Project analyzes soil physical indicators

Understanding the characteristics of the soil in depth is essential for any agricultural endeavor. To guide and organize some important information in this regard, researchers from Paraná are analyzing the physical indicators that can be used to monitor soil quality. The subproject “Soil physical indicators in soil management and conservation systems in the Center-South region of Paraná” has been conducted in an area in the district of Entre Rios, in Guarapuava (Center South). The work is part of the project “Management and conservation of soil and water in the Central-South region of Paraná”, part of the Integrated Program for Management and Conservation of Soil and Water in Paraná, which is part of the Paraná Network of Support for Agricultural Research and Training Applied, an initiative that has financial support from SENAR-PR.

The work included three different management systems: in an area without a terrace and sowing in the largest cultivation alignment; level cultivation and cover crops in autumn; and with the presence of a terrace and cultivated on a level. All areas were managed under the Direct Planting System (SPD). Two criteria were evaluated: resistance to penetration and soil porosity.

Since the project began in 2017, three analyzes have already been carried out and two more should be carried out soon, on average one per year. According to researcher Leandro Rampim, heading this subproject, the research is long-term, requiring evaluations over the years to understand all the physical indicators that are being tested.

“This work will provide support to improve soil analysis on the property, pointing out which indicators are best to be used. With this, both technical assistance and the producer will be able to make more precise indications and evaluate these systems over time”, he states.

According to the researcher, the results of the evaluations in the three management systems, so far, demonstrate lower soil resistance to penetration and greater soil porosity in the 0,0 - 0,1 m layer (most superficial) and greater soil resistance. soil penetration and lower soil porosity in the 0,1 - 0,2 m deep layer, probably due to the greater amount of organic matter in the surface layer of the soil.

It is worth remembering that more compacted and less porous soils make it difficult for seedlings to emerge and roots to penetrate, as well as water infiltration. In this way, adequate soil management is directly related to the success of the production system, allowing greater plant development, better use of water and nutrients and a lower risk of erosion.

Long-term research and its results will be able to help researchers, rural producers and agricultural technicians to identify the most appropriate indicators to monitor the physical quality of the soil in each region.