Soil physical study and soil management

Abstract

The author presents an analytical study of dense soil layers found in soils of the “Tabuleiro” of the northern region the State of Pernambuco. All of the soils are developed from sand clay sediments of the “ Barreiras” Series. Five soil profiles from different locations have been studied as follows: Experimental Station of Curado, Recife, and Experimental Station of Itapirema, Goiana, both of the Northeast Regional Institute (IPEANE). One at Engenho Mussurepe, Paudalho, and Engenho Dágua, Igaraçu, with two locations. The studies were conducted on soil samples collected by means of a soil extractor (Uhland apparatus) from the soil surface and dense soil layers. The samples were characterized by the permeability coefficient, total porosity and macro and micro porosity. Because of the common occurrence of these hard pans in the soils, the author concludes by recommending the importance of subsoil treatment in order to obtain greater accumulation of water in the soil profile, greater root penetration, less possibility of erosion by run-off and leaching, and consequently improved conditions for an increase in productivity of the soils. The author calls to the attention of the conservation technicians the necessity of identifying in the soil survey studies the presence of dense soil as an important aspect of agricultural land use planning. The work includes a morphological description of each one of the soil and defines their respective physical characteristics.