Yield response of rice (Oryza sativa l.) grown in different agroecosystems with managements of water without soil saturation

Na região central de Santa Fe, Argentina, são cultivadas variedades de arroz anaeróbico com inundação continua em diferentes solos e condições hidrológicas. Objetivou-se avaliar a resposta produtiva do arroz em diferentes agroecossistemas: várzea (2011-12) e terraço (2012-13), com manejos alternativos de água: saturação com inundação intermitente (SIN) e não saturação com aspersão (NSA). O desenho estatístico foi parcela principal (agroecossistemas) e sub-parcelas (tratamentos) com repetições aleatórias. Em ambos os agro-ecossistemas foi utilizado o cultivar Puitá INTA, clearfield, desenvolvido para condições anaeróbicas. A colheita foi manual, separando grão da palha para estimar produtividade e suas componentes. A duração do ciclo e os estádios fenológicos não diferiram entre agro-ecossistemas. Foram determinadas diferenças significativas no manejo NSA do agro-ecossistema várzea em relação ao resto dos tratamentos para às variáveis produtividade, número de panículas e fertilidade das espiguetas, no entanto a variável massa de 1000 grãos foi muito estável. As diferenças na produtividade do tratamento NSA do agro-ecossistema várzea foram devidas às baixas taxas de infiltração e condutividade hidráulica, o que imposibilitou que as irrigações feitas durante o estádio reprodutivo ficassem efetivamente disponíveis para as plantas. Decorrentemente houve maior mortandade de panículas e esterilidade das espiguetas. O manejo SIN permitiu obter altas produtividades em ambos os agro-ecossistemas (10,4 Mg ha-1), resultando uma alternativa à inundação continua. No caso do agro-ecossistema terraço, o manejo com aspersão foi muito satisfatório e permitiu constatar que uma variedade anaeróbica pode ter alta produtividade em condições de solo não saturado.In the central region of Santa Fe, Argentina, are cultivated varieties of anaerobic rice with flooding continues in different soils and hydrological conditions. This work aimed to evaluate the yield response of rice with two water management: saturation with intermittent flooding (SIF) and not saturation with sprinkle irrigation (NSS); agroecosystem lowland (2011-12) and agroecosystem upland (2012-13). The statistical design was main plot (agroecosystem) and subplots (treatments) with random repetitions. In both agroecosystems the cultivar Puita INTA, clearfield, developed for anaerobic conditions, was used. The harvesting was manual, separating grain from straw to estimate yield and components. The cycle duration and growth stages did not differ between agroecosystems. Were determined significant differences between NSS management of lowland agroecosystem in relation to the rest of the treatments for yield, number of panicles and spikelet fertility variables, however the variable mass of 1000 grains was very stable. The differences in the yield of NSS management of lowland agroecosystem were due to the small rates of infiltration and hydraulic conductivity, which not allowed that the irrigations made at the flowering stage, remain available to plants. As a consequence, a greater death of panicles and spikelets sterility was verified. The SIF management enable to obtain high yields in both agro-ecosystems (10.4 Mg ha-1), resulting an alternative to flood continues. In the agroecosystem upland, the sprinkler management was very satisfactory and allowed to establish that an anaerobic variety can have high yield under conditions of unsaturated soil. Keywords: anaerobic rice-sprinkle irrigation-intermittent flFil: Marano, Roberto Paulo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Folegatti, Marcos Vinicius. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Sup D/agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Esalq; BrasilFil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Farm dairy effluent application on an Argiudoll cultivated with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.): Biomass production and persistence

The intensification of dairy production systems has resulted in a higher generation of waste. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different doses of farm dairy effluent (FDE) applied to the soil on aerial biomass production, persistence and chemical composition of alfalfa pastures, in Santa Fe province, Argentina. The study was conducted in four randomized complete blocks with four treatments (FDE doses): 0 m3 ha-1 (T0: without FDE), 82 m3 ha-1 (T1: low rate), 151 m3 ha-1 (T2: medium rate) and 282 m3 ha-1 (T3: high rate). The soil application of FDE increased the total aerial biomass produced (ABP) but reduced the persistence of plants. Total nitrogen (Nt) of alfalfa was significantly higher, but phosphorus (P) concentrations did not vary after the application of FDE to the soil . Ca and Mg concentrations in plants were lower in T3 compared to T0, which can be explained by the imbalance produced in the soil after FDE was applied, presenting high levels of Na, K and NH4-N but low levels of Ca and Mg. Soil application of FDE on alfalfa pastures must be carefully planned in terms of composition and amount to be applied in order to increase biomass production, prevent the decrease in persistence, and control changes in the mineral composition of plants.Fil: Ghiberto, Pablo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Baudracco, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Heffner, P.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral. - Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias del Litoral.; Argentin

