Growth and decomposition of fine roots and soil quality under integration of agriculture, livestock and forestry systems (São Carlos-SP)

Os sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária (SIPAs) diversificam e intensificam a produção rural, embora ainda careçam de avanços e detalhamento dos processos e mecanismos envolvidos nas relações solo-planta-atmosfera, essenciais para adaptá-los e modelá-los para as diferentes eco-regiões e condições edafoclimáticas. Esse estudo investigou os efeitos da intensificação de sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária na quantidade, qualidade e origem da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e na dinâmica do crescimento e da decomposição radicular de espécies vegetais durante os períodos de lavoura e de pastejo. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste no estado de São Paulo, região sudeste do Brasil. Dois SIPAs foram avaliados: integração-lavoura-pecuária (ILP) e integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (ILPF). Duas áreas de referência foram utilizadas: pastagem extensiva (não degradada) e floresta estacional semidecidual (somente para avaliações sobre a MOS). Duas épocas de avaliação foram consideradas: período lavoura (verão de 2014/15) e período pastagem (inverno de 2015 e verão de 2015/16). A quantidade (teores e estoques de C e N), a qualidade (índices de manejo de C, frações leve, particulada e mineral) e a origem (?13C e ?15N) da MOS na camada de 0-0,40 m, e o crescimento e a decomposição dos sistemas radiculares das espécies vegetais e o fluxo de água no perfil do solo (0-70 cm) foram avaliados durante os períodos de lavoura e de pastagem. Adicionalmente, na ILPF também foram avaliados estes parâmetros de plantas e solos em três distâncias das linhas de cultivo do eucalipto (1,9; 4,5 e 7,3 m). Converter a pastagem extensiva em ILP resultou em: (i) aumento da disponibilidade de nutrientes (Ca, Mg, K e P) no solo; (ii) incrementos nos estoques de C e N, bem como de frações lábeis da MOS; (iii) manutenção de maiores conteúdos de água no solo; e, (iv) ciclagem do C e N, com maiores produção e decomposição de raízes, inclusive em camadas mais profundas do solo. Implementar a ILPF sob área utilizada para ILP promoveu os seguintes efeitos: (i) redução nos conteúdos de água no solo; (ii) perdas nos teores das frações lábeis da MOS (iii) limitações na produção de raízes no período de lavoura (principalmente em locais próximos as árvores) e incrementos na decomposição radicular, acarretando em maiores taxas de ciclagem das raízes no solo; (iv) aumentos na ciclagem do C e N; e, (v) ocorrências de associações simbióticas nas raízes, tais como os fungos ectomicorrízicos, perceptíveis pela técnica de análises radiculares com uso de minirhizotron. De acordo com os resultados encontrados, sugere-se que o arranjo das árvores na ILPF seja reestruturado a partir do quarto ano de idade, quando estas limitaram o crescimento radicular e o aporte de matéria orgânica lábil, além de reduzir os conteúdos de água no solo. Entretanto, recomenda-se a intensificação da produção sob