The Effect of Soil Management on Pore Size Distribution and Water Infiltration

Abstract Water infiltration into soil varies significantly with soil type and management practices. Management practices alter soil physical properties, such as porosity and pore size distribution, which play an important role in infiltration. This study was conducted to assess the effect of the long-term use of two different soil tillage systems (conventional, CT, and no-tillage, NT) on soil structure and water infiltration to understanding of the relationship between physical conditions induced by tillage and water infiltration. The experiments were carried out on a Humic Cambisol in southern Brazil from 1995 to 2016. Soil density, porosity, aggregate diameter and soil water infiltration were evaluated under conventional tillage right after one plowing and two subsequent discings (CT0), and six months after these tillage operations (CT6). The results show that different management systems affect differently soil physical properties and, thus, water infiltration. By mechanical mobilization CT brings about modifications in soil structure which promote an increase in total porosity and mesopority, and a decrease in soil microporosity. This in turn results in an increase in the proportion of larger pores in the plow layer and a decrease in soil density, but also in a decrease in aggregate stability. The CT0 measurements showed the highest infiltration rates which were up to 15 times greater than in the NT treatment. The higher infiltration rate in CT0 wears off with time, but in the CT6 measurements six months after tillage it was still 2 times higher than under NT. Tillage, at least initially, increases total porosity and mesoporosity, while at the same time decreasing microporosity. This results in a larger saturated hydraulic conductivity (K). An increase in total porosity alone does not necessarily increase K, if there is an increase in small pores at the cost of decreasing the number of larger pores.

Soil losses in the State of Rondônia, Brazil / Perdas de solo no Estado de Rondônia, Brasil

ABSTRACT: In the state of Rondônia, deforestation, and inadequate soil use and management have intensified the water erosion process, causing degradation of agricultural land. Modeling is a tool that can assist in the adoption of targeted and effective measures for soil and water conservation in the region. In this context, the objective of the research was to model soil losses due to water erosion in the state of Rondônia using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The parameters related to rain erosivity, relief, erodibility, and soil cover, as well as the conservation practices of the state of Rondônia, were considered. The modeling steps were performed with the aid of the Geographic Information System. Results were validated with data of total sediments transported with water discharge. The estimated total soil loss was about 605 million tons per year, corresponding to an average loss of 22.50 Mg ha-1 year-1. In 19% of the state, the erosion rate was higher than the soil loss tolerance(T), and these areas should be prioritized for adopting measures to mitigate the erosion process. The RUSLE underestimated the generation of sediments at 0.56 Mg ha-1 year-1, which corresponds to an error of 18.60%. Results obtained can assist in the development of different soil use and management scenarios and provide options for policymakers to encourage soil conservation in the state of Rondônia.

RESUMO: No Estado de Rondônia, o desmatamento, o uso e o manejo inadequado dos solos têm intensificado o processo de erosão hídrica, gerando a degradação de terras agrícolas. Nesse cenário, a modelagem é uma ferramenta que pode auxiliar na adoção de medidas direcionadas e eficazes de conservação do solo e da água na região. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi modelar as perdas de solo por erosão hídrica no Estado de Rondônia utilizando a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada (RUSLE). Foram considerados os parâmetros referentes a erosividade da chuva, relevo, erodibilidade e cobertura do solo e as práticas conservacionistas do Estado de Rondônia. As etapas da modelagem foram realizadas com auxílio de Sistema de Informações Geográficas. Os resultados foram validados com dados de coleta de sedimentos totais transportados com a descarga d'água. A perda de solo total estimada foi cerca de 605 milhões de toneladas ao ano, correspondente a uma perda média de 22,50 Mg ha-1 ano-1. Em 19% do Estado a taxa erosiva foi superior aos limites de tolerância de perda de solo (TPS), sendo que essas áreas devem ser priorizadas para adoção de medidas de mitigação do processo erosivo. A RUSLE subestimou a geração de sedimentos em 0,56 Mg ha-1 ano-1, o que corresponde a um erro de 18,60%. Os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para elaborar distintos cenários de manejo e uso do solo e fornecer alternativas aos formuladores de políticas agrícolas e ambientais, com o intuito de incentivo a conservação do solo no Estado de Rondônia.