Dairy liquid manure: effects on soil physical properties in an argiudol

La aplicación de efluentes líquidos de tambo es una práctica que se está extendiendo rápidamente en la cuenca lechera santafesina. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de dosis variables de efluentes líquidos de tambo (ELT) sobre las propiedades físicas del suelo. El ensayo se realizó en un suelo Argiudol típico. Se realizaron dos aplicaciones de ELT. Los tres tratamientos -testigo (T0), 80 mil L ha-1 (T80) y 160 mil L ha-1 (T160)- se dispusieron en parcelas de 4x40m, distribuidos al azar y se realizaron tres repeticiones. Las mediciones se realizaron antes del pastoreo del raigrás (M1) y previo al corte del sorgo (M2). En las parcelas se colectaron cilindros de 5x5 cm para determinar densidad del suelo (Ds), curva de retención hídrica, distribución de poros por tamaño, intervalo hídrico óptimo (IHO) y densidad de suelo crítica (Dsc). Muestras inalteradas se retiraron con pala para evaluar la distribución por tamaño de agregados y el diámetro medio geométrico (DMG). La infiltración y conductividad hidráulica se midió con tensioinfiltrómetros. En M1 hubo un incremento en Ds en T80 y T160 respecto a T0, pero esos tratamientos presentaron mayor infiltración y conducción de agua por bio y macroporos. La distribución de agregados por tamaño y el DMG no mostró diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. En M2 se observó una notable disminución en la Ds, sin diferencias entre tratamientos, y un incremento de la macroporosidad, principalmente en T160. Los tres tratamientos presentaron similar Dsc pero con diferente rango de variación de Ds y porcentaje de casos registrados fuera del IHO. Los indicadores evaluados presentaron diferencias de sensibilidad para registrar alteraciones de la estructura del suelo inducidas por la aplicación de ELT y la interacción suelo-cultivo-clima ejerció notable influencia sobre los cambios ocurridos en las propiedades físicas, por lo que se considera necesario realizar estudios a largo plazo para corroborar los resultados de este estudio.The application of dairy cattle slurry (DCS) to the soil is a practice that is spreading quickly in the milkmaid basin of Santa Fe. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding several rates of DCS on the soil physical properties. The experiment was carried out on a Typic Argiudoll and consisted of three treatments with three replications randomly distributed :control, without DCS (T0), application of 80 m3 ha-1 (T80) and 160 m3 ha-1 (T160) of DCS. The DCS was spread before seeding ryegrass and sorghum. Measurements were performed before grazing the ryegrass (M1) and before harvesting the sorghum (M2). Undisturbed soil samples (cylinders) were collected to determine soil bulk density (Bd), pore size distribution, least limiting water range (LLWR) and soil critical bulk density (Bdc). Undisturbed soil samples were also collected with a shovel to evaluate the size aggregates distribution and the mean geometric diameter (MGD). Water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity were measured with tension infiltrometers. Treatments M1, T80 and T160 showed higher water infiltration and conduction through bio and macropores. The size aggregates distribution and the MGD did not show significant differences among treatments. In M2, a Bd decrease and a macroporosity increase was observed, mainly in T160. The three treatments showed similar Bdc, but with a different range of variation of Bd and percentage of cases registered outside of the LLWR. The evaluated indicators showed different sensitivity to identify alterations in soil structure induced by the application of DCS. The soil-crop-weather interaction notably influenced the changes of the soil physical properties. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out long-term studies to corroborate these results.Fil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Carrizo, Maria Eugenia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Martel, Ramiro. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Lotto, Valentín.Fil: Zen, Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Morphological characteristics of soybean root apexes as indicators of soil compaction