condições tropicais, pois a quantidade e a qualidade da MOS, e a produtividade e aprofundamento do sistema radicular foram incrementados ao longo do tempo sob SIPAs, principalmente na ILPIntegrated farming systems (IS) diversify and intensify rural production, although there are still gaps in advancing and detailing of the processes and mechanisms involved in the soil-plant-atmosphere relations, which are essential to adapt and model these systems for the different eco-regions and edafoclimatic conditions. This study investigated the effects of the intensification of IS on the quantity, quality and origin of soil organic matter (SOM) and on root growth and decomposition dynamics of plant species during cropping and grazing periods. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, state of São Paulo, southeast region of Brazil. Two IS were evaluated: integrated crop-livestock system (ICL) and integrated crop-livestock-forest system (ICLF). Two references areas were used: extensive grazing (not degraded) and a semideciduous seasonal forest (only for SOM evaluations). Two evaluation periods were considered: cropping (summer of 2014/15) and grazing period (winter of 2015 and summer and winter of 2015/16). The quantity (C and N contents and stocks), quality (C management indexes, light, particulate and mineral SOM fractions) and the origin (?13C and ?15N) of SOM in the 0-0.40 m layer, and the growth and decomposition of the root systems of the plant species and water flow in the soil profile (0-0.7 m) were evaluated during cropping and grazing periods. In addition, in ICLF also these parameters of plants and soils were evaluated at three distances of eucalyptus rows (1.9, 4.5 and 7.3 m). The conversion of extensive grazing to ICL system resulted in: (i) increased availability of nutrients (Ca, Mg, K and P) in the soil; (ii) increases in C and N stocks, as well as labile fractions of SOM; (iii) maintenance of greater water content in the soil; and (iv) cycling of C and N, with higher root production and decomposition, even in deeper layers of the soil. Implementing the ICLF under the area used for ICL promoted the following effects: (i) reduction in soil water content; (iii) limitations in the root production in the cropping season (mainly in places near the trees) and increases in the root decomposition, resulting in higher cycling rates of the roots in the soil; (iv) increases in C and N cycling; and, (v) occurrence of symbiotic associations with the roots, such as ectomycorrhizal fungi, which were perceptible by the technique of root analysis using minirhizotrons. According to the results, it is suggested that the arrangement of the trees in the ICLF system need to be restructured after the fourth year of age, when they limited the root growth and the amount of labile organic matter, besides reducing the contents of water in the soil. However, farming intensification is recommended under tropical conditions, as the SOM quantity and quality, and the productivity and deepening of the root system were increased during cultivations in the IS, especially in the ICL syste

