Comparative study of soil degradation in the northwest of Paraná state

Abstract

The objectives of an adequate soil management are to obtain and to maintain good yields, without degrading the soil properties. Using some of the same soil profiles described and samples in 1975 in the Northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, five soil profiles; classified as Dark-Red Latosol and Red-Yellow Podzol, were described and classified again in 1982. A comparative study was done among the morphological, chemical and physical soil properties obtained in both sample time, considering the soil management during that time interval. A rapid soil degradation was observed following soil clearing, which slowed down when a minimum was reached. The effects of agriculture use of these soils were noted mainly on losses of the A horizon depth, clay dispersion rate and soil organic matter content among the measured properties.