Plant soil compaction poses a serious problem to agriculture because it produces different types of changes in plant characteristics. No method has been implemented to date to use root morphological changes as indicators of soil compaction levels. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether or not the morphological changes in root apexes of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) can be used as indicators of soil compaction levels. To this end, a silt-loamy soil material (from a Typic Argiudoll, Esperanza series), sieved through a 2 mm mesh was used and the following soil bulk density levels were determined: 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 g cm³ for which the corresponding mechanical resistances were < 0.1, 0.5 and 3.5 MPa, respectively. The distance from the apex to the first tertiary root and the root diameter at 1.5 cm from the apex were measured on the secondary root apexes. A form factor equal to the quotient between these two variables was subsequently calculated. An inverse relationship between soil mechanical impedance and secondary root length and form factor as well as a direct relationship with the secondary root diameter were observed. Changes in rhizodermis cells were also recorded. The following morphological characteristics were found to evidence the highest sensitivity to soil compaction: i) the form factor, ii) rhizodermis papillose cells, iii) apical malformations in root hairs, and iv) root diameter in expansion areas. Taken together, the morphological characteristics of root apexes could be considered to be indicative of soil compaction.A compactação do solo causa severos problemas devido a que gera diferentes mudanças nas características das plantas. Não existem métodos que possibilitem o uso das mudanças da morfologia das raízes como indicadores de níveis de compactação do solo. Avaliaram-se se alterações morfológicas nos ápices de soja podem ser utilizadas como indicadores de graus de compactação do solo. Solo peneirado a 2 mm, classificado como Typic Argiudol (série Esperanza), foi compactado até atingir os seguintes valores de densidade do solo: 1.1, 1.3 e 1.5 g cm³, para os quais corresponderam os valores de resistência mecânica de < 0.1, 0.5 e 3.5 MPa, respectivamente. A distância desde o ápice até a primeira raiz terciária e o diâmetro a 1.5 cm desde o ápice foram medidos nas raízes secundarias. Um fator de forma foi calculado fazendo o quociente entre as duas variáveis medidas. Houve uma relação inversa entre o cumprimento da raiz secundaria e fator de forma com a resistência mecânica, e uma relação direta entre esta ultima e o diâmetro das raízes secundárias. Alterações nas células da rizoderme foram determinadas. As seguintes características morfológicas se mostraram muito sensíveis a compactação do solo: i) o fator de forma, ii) as células papilosas da rizoderme, iii) malformações apicais nos pelos das raízes, e iv) diâmetro das raízes em áreas de expansão. As características morfológicas dos ápices das raízes podem ser consideradas indicadores de compactação dos solos

Micronutrient reserves and availability and comparison of two extraction methods in agricultural soils from santa fe

Los objetivos del trabajo fueron determinar los contenidos pseudototales, disponibles y ligados a las distintas fracciones químicas de Cu, Zn, Mn y Fe en Argiudoles de la pampa llana santafesina y comparar la concentración de estos micronutrientes extraídos con EDTA y con un método secuencial. Para esto se seleccionaron cuatro suelos con distinta intensidad de uso en los que se determinó el contenido pseudototal de estos elementos y su concentración con un método simple (EDTA) y de extracción secuencial (BCR). Los contenidos promedios pseudototales de Cu, Fe, Mn y Zn fueron: 14,4; 14010; 757 y 58,9 mg kg-1 respectivamente. Los niveles extractables con EDTA fueron: 4,4; 174,8; 410,6 y 8,4 mg kg-1, respectivamente. Los niveles de Cu estimados por ambos métodos fueron similares mientras que BCR extrajo mayores contenidos de Fe, Mn y Zn. La mayor parte del Fe, Zn y Cu se encontró en la fracción residual. Alrededor del 30% del Cu está disponible en la fracción oxidable y ligada a la materia orgánica. El Zn se asoció fundamentalmente a la fracción residual y en menor medida a formas intercambiables, oxidables y reducibles. El Mn está principalmente en la fracción reducible y en la fracción soluble en agua-ácido e intercambiable. Los resultados confirman que en estos suelos la disponibilidad de todos los micronutrientes ?determinados con EDTA? se encuentran por encima de los valores críticos.The objectives of this study were to determine the pseudototal and available contents of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn as well as their speciation in Argiudolls located in the flat Argentine Pampas, in Santa Fe province, and to compare the contents extracted by EDTA with those by a sequential method. Four soils with different soil use intensity were selected for the study. Pseudototal micronutrient contents were determined and their concentrations were estimated by simple (EDTA) and sequential (BCR) extraction methods. The pseudototal average contents of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were: 14.4; 14010; 757 and 58.9 mg kg-1, respectively. The EDTA extractable levels were: 4.4; 174.8; 410.6 and 8.4 mg kg-1, respectively. The concentrations of Cu estimated by both methods were similar while higher contents of Fe, Mn and Zn were estimated by the BCR method. Iron, Zn and Cu were mainly found in the residual fraction. About 30% of total Cu was available in the oxidizable fraction and bound to soil organic matter. Zinc was primarily associated with the residual fraction and to a lesser degree to exchangeable, oxidizable and reducible forms. Manganese was mostly linked to the reducible, water-acid soluble and exchangeable fractions. These results confirm that in these soils the availability of all micronutrients determined by the EDTA method are above the critical values for crop growthFil: Carrizo, Maria Eugenia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Cs.Agrarias. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alesso, Carlos Agustín. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Cs.Agrarias. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nascimento Guedes, Jair Do. Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil;Fil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Cs.Agrarias. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Quantificação da qualidade física de um latossolo utilizando o índice S