Growth and decomposition of fine roots and soil quality under integration of agriculture, livestock and forestry systems (São Carlos-SP)

Os sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária (SIPAs) diversificam e intensificam a produção rural, embora ainda careçam de avanços e detalhamento dos processos e mecanismos envolvidos nas relações solo-planta-atmosfera, essenciais para adaptá-los e modelá-los para as diferentes eco-regiões e condições edafoclimáticas. Esse estudo investigou os efeitos da intensificação de sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária na quantidade, qualidade e origem da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e na dinâmica do crescimento e da decomposição radicular de espécies vegetais durante os períodos de lavoura e de pastejo. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste no estado de São Paulo, região sudeste do Brasil. Dois SIPAs foram avaliados: integração-lavoura-pecuária (ILP) e integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (ILPF). Duas áreas de referência foram utilizadas: pastagem extensiva (não degradada) e floresta estacional semidecidual (somente para avaliações sobre a MOS). Duas épocas de avaliação foram consideradas: período lavoura (verão de 2014/15) e período pastagem (inverno de 2015 e verão de 2015/16). A quantidade (teores e estoques de C e N), a qualidade (índices de manejo de C, frações leve, particulada e mineral) e a origem (?13C e ?15N) da MOS na camada de 0-0,40 m, e o crescimento e a decomposição dos sistemas radiculares das espécies vegetais e o fluxo de água no perfil do solo (0-70 cm) foram avaliados durante os períodos de lavoura e de pastagem. Adicionalmente, na ILPF também foram avaliados estes parâmetros de plantas e solos em três distâncias das linhas de cultivo do eucalipto (1,9; 4,5 e 7,3 m). Converter a pastagem extensiva em ILP resultou em: (i) aumento da disponibilidade de nutrientes (Ca, Mg, K e P) no solo; (ii) incrementos nos estoques de C e N, bem como de frações lábeis da MOS; (iii) manutenção de maiores conteúdos de água no solo; e, (iv) ciclagem do C e N, com maiores produção e decomposição de raízes, inclusive em camadas mais profundas do solo. Implementar a ILPF sob área utilizada para ILP promoveu os seguintes efeitos: (i) redução nos conteúdos de água no solo; (ii) perdas nos teores das frações lábeis da MOS (iii) limitações na produção de raízes no período de lavoura (principalmente em locais próximos as árvores) e incrementos na decomposição radicular, acarretando em maiores taxas de ciclagem das raízes no solo; (iv) aumentos na ciclagem do C e N; e, (v) ocorrências de associações simbióticas nas raízes, tais como os fungos ectomicorrízicos, perceptíveis pela técnica de análises radiculares com uso de minirhizotron. De acordo com os resultados encontrados, sugere-se que o arranjo das árvores na ILPF seja reestruturado a partir do quarto ano de idade, quando estas limitaram o crescimento radicular e o aporte de matéria orgânica lábil, além de reduzir os conteúdos de água no solo. Entretanto, recomenda-se a intensificação da produção sob condições tropicais, pois a quantidade e a qualidade da MOS, e a produtividade e aprofundamento do sistema radicular foram incrementados ao longo do tempo sob SIPAs, principalmente na ILPIntegrated farming systems (IS) diversify and intensify rural production, although there are still gaps in advancing and detailing of the processes and mechanisms involved in the soil-plant-atmosphere relations, which are essential to adapt and model these systems for the different eco-regions and edafoclimatic conditions. This study investigated the effects of the intensification of IS on the quantity, quality and origin of soil organic matter (SOM) and on root growth and decomposition dynamics of plant species during cropping and grazing periods. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, state of São Paulo, southeast region of Brazil. Two IS were evaluated: integrated crop-livestock system (ICL) and integrated crop-livestock-forest system (ICLF). Two references areas were used: extensive grazing (not degraded) and a semideciduous seasonal forest (only for SOM evaluations). Two evaluation periods were considered: cropping (summer of 2014/15) and grazing period (winter of 2015 and summer and winter of 2015/16). The quantity (C and N contents and stocks), quality (C management indexes, light, particulate and mineral SOM fractions) and the origin (?13C and ?15N) of SOM in the 0-0.40 m layer, and the growth and decomposition of the root systems of the plant species and water flow in the soil profile (0-0.7 m) were evaluated during cropping and grazing periods. In addition, in ICLF also these parameters of plants and soils were evaluated at three distances of eucalyptus rows (1.9, 4.5 and 7.3 m). The conversion of extensive grazing to ICL system resulted in: (i) increased availability of nutrients (Ca, Mg, K and P) in the soil; (ii) increases in C and N stocks, as well as labile fractions of SOM; (iii) maintenance of greater water content in the soil; and (iv) cycling of C and N, with higher root production and decomposition, even in deeper layers of the soil. Implementing the ICLF under the area used for ICL promoted the following effects: (i) reduction in soil water content; (iii) limitations in the root production in the cropping season (mainly in places near the trees) and increases in the root decomposition, resulting in higher cycling rates of the roots in the soil; (iv) increases in C and N cycling; and, (v) occurrence of symbiotic associations with the roots, such as ectomycorrhizal fungi, which were perceptible by the technique of root analysis using minirhizotrons. According to the results, it is suggested that the arrangement of the trees in the ICLF system need to be restructured after the fourth year of age, when they limited the root growth and the amount of labile organic matter, besides reducing the contents of water in the soil. However, farming intensification is recommended under tropical conditions, as the SOM quantity and quality, and the productivity and deepening of the root system were increased during cultivations in the IS, especially in the ICL syste

Content and carbon stocks in labile and recalcitrant organic matter of the soil under crop-livestock integration in Cerrado

The study of organic matter and its compartments and their relationship with management, aims to develop strategies for increasing their levels in soils and better understanding of its dynamics. This work aimed to evaluate the fractions of soil organic matter and their carbon stocks in different soil cover system in crop-livestock integration and native Cerrado vegetation. The study was conducted at the farm Cabeceira, Maracajú – MS, sample area have the following history: soybean/corn + brachiaria/cotton/oat + pasture/soybean/formation of pasture/grazing, sampling was carried out in two seasons, dry (May/2009) and rainy (March 2010), in the dry season, crops present were: pasture, corn and cotton + brachiaria and in the rainy season were corn, cotton and soybeans, so the areas in the two evaluation periods were: pasture / maize + brachiaria / cotton, cotton / soybean area and a native of Savanna. Was performed to determine the exchangeable cations, particle size analysis, bulk density, organic carbon, particle size fractionation of organic matter of the soil with the quantification of particulate organic carbon (POC) and organic carbon associated with minerals (OCam). Was also quantified the carbon stock and size fractions. The area of pasture / maize showed higher carbon stock in the particulate fraction in the topsoil. The area of cotton / soy due to its lower clay, showed the greatest loss of carbon. Because of the areas have the same history, the stock of more recalcitrant fraction was not sensitive to variations in coverage. The POC fraction appears more sensitive to different soil covers and seasonality

