2). The results were submitted to variance analysis by program SISVAR 5.3, using the Tukey test at 5% significance. There was a significant linear relationship between the ∆ RE and carbon sequestration rate total macroaggregates Oxisol with medium texture (R²=0.78**) and Oxisol with clay texture (R²=0.81**) indicating that there was C sequestration confirming to be a sensitive indicator of the rate of C sequestration in soil macroaggregates.

subtropical soils; Oxisol; soil texture; organic matter