Soil physical quality is fundamental for the sustainability of agro ecosystems. Soil physical quality assessment must be developed using parameters that describe physical behavior. S, a new soil physical parameter has recently been introduced for assessing the soil physical quality. A good soil physical quality has been associated with values of S >; 0.035 in soils from temperate climates. However, S has not been evaluated in tropical soils yet. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that S is a reliable soil physical quality indicator of a Typic Hapludox cropped with maize under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Undisturbed samples were collected from each tillage system in the row and interrow positions. Soil bulk density was determined in the samples and the S parameter was calculated using a pedotransfer function from the same samples. The parameter S was able to differentiate tillage and position with S NT ; 0,035 têm sido associados com uma boa qualidade física relacionada à produção agrícola nos solos desenvolvidos em clima temperado. Contudo, S não tem sido avaliado em solos tropicais. Consequentemente, a hipótese deste trabalho é que S pode ser utilizado como indicador da qualidade física de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico cultivado com milho em sistemas de plantio direto (PD) e de preparo convencional do solo (PC). Amostras indeformadas de solo foram obtidas em PD e PC nas posições linha e entrelinha da cultura de milho. A densidade do solo foi medida e o índice S foi calculado usando uma função de pedotransferência obtida no mesmo, em condições experimentais. O índice S diferenciou os sistemas de preparo e posições de amostragem, sendo S PD < S PC independente das posições de amostragem linha e entrelinha. Na posição linha verificou-se maiores valores de S tanto em PD como em PC. O valor de S diminuiu com o aumento da densidade do solo, indicando a redução da sua qualidade física, associada à compactação do mesmo. Os resultados confirmam a hipótese estabelecida e sugerem que mais estudos devem ser conduzidos para quantificar o índice S em diferentes solos e sistemas de manejo sob condições tropicais

Quantification of the soil physical quality of a tropical oxisol using the S index

A qualidade física do solo é fundamental para a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agropecuários e deve ser feita por meio de parâmetros que descrevem o comportamento físico do mesmo. O índice S é um desses novos parâmetros, proposto para quantificar a qualidade física do solo. Valores de S >; 0,035 têm sido associados com uma boa qualidade física relacionada à produção agrícola nos solos desenvolvidos em clima temperado. Contudo, S não tem sido avaliado em solos tropicais. Consequentemente, a hipótese deste trabalho é que S pode ser utilizado como indicador da qualidade física de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico cultivado com milho em sistemas de plantio direto (PD) e de preparo convencional do solo (PC). Amostras indeformadas de solo foram obtidas em PD e PC nas posições linha e entrelinha da cultura de milho. A densidade do solo foi medida e o índice S foi calculado usando uma função de pedotransferência obtida no mesmo, em condições experimentais. O índice S diferenciou os sistemas de preparo e posições de amostragem, sendo S PD ; 0.035 in soils from temperate climates. However, S has not been evaluated in tropical soils yet. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that S is a reliable soil physical quality indicator of a Typic Hapludox cropped with maize under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Undisturbed samples were collected from each tillage system in the row and interrow positions. Soil bulk density was determined in the samples and the S parameter was calculated using a pedotransfer function from the same samples. The parameter S was able to differentiate tillage and position with S NT < S CT independent of the row and interrow sampling positions. Higher S values were verified in row position than in the interrow in both tillage systems. With the use of a pedotransfer function it was also possible to establish a negative relationship between S and soil compaction. The results confirmed our hypothesis and suggest that further studies should be carried out to evaluate S in other tropical soils and management systems

