Properties of a Fragiudult in Alagoas State, Brazil, under continuous sugarcane cultivation

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the modifications on morphological and physical properties of a Fragiudult caused by continuous sugarcane cultivation in the Low Coastal Tablelands region of Alagoas State, Brazil. Three sites were selected, one from native forest and two cultivated with sugarcane for periods of two and thirty years. The sugarcane cultivation promoted morphological changes on the soil surface with the development of an Ap horizon, and changed the soil structure of the two upper horizons. The morphological changes, however, were not expressive due to the small clay content of the horizons. The cropping practices adopted decreased macroporosity and, consequently, increased the soil water availability. Land use increased microporosity and decreased significantly the hydraulic conductivity of the surface horizons. Significant changes in bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, wilting point, and in the size and distribution of aggregates were not observed. The development of compaction on the Ap and AB horizons as a result of sugarcane cultivation, and the presence of a dense layer (cohesion) in the Bt horizon of all soil profiles were observed.