Soil Quality Indicators in Agroecological Systems in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Soil quality is its ability to function within the limits of the ecosystem and land use to ensure biological productivity, preserve environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health. Thus, the objective of this study was to select soil quality indicators sensitive to different agricultural practices adopted in areas of agroecological systems in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Soil samples were collected in the 0-20 cm layer, at the end of the dry season, in three different rural properties dedicated to an agroecological system (AS) located in the municipalities of Romaria and Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ten soil samples were evaluated, five from areas with agroecological management and five from pasture areas as reference. Chemical attributes, microbiota population, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soil basal respiration (SBR), and activity of beta-glucosidase, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase enzymes were evaluated. The variables basal respiration, beta-glucosidase, pH, and bacterial and actinobacterial colonies were sensitive to different agroecological (AS) and pasture managements, so these variables can be used as indicators of soil quality. The mean values between the ratio of AS and pasture of these indicators were 1.69, 1.20, 3.57 and 2.44, respectively. Agroecological system areas showed a soil with better quality and, possibly, greater activity of its basic functions.

Keywords:
Agroforestry; Soil basal respiration; Microbial biomass carbon; Enzymatic activity