Index of soil physical quality of hardsetting soils on the brazilian coast

Muitos solos exibem o comportamento coeso, o qual caracteriza solos que, quando secos, apresentam incremento acentuado de resistência à penetração e sensível redução dessa resistência, quando úmidos, oferecendo sérias limitações à emergência e ao crescimento das plantas. Com os objetivos de avaliar o nível de degradação da estrutura em solos coesos com diferentes classes texturais e estabelecer um índice para determinar o grau de dureza dos solos que apresentam o caráter coeso, foram selecionados seis perfis de solos previamente identificados no campo e localizados em diferentes regiões do país. Testaram-se os índices: S, que determina a qualidade física do solo; e o H, que avalia o grau de dureza e o estresse efetivo sofrido pelo solo durante o secamento. Ambos os índices foram definidos por meio de funções preestabelecidas, utilizando dados da curva de retenção de água no solo. Os resultados comprovaram que o caráter coeso identificado em diferentes solos, na faixa de Tabuleiros Costeiros do Brasil, evidenciou níveis distintos de adensamento (dureza) e pode ser quantificado satisfatoriamente pelo índice H. A utilização do índice S foi adequada para avaliar as condições estruturais dos solos com caráter coeso, classificando-se como bons ou ruins para o cultivo, mas somente quando o solo estava na umidade correspondente ao ponto de inflexão. O índice H comprovou que o aumento da densidade do solo nos solos coesos é proveniente do aumento do estresse efetivo e não da textura do solo. Valores de Ds > 1,48 kg dm-3 permitem o enquadramento do solo como coeso, em razão da organização estrutural ser considerada “ruim”Many soils have a hard-setting behavior, also known as cohesive or “coesos”. In such soils, the penetration resistance increases markedly when dry and decreases considerably when moist, creating serious limitations for plant emergence and growth. To evaluate the level of structure degradation in hardsetting soils with different texture classes and to create an index for assessing soil hardness levels in hard-setting soils, six soil representative profiles were selected in the field in various regions of Brazil. The following indices were tested: S, which measures soil physical quality, and H, which analyzes the degree of hardness and the effective stress in the soil during drying. Both indices were calculated using previously described functions based on data from the water-retention curves for the soils. The hard-setting values identified in different soils of the Brazilian Coastal Tablelands have distinct compaction (hardness) levels and can be satisfactorily measured by the H index. The S index was adequate for evaluating the structural characteristics of the hard-setting soils, classifying them as suitable or poor for cultivation, but only when the moisture level of the soil was near the inflection point. The H index showed that increases in density in hard-setting soils result from increases in effective stress and not from the soil texture. Values for Bd > 1.48 kg dm-3 classify the soil as hard-setting, and the structural organization is considered “poor”.Fil: De Lima, Herdjania Veras. Universidade Federal Rural de Amazonia; BrasilFil: Da Silva, Alvaro Pires. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Sup D/agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Esalq; BrasilFil: Balarezzo Giarola, Neyde Fabíola. Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral; Argentin

Mapping soil compaction using indicator kriging in Santa Fe province, Argentina

Soil compaction is a complex physical process that affects the crop performance by limiting the expansion of the roots and the reduction of water and nutrients uptake from soil. Due to the spatial variability of soil compaction, the needs for remedial practices may vary within the field. However, mapping soil compaction estimated by cone index (CI) data is a difficult task. The aim of this study were to examine the spatial variability of CI data in a fine-mixed-thermic Typic Argiudoll soil form the center of Santa Fe, province -Argentina under no-till system, and to delineate zones for site-specific tillage based on maps of probabilities of occurrence of soil compaction developed using indicator kriging. Sixty nine georeferenced CI and volumetric water content (SWC) measurements were recorded in a 70 x 110 m experimental area. Sample locations were distributed following a pseudo-regular grid avoiding visible machinery footprint. An indicator variable was created by splitting the sampling locations into two groups based on the CI profiles within 0-30 cm depth. The spatial structure of the CI data aggregated by 10-cm layers and the indicator variable was assessed by a model-based approach. The high variability and poor spatial structure observed in CI data was attributed to the effect of tillage and traffic under the sampling scale. This feature underpinned the application of spatial interpolation techniques for this property. However, maps of the probability of occurrence of soil compaction in the root zone were be obtained by integrating the cone index data of the arable horizon (0-30 cm) using the indicator kriging approach. Such probability maps could be useful for the delineation of potential zones for site-specific tillage

