The effects of continuous sugarcane cropping on the physical and morphological properties of a clayey xanthic ferralsol were studied in the region of the Low Coastal Tablelands of Alagoas State, Brazil. Four sites were selected at Caeté mill, São Miguel dos Campos, State of Alagoas, Brazil, involving a native forest (Tn), and sugarcane fields, cultivated for periods of two (T2), eighteen (T18) and twenty-five (T25) years. The soils were morphologically characterized, and samples were taken from each horizon to determine particle size distribution, degree of floculation, moisture at - 0.034 MPa and - 1.52 MPa, soil bulk and particle densities, macroporosity and calculated total porosity. Undisturbed samples of the A, AB and BA horizons of each profile were collected to determine microporosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil bulk density. The results showed that the agricultural use promoted morphological changes with the development of an Ap horizon showing abrupt transition to the underlying AB horizon and lack of structure. In relation to physical properties, the results indicated that the cultivation decreased the clay content of the surface horizon and increased significantly that of the sub-surface horizon. After an evident negative impact on physical properties after the first crop, the management practices promoted a new equilibrium, with increases in total porosity and water availability. On the other hand, the agricultural use resulted in a significant reduction of the saturated hydraulic conductivity in the surface horizon, when compared to the virgin forest site.
Clayey xanthic ferralsol; physical properties; soil compaction; continuous-cropping; sugarcane