Caracterização dos agregados em solos sob cultivo no Cerrado, MS

Impacts on the environment and soil biological activity result in changes in the processes of formation of biogenic and fisiogenic aggregates. Aiming to evaluate the influence on physical and biological genesis of aggregates of Cerrado soils and determine the main environmental factors that determine the characteristics of households in the area of production under integrated crop-livestock (ICL), was developed this study in Farm Cabeceira, Maracaju-MS, in areas of ICL. The areas evaluated were: Savana, pasture/maize, corn/cotton and cotton/soybeans being evaluated during the dry (May/2009) and rainy (March 2010) season. To identify the pathways of aggregation were used morphological patterns, and established three clusters: fisiogenic, biogenic and intermediates. The aggregates were analyzed for exchangeable cations, carbon and aggregate stability, soil was analyzed for the exchangeable cations, particle size fractionation of soil organic matter, oxidizable fractions of total organic carbon, particle size analysis and soil macrofauna. In all areas studied, in the dry season, the highest values were quantified aggregate intermediates, while in the rainy season, in general, no differences were observed aggregates formed by different routes in areas except cotton/soybeans. The aggregates showed positive correlation with biogenic carbon and were found in lesser amounts compared to fisiogenic and intermediates. The different types of aggregates formed, besides having different characteristics morphological also differ as to chemical characteristics

Frações oxidáveis e granulométricas da matéria orgânica em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária

The identification of the labile and recalcitrant forms of soil organic matter (SOM) allows to rapidly define, or even predict if the management used favors increments or losses of carbon in the soil. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the effects of different grazing intensities and soybean crops on the oxidizable and granulometric fractions of the SOM in a crop-livestock integration combined with no-tillage system (CLI-NTS), established in 2009 in the Goiás Federal University. The treatments consisted of three different pasture heights (0.25 m P25; 0.35 m P35; 0.45 m P45), and areas without grazing (AWG), and a native vegetation area of the Cerrado biome (NCA), adjacent to the experimental area, was evaluated as references and compared with the cultivated areas. Soil samples (Oxisol - USDA; typic distroferric Red Latosol - SiBCS) were collected in the layers 0.00-0.05; 0.05-0.10 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m of each area, and arranged in a completely randomized experimental design with six replications. The soil total carbon was quantified (TC) by dry combustion. The SOM granulometry and oxidizable SOM were fractionated into particulate carbon (OCp), carbon bond with minerals (OCm) and four oxidizable fractions with increasing degrees of recalcitrance (F1 < F2 < F3 < F4). These soil attributes were evaluated at two different times, representing the post-pasture cycle (PP) and post-soybean crop (PC) periods. The lower contents of total soil carbon (TC) were found in the F1 and F3 fractions of the area without grazing, suggesting that the crop-livestock integration increases the organic matter content in the soil surface layer regardless of the pasture height. The areas without grazing and with different pasture heights in CLI had similar contents of OCp and OCm due to the experiment short time of implementation (3 years). The fractionation of the oxidizable SOM was more sensitive in differentiating the treatments, showing that the higher intensity of grazing used (P25) provided a better balance of carbon accumulation between the SOM labile and recalcitrant fractions.Por meio da identificação de formas lábeis e recalcitrantes da matéria orgânica do solo (SOM) se torna possível definir de forma mais imediata, ou até prever se o manejo favorece e/ou favorecerá incrementos ou perdas de carbono no solo. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de pastejo e cultivo da soja nas frações oxidáveis e granulométricas da SOM em um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária associado ao plantio direto (ILP-SPD), implantado em 2009, na Universidade Federal Goiás, GO. Os cinco tratamentos estudados consistiram de diferentes alturas de manejo do pasto (P25: 0,25 m; P35: 0,35 m; e P45: 0,45 m), além de áreas controle sem pastejo (SP) e uma área de vegetação nativa de cerrado (cerradão) (CE) adjacente ao experimento utilizada como referência para comparação com as áreas cultivadas. Em cada área, amostras de um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distroférrico foram coletadas nas camadas de 0,0-0,05; 0,05-0,10; 0,10-0,20; 0,20-0,40 m em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 6 repetições. Foi quantificado o carbono total (CT) por combustão a seco. Também foi realizado o fracionamento granulométrico e oxidável da MOS, obtendo-se as frações, carbono particulado (COp), carbono associado aos minerais (COam) e as quatro frações oxidáveis com graus crescentes de recalcitrância (F1 < F2 < F3 < F4). Tais atributos foram avaliados em duas épocas distintas: uma pós-ciclo de pastejo (PP) e outra pós-lavoura de soja (PL). Os menores teores de carbono total do solo (C), fração F1 e fração F3 da área não pastejada, sugerem que a integração lavoura pecuária, independentemente da altura de manejo da pastagem, está incrementando o teor de matéria orgânica na camada superficial do solo. Devido à recente implantação do experimento (3 anos), não foi constatado diferenças nos teores de COp e COam entre as áreas sem pastagem e as diferentes alturas de manejo de pasto na ILP. O fracionamento oxidável da MOS mostrou-se mais sensível na diferenciação dos tratamentos estudados, evidenciando que a maior intensidade de pastejo (P25) está proporcionando um maior equilíbrio no acúmulo de carbono entre frações lábeis e recalcitrantes da MOS