Evaluación de sustratos formulados con corteza de pino, pinocha y turba subtropical

The use of soil in potting production difficult the crop management and involves the depletion of a nonrenewable resource. Therefore, is necessary to find alternatives for replacement. The objective of this study was to formulate substrates from pine bark (C), leaves of pine (P) and subtropical peat (T) to evaluate their physicochemical properties and quality for growing flowering plants in pots. Seven formulated substrates were evaluated: 1) 1C:1P:1T, 2) 2C:1P:1T, 3) 1C:2P:2T, 4) 2C:1P:2T, 5) 2C:2P:1T, 6) 1C:4P:2T y 7) 2C:4P:1T, one local substrate (leaves of pine + subtropical peat + mineral soil) and one commercial substrate (Blonde and black peat + perlite + vermiculite). Bulk density, total pore space (TPS), water holding capacity (WHC), pore air (PA), particle size, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) was analyzed. Was performed a trial with Viola tricolor var . Yellow, one with Petunia hybrida var. White and one with Salvia splendes var. red. Each trial was composed of nine treatments (substrates evaluated) and 10 repetitions. At the end of the trials the number of buds and flowers, length and stem diameter, shoot and root dry mass were measured. The formulated and commercial substrate presented low bulk density (3.35 mm was higher in the substrate 6, 7 and commercial substrate; this explains the high percentage of PA in the first two. The substrates 6 and 7 showed the lowest values in the percentage of the fraction 35%).El uso de suelo para la producción en macetas dificulta el manejo del cultivo e implica el agotamiento de un recurso no renovable. Esto genera la necesidad de encontrar alternativas para su reemplazo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue formular sustratos a partir de corteza de pino (C), pinocha (P) y turba subtropical (T) para evaluar sus propiedades físico-químicas y verificar su calidad para el cultivo de plantas florales en macetas. Se evaluaron siete sustratos formulados: 1) 1C:1P:1T, 2) 2C:1P:1T,3) 1C:2P:2T, 4) 2C:1P:2T, 5) 2C:2P:1T, 6) 1C:4P:2T y 7) 2C:4P:1T, un sustrato local (Pinocha + turba subtropical + suelo mineral) y uno comercial (Turba rubia y negra + perlita + vermiculita). En todos se analizó densidad aparente, espacio poroso total (EPT), capacidad de retención de agua (CRA), porosidad de aire (PA), granulometría, pH y conductividad eléctrica (CE). Se realizó un ensayo con Viola tricolor var. Yellow, otro con Petunia hybrida var. White y otro con Salvia splendes var. rojo. Cada uno de ellos constó de nueve tratamientos (sustratos evaluados) y 10 repeticiones. Al finalizar los ensayos se contabilizaron los pimpollos y flores, longitud y diámetro del tallo, masa seca aérea y radicular. Los sustratos formulados y el comercial presentaron baja densidad aparente (<0,4 g cm-3). El sustrato local tuvo la mayor densidad aparente y porcentaje en la fracción granulométrica 3,35 mm fue mayor en el sustrato 6, 7 y comercial, esto explicó el alto porcentaje de PA en los dos primeros. Los sustratos 6 y 7 presentaron los menores valores en el porcentaje de la fracción <1 mm, coincidiendo con su menor CRA. El pH y la CE de todos los sustratos fueron adecuados (pH: 5,5-6,3 y CE: <1dS m-1 (1+5 v/v)). Los sustratos formulados produjeron plantines florales de calidad, pero se destacaron los sustratos 1, 2, 3, 4 y 5 por lograr mayor valor absoluto en la mayoría de las variables. Estos sustratos presentaron una relación agua/aire más equilibrada (PA 35%).INTA, Instituto de FloriculturaFil: Barbaro, Lorena Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; ArgentinaFil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Imhoff, Silvia del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morisigue, Daniel Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; Argentin