This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two leguminous and two grass species in improving soil chemical characteristics (organic carbon, effective, and potential CEC and available levels of P, K, Ca, Mg, H and pH) as a function of the depth and position of the sample collection. The experiment design was a split plot in a factorial scheme. The plot was previously used for studies of soil losses by erosion, and the soil classified as "Nitossolo Vermelho Eutrófico", loamy texture. The treatments consisted of two leguminous species (guandú - Cajanus cajan L. and siratro - Macroptilium antropurpureum L.) and two grasses (elephant grass - Digitaria decumbens L. and elephant grass - Pennisetum purpureum L.), with three replications. The use of the leguminous and grass species increased the total organic carbon level, the exchange cation capacity, and the potassium, organic matter and magnesium levels, mainly in the surface layer. The largest litter accumulation was reached with elephant grass in the lower position of the plots in all treatments.
grass and leguminous species; soil chemical characteristics