SOIL QUALITY UNDER AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS AND TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST BIOME

In the present study, we evaluated the influence of agroforestry systems and traditional agriculture on the physical attributes and biologicals of soil, using as reference a native forest area in Paraty, RJ. Levels of total soil organic carbon, as well as oxidizable fractions and aggregate stability, were analyzed, in addition to the activity and carbon and nitrogen content in the soil microbial biomass, in the 0-5 cm layer, in two distinct seasons (dry and rainy seasons). The agroforestry systems and traditional agriculture maintain high levels of total organic carbon and its storage in more stable fractions. These systems provide the same conditions as those of the forest area for the aggregation of the soil. The microbial biomass was more responsive to variations in management and seasonality. The deployment of agroforestry systems contributes to the formation of a more diversified agricultural matrix, promoting improvements in the soil quality and connection with the remaining adjacent forest

Oxidizable fractions of total organic carbon and soil macrofauna in a crop-livestock integration system

The increasing level of land degradation has led to the adoption of agricultural management practices that seek to combine agricultural production and soil conservation. Among these, the practice of Crop-Livestock Integration (CLI) has intensified in West-Central Brazil. In order to assess the long-term effect of the CLI system and seasonality on the community of soil macrofauna and oxidizable fractions of total organic C in croplands and the Cerradão (Brazilian tropical savanna), a study was developed at the Cabeceira Farm in the municipality of Maracaju, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, which measured the effect of CLI on oxidizable fractions of total organic C and soil macrofauna. The CLI system has been used in this area since 2003. The soil was identified as a Latossolo Vermelho (Ferrasol), on flat land. The areas sampled have the following history of use: soybean/corn + brachiaria grass/cotton/oat + pasture/soybean/implantation of pasture/pasture. Sampling was carried out in two seasons, dry and wet. In the dry season, the crops were pasture, corn+brachiaria grass and cotton; in the rainy season there were corn+brachiaria grass, cotton, and soybeans. Thus, the areas in the two evaluation periods were pasture/corn, corn+brachiaria/cotton, cotton/soybeans, and an area of native Cerrado. Sampling was performed at the depths of 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm, and the following determinations were made: analysis of soil macrofauna, particle size fractionation of soil organic matter (SOM), and oxidizable fractions of total organic C. The areas do not have an experimental design as this is an observational study. Data were compared by the Kruskal Wallis test at 5 % probability and through analysis of redundancy. Compartmentalization of SOM can be used to assess the quality of management, with the most sensitive compartments being the F1 and F2 fractions in the assessment of oxidizable fractions. These fractions are more labile in the soil, whereas the F3 and F4 fractions are more recalcitrant. Isoptera (termites) may be acting as a wetting agent of organic matter in the Cerrado area, contributing to higher levels of F3 and F4, compared to F1 and F2, in the dry season. This pattern was only observed in the Cerrado area since in the production areas, Isoptera is controlled by management practices. The lack of these insects in the CLI system may be reducing the stabilization of SOM in the F3 and F4 fractions.O crescente nível de degradação das terras tem promovido a adoção de manejos agrícolas que busque aliar a produção agropecuária à conservação do solo. Entre esses, a prática da Integração Lavoura-Pecuária (ILP) tem intensificado-se no Centro-Oeste brasileiro. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito em longo prazo do sistema ILP e da sazonalidade, sob a comunidade da macrofauna edáfica e das frações oxidáveis do carbono orgânico total (COT) em áreas de cultivo e Cerradão, foi desenvolvido na Fazenda Cabeceira no município de Maracaju, MS, um estudo em que se mensurou a influência da ILP sobre as frações oxidáveis do COT e sobre a macrofauna edáfica. O sistema ILP está sendo utilizado nessa área desde 2003; o solo foi identificado como Latossolo Vermelho, localizado em área de relevo plano. As áreas amostradas possuem o seguinte histórico: soja/milho + braquiária/algodão/ aveia + pastagem/soja/formação da pastagem/pastagem; as amostragens foram realizadas na época seca, em que as culturas presentes eram pasto, milho+braquiária e algodão; e na chuvosa, com milho+braquiária, algodão e soja. Assim, as áreas nas duas épocas de avaliação foram: pasto/milho, milho+braquiária/ algodão, algodão/soja e uma área nativa de Cerradão. A amostragem foi realizada nas profundidades de 0-10, 10-20 e 20-30 cm, sendo feitas as seguintes determinações: análise da macrofauna edáfica, fracionamento granulométrico da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e frações oxidáveis do COT. As áreas não apresentavam delineamento experimental, sendo este um estudo de observação. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste de Kruskal Wallis a 5 % e por meio da análise de redundância. A compartimentalização da MOS pode ser utilizada para a avaliação da qualidade do manejo, sendo os compartimentos mais sensíveis as frações F1 e F2 de frações oxidáveis, pois são mais lábeis no solo, já as frações F3 e F4 são as mais recalcitrantes. Isoptera (cupim) pode estar atuando como agente humificador da matéria orgânica na área de Cerradão, contribuindo para maiores teores de F3 e F4, em relação à F1 e F2 na época seca. Esse padrão somente foi verificado na área de Cerradão, visto que nas áreas de produção, Isoptera é controlado pelo manejo. A falta desse inseto no sistema ILP pode estar reduzindo a estabilização da MOS nas frações F3 e F4

Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, light organic matter, and remaining phosphorus under a crop-livestock integration system

A integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), combinada ao sistema plantio direto (SPD), é um sistema de manejo que tem sido desenvolvido para diversas condições edafoclimáticas, com muitas variações no Brasil, principalmente quanto a intensidade de pastejo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de pastejo e cultivo da soja (Glycine max L.) nos estoques de carbono (EstC) e nitrogênio (EstN), matéria orgânica leve (MOL), conteúdo de raízes na MOL (RMOL) e fósforo remanescente (Prem) em um Latossolo sob ILP. Os tratamentos consistiram em três diferentes alturas de manejo do pasto na ILP (0,25 m [P25], 0,35 m [P35], e 0,45 m [P45]). Duas áreas de controle, uma sem pastejo (SP) e uma área de vegetação nativa de cerrado (cerradão) (CE), que estiveram adjacentes ao experimento, foram comparadas com as áreas cultivadas. Em cada área as amostras foram coletadas nas camadas de 0,0-0,05; 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20 m em delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado com 6 repetições. Os atributos do solo foram avaliados pós-ciclo de pastejo (PP) e pós-lavoura de soja (PL), que coincidiram com as estações seca e chuvosa, respectivamente. O CE apresentou maiores conteúdos de MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m em ambas épocas PP e PL, C na MOL na camada 0,0-0,020 m durante o PP e a PL, N na MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m durante o PP e a PL, EstC na camada de 0,0-0,020 m em ambos PP e PL em relação às áreas cultivadas, entretanto menores valores de densidade do solo (Ds) e Prem na camada de 0,0-0,020 m durante o PP e a PL. O tratamento (P35) incrementou EstN na PL e RMOL no PP em relação aos outros cultivos P25, P45 e SP. A ausência de pastejo da área SP reduziu a Ds do PP para a PL, enquanto os tratamentos com diferentes intensidades de pastejo mantiveram estabilizados seus valores neste período. Os nossos resultados sugerem que a produção pode ser intensificada sob intensidades baixa e moderada de pastejo na ILP avaliada.Crop-livestock integration (CLI) is a management system that has been developed for a variety of soil and climatic conditions, which combined with the no-tillage system (NTS), has many variations in Brazil, particularly regarding grazing intensity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different grazing intensities and soybean (Glycine max L.) crops on carbon (Cst) and nitrogen (Nst) stocks, light organic matter (LOM), root content of the LOM (RLOM), and remaining phosphorus (Prem) in an Oxisol under CLI. The treatments consisted of three different heights (0.25 m [P25], 0.35 m [P35], and 0.45 m [P45]) of pasture grown in a CLI system. Two control areas, an area without grazing (AWG) and a native vegetation area of the Cerrado biome (NCA), which were adjacent to the experimental area, were compared with the cultivated areas. Soil samples were collected from 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m beneath each area in a completely randomized design with six replications. Soil characteristics were evaluated in the post-pasture cycle period (PP) and the post-soybean crop period (PC), which coincided with the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The NCA had more LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer during the PC and the 0.05-0.10 m layer during both the PP and the PC, C in the LOM in the 0.00-0.20 m layer during the PP and the PC, N in the LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer in the PC and the 0.05-0.10 m layer in the PP and the PC, and Cst in the 0.00-0.20 m layer in the PP and the PC than the cultivated areas, but a lower soil density (SD) and Prem in the 0.00-0.20 m layer during both the PP and the PC. Treatment P35 had more Nst in the PC and RLOM in the PP than the other cultivated treatments and the AWG. The absence of grazing in the AWG decreased the SD from the PP to the PC, while the treatments with different grazing intensities had similar values throughout this period. Our results suggest that production could be intensified under light and moderate grazing intensities in the CLI system

Soil quality literature in Brazil: A systematic review

texto completoBrazilian soil scientists have increased the use of the term “soil quality” in their scientific publications in the last decade. However, it remains unclear if those publications only mention “soil quality” in a broad context, or the studies are focused on soil quality assessments, integrating soil chemical, physical and biological indicators. The objective of this systematic review was to carry out a critical analysis of the conception in using the term “soil quality” in recent publications derived from studies performed in Brazil. For this purpose, the terms [(“soil health” or “soil quality” or “qualidade do solo”) and (“Brazil*” or “Brasil*”)] were searched in databases of Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo from 2014 to 2021. Initially, 1,284 peer-reviewed papers were found, subsequently selected according to the criteria established in two filters: (i) First filter - studies carried out in Brazil, which mentioned at least one of the terms of interest (“soil health” or “soil quality” or “qualidade do solo”) and that evaluated soil biological, physical or chemical indicators, assessing at least one of them; (ii) Second filter - studies in which all three groups of soil indicators were assessed and integrated, and presented a specific discussion about soil quality. According to the results, 36 % of the papers met the first criteria (n = 464), and only 2 % (n = 30) attended the second filter. The terms “soil health” or “soil quality” or “qualidade do solo” were mentioned 7 and 37 times per paper for those papers selected in the first and second filter, respectively. We evidenced in our study that the term soil quality in agricultural science papers has been predominantly used in a broad context, mostly to refer to the suitable soil conditions for plant growth. Thus, we concluded that even if the use of soil quality term is increasing in Brazilian literature, there are still very few researchers working specifically with soil quality assessments, in its full conception (i.e., integrating chemical, physical and biological indicators). Therefore, there is a promising research field to be explored to promote scientific advances in the soil quality area (e.g., new concepts, assessment frameworks, on-farm monitoring protocols), as well as disseminate the soil quality assessment among the Brazilian farmers, environmentalists, and other stakeholders