Sustainable management preserves soil porosity in the Cerrado

Researchers from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) and Embrapa conducted a study to evaluate soil porosity in different agricultural management systems in the Cerrado Biome. The survey showed that sustainable agricultural practices can preserve soil characteristics, such as porosity and aggregation, at levels comparable to those in native forest areas. According to the study, adequate soil management favors the deposition of organic matter, which is essential for the health of the ecosystem and the development of crops and pastures.

Érika Pinheiro, a researcher at UFRRJ, explains that soil density is a crucial factor that directly influences porosity, water infiltration capacity, root growth and plant emergence. According to her, these aspects are crucial for agricultural productivity, especially in Cerrado soils, which have unique characteristics and require specific care. "The study evaluated soil porosity under different agricultural management systems in comparison with an area of ​​native forest in the Cerrado biome, in the municipality of João Pinheiro, MG," Pinheiro explained.

To conduct the study, researchers collected soil samples from different areas of cultivation and management in the Cerrado. The samples were used to determine soil density and porosity quality in three types of management: conventional corn planting, productive pasture with mombaça grass, and an area of ​​preserved dense Cerrado, used as a reference for comparison and as a strategy for the MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) protocol for the PRS Cerrados Project, explains Celso Manzatto, researcher at Embrapa Meio Ambiente.

The analysis revealed that, in the conventional corn planting system, soil density and porosity were similar to those observed in native forest areas and pastures. According to researcher Celso Manzatto, from Embrapa Meio Ambiente, this similarity is due to the area's history of use for Brachiaria cultivation, which helped to enrich the soil with organic matter via the root system.

Letícia Pimenta, also a researcher at UFRRJ, reports that the area designated for corn planting had a period of pumpkin cultivation under direct planting the previous year, which helped reduce soil compaction, as the system did not involve the use of heavy machinery for turning. This interval between crops and the absence of mechanized operations helped maintain the soil structure more favorable to water infiltration and root growth.

In productive pasture areas, soil porosity conservation was explained by a series of management practices aimed at controlling the impact of livestock activity. According to David Campos, a researcher at Embrapa Solos, the controlled use of animal stocking rates and rotation between paddocks allow the Mombaça grass to have recovery periods, which contributes to the preservation of soil structure and, consequently, its porosity.

This practice, according to experts, reduces the risk of compaction caused by excessive trampling by cattle, in addition to promoting the development of a more robust root system, capable of contributing to the maintenance and increase of organic matter in the soil.

Importance of proper management for the Cerrado Biome

Preserving the soil structure in the Cerrado is essential for the sustainability of the biome and for maintaining agricultural productivity in the long term. The Cerrado, one of the regions richest in biodiversity on the planet, is also one of the ecosystems most susceptible to environmental impacts. Inadequate soil management can lead to soil compaction, reduced water infiltration capacity and reduced support for plant roots.

The research conducted by the UFRRJ and Embrapa teams reinforces the importance of management practices that maintain soil conditions similar to those of native areas, even in agricultural and livestock production scenarios. This approach, which includes the use of well-managed pastures and direct planting practices, proves to be essential for the conservation of soil and native vegetation, helping to ensure the resilience of Cerrado soils and food security for future generations. Productive pasture with Massai grass was also evaluated in the porosity study. 

The results of this study provide support for producers and technicians in the agricultural sector to adopt sustainable practices in soil management. The research confirms that it is possible to reconcile production with environmental conservation, especially in ecologically sensitive regions, such as the Cerrado.