This study was carried out to assess the influence of Winter plant cover on the physical soil properties in a Structured Terra Roxa soil in the state of Santa Catarina. The plant cover consisted of an association of black oats (Avena stirgosa Schreb) with pasture turnip (Raphanus sativus L.) and organic fertilization with poultry manure and ² mineral fertilization. Soil samples collected in August 1994 and January 1995, at depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm, from an experiment started in 1990, were analyzed. A decrease in the stability of aggregates greater than 4.76 mm and an increase in aggregate stability in diameters of 4.76-2.00 and 2.00-1.00 mm was found when organic fertilization was used. Organic fertilizer in the 0-10 cm soil layer increased macroporosity and decreased soil density, whereas the organomineral fertilizer reduced macroporosity and increased microporosity and soil density.
green manuring; plant cover; crop rotation