Alteration of chemical characteristics of an oxisol under irrigation

Abstract

This work consisted in evaluating the chemical and physical characteristics of an oxisol after seven years of intensive use under irrigation. This evaluation was carried out through comparisons of analytical results of soil samples collected at depths of 0-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm, at Petrolina State of Pernambuco, Brazil, with results of the soil before cultivation. The pH was not modified under the intensive soil and water management, but the electrical conductivity, calcium and magnesium, increased in the whole profile. Sodium decreased in the first layer, but increased with depth. For potassium and "available phosphorus", there was a clear increment of these nutrients in the upper 30 cm layer, decreasing with depth, mainly for "available phosphorus".