The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and chemical soil properties and organic carbon dynamics in a Typic Eutroferric Red Latossol under different land uses (no-till system, irrigated and non- irrigated crops, and native forest) in the savanna region of Santa Helena de Goiás, Goiás State, Brazil. Samples were collected from five soil layers (0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30, and 0.30-0.40 m) and separated in aggregate size groups of above or below 0.25 mm. Chemical and physical analyses determined the total organic, mineralizable, microbial biomass, and water-soluble carbon, as well as the labile organic matter for soil characterization. The following conclusions were drawn: (a) carbon levels in the aggregates were lower in the no-till system compared to the soil under natural forest; (b) organic matter plays a relevant role in the genesis and stabilization of aggregates > 0.25 mm; (c) compared to the soil under natural forest, an increased soil compaction was evidenced in the no-till system by the porosity, resistance to penetrometer, and bulk density; (d) and soil density is a satisfactory variable to evaluate soil compaction of the Typic Eutrofic Red Latosol. Labile organic matter has the potential to be used in studies of clay dispersion and flocculation phenomena besides nutrient cycling.
savanna; no-till; soil organic matter
