Abstract

LIMA, Cláudia Liane Rodrigues de; PILLON, Clenio Naito; SUZUKI, Luis Eduardo Akiyoshi Sanches  and  CRUZ, Lucia Elena Coelho da. Physical attributes of an albaqualf under management systems in comparison with those under native grassland. Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo [online]. 2008, vol.32, n.5, pp. 1849-1855. ISSN 0100-0683.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832008000500006.

The soil management may influence soil hydro-physical conditions and crop yield. The objective of this study was to determine soil physical properties of an Albaqualf under management systems and to compare them with those under a native pasture. The bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and aggregation were evaluated in the soil layers 0-0.025; 0.025-0.075; 0.075-0.125; 0.125-0.175; and 0.175-0.275 m. The hydro-physical soil conditions in no-till and conventional systems were similar. The conditions in the soil under native grassland were more adequate for crop development due to a higher hydraulic conductivity, macroporosity, total porosity and aggregation and lower bulk density. Critical values considered adequate for the crop development of 1.56 Mg m^-3; 16.18 mm h^-1 and 2.49 mm, respectively, for bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity and mean weight diameter were suggested.

Keywords : bulk density; hydraulic conductivity; soil porosity; soil aggregation.