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Effects of liming on chemical properties and soil fauna in no-tillage system

This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of liming and its influence on chemistry and fauna properties of a Cambisol under no-tillage system. The experiment has been carried out in Lages, SC, southern Brazil, since May 2001. The treatments were: no-tillage with incorporated lime in the rate of 1 SMP (NT-inc); superficial liming in the rate of 1/5 SMP (NT-1/5sup), and 1/2 SMP (NT-1/2sup). As control treatment, bare soil without cultivation without lime application (BS), and plots with perennial pasture with incorporate lime in the rate of 1 SMP (Pp-inc) were used. Soil samples were collected in the layers of 0-5; 5-10; 10-20cm depth for analysis of Ca2+, Mg+2, Al3+, water and CaCl2 pH. Total organic carbon and soil fauna were analysed in the layer 0-10cm. The superficial liming in the no-tillage system in the highest rate (1/2 SMP) increased Ca2+ contents up to 10 cm depth and Mg+2 up to the layer of 10 to 20cm. The abundance and diversity of soil fauna were higher in cultivated plots under no-tillage and pasture, in relation to the bare soil, showing influences of soil management, but with no direct relation with chemical soil conditions created by liming.

ion mobility; organic carbon; soil fauna


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