Biological and chemical parameters have been used as indicators in soil quality evaluation. This work aimed to analyze and correlate biological and fertility parameters in soils from two cropping systems in western São Paulo. Samples from soils under pasture and soybean were collected in seven cities of the region, in 2006, to evaluated fertility, soybean nodulation, activity of dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymes, and concentration of thermoresistant bacteria. Most evaluated sites showed low soil fertility. Nodulation occurred in all evaluated soils, however it was higher in localities with predominance of claysoils. Soybean growth was satisfactory in all localities. Soli management under soybean did not contributed for significant increments in the evaluated biological indicators, but some sites showed increase in soil fertility. Dehidrogenase activity showed positive and closed correlation with most fertility parameters and may be a good biological indicator of soil fertility.
Phosphatase; dehydrogenase; nodulation; soil quality