Modelagem espacial da erosão hídrica do solo associada à sazonalidade agroclimática na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Spatial modeling of soil water erosion associated with agroclimatic seasonality in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

RESUMO A erosão hídrica constitui um sério problema de degradação do solo, com impacto em diversas áreas. Sua mensuração é de extrema importância e onerosa. Os modelos empíricos de estimativa de perdas de solo, como a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada (RUSLE), são utilizados para suprir essa demanda. Consideram-se poucos estudos no Brasil que avaliam o efeito da sazonalidade agroclimática nas estimativas de perda de solo por erosão hídrica em bacias hidrográficas. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sazonalidade agroclimática na estimativa de perdas de solo por meio da RUSLE e identificar os fatores que controlam a erosão na Bacia Hidrográfica do Arroio Fragata (BHAF). O fator erosividade da chuva (R) e a média anual de precipitação foram calculados por meio de dados de quatro estações pluviométricas.. O fator erodibilidade do solo (K) foi obtido a partir de informações de solo. O fator topográfico (LS) foi gerado com base no modelo digital de elevação (MDE) e o fator cobertura do solo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) por meio de imagens do satélite Landsat8/OLI. A variação sazonal teve efeito na perda de solo, com maiores taxas de erosão no período de verão e primavera. Perdas de solo entre 5 e 50 Mg ha-1ano-1 foram registradas em 24% da BHAF, associadas a períodos de chuvas mais erosivas, maior declividade e baixa cobertura vegetal. Os fatores da RUSLE com maior contribuição na erosão foram R, LS e CP. A abordagem apresentada pode ser útil para quantificar as perdas de solo em bacias hidrográficas.

ABSTRACT Water erosion is a serious soil degradation problem, with impact in several areas. Its measurement is extremely important and costly. Empirical models of soil loss estimation, such as the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), are used to meet this demand. Few studies in Brazil are considered to evaluate the effect on agroclimatic seasonality in the estimates of soil loss due to water erosion in watersheds. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agroclimatic seasonality in the estimation of soil losses through RUSLE and to identify the factors that control erosion in the watershed of the Fragata stream. Rainfall erosivity (R) was calculated by means of precipitation data for four seasons and annual average. The soil erodibility factor (K) was obtained from soil information. The topographic factor (LS) was generated from the Digital Elevation Model (MDE) and the soil cover factor and conservationist practices (CP) through Landsat8/OLI satellite images. Seasonal variation had an effect on soil loss, with higher erosion rates in the summer and spring months. Soil losses between 5 and 50 Mg ha-1ano-1 were recorded in 24% of the BHAF, associated with periods of more erosive rainfall, higher slope and low vegetation cover. RUSLE factors with the greatest contribution to erosion were R, LS, and CP. The approach presented can be useful in quantifying soil losses in river basins.

Composition of the soil fauna community and leaf litter stock in agro-forestry systems and secondary forestry / Composição da comunidade da fauna do solo e estoque da serapilheira foliar em sistemas agroflorestais e floresta secundária

Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS), in addition to being a means of providing income, can be considered an alternative way of helping conserve biodiversity, both above and below ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of tree leaf litter and its nutrient content as well as the composition of fauna in the soil-litter layer in two Agro-Forestry Systems (AFS-1 and AFS-2), using as reference an area of secondary Forest (SF), in the Quilombola do Campinho da Independência community, Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. The collection of accumulated leaf litter and soil-litter fauna was carried out from four sample points in each area and at two different seasons of the year, the rainy and the dry season. The leaf litter stock and its nutrient content (Ca, Mg, P, K and N) were measured. The extraction of fauna was carried out according to Tüllgren's method, modifying the Berlese funnel. The stock of accumulated leaf litter differed between the two areas only in the rainy season; the amounts were smaller in AFS-2. In general, the Agro-Forestry Systems were very similar to the secondary forest in terms of levels and/or stock of nutrients in the majority of cases, at least in one of the seasons studied. The composition of the soil fauna groups in the Agro-Forestry System (AFS-1 and AFS-2) had a high degree of similarity to that found in the forest, and these systems mainly favour the populations of groups like Collembola and Formicidae.

Os sistemas agroflorestais (SAFs) além de proporcionarem geração de renda, podem ser considerados como uma alternativa para conservação da biodiversidade, tanto acima quanto abaixo da superfície do solo. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o estoque de serapilheira acumulada e seus estoques de nutrientes, bem como, a composição da fauna do conjunto solo-serapilheira, em dois sistemas agroflorestais (SAF-1 e SAF-2), utilizando como referência uma área de floresta secundária (FS), na comunidade Quilombola do Campinho da Independência, Paraty - RJ. A coleta da serapilheira acumulada e da fauna do sistema solo-serapilheira foi realizada a partir de quatro pontos amostrais em cada área, em duas épocas do ano, seca e chuvosa. Foi quantificado o estoque de serapilheira foliar, e seus estoques e teores de nutrientes (Ca, Mg, P, K e N). A extração da fauna foi realizada a partir do método modificado de Tüllgren, baseado no funil de Berlese. O estoque de serapilheira foliar acumulada só variou entre as áreas na estação chuvosa, sendo os menores valores quantificados no SAF-2. De maneira geral, os sistemas agroflorestais apresentaram semelhanças em comparação com a floresta para a maioria dos teores e/ou estoques de nutrientes, em pelo menos uma das épocas de avaliação. A composição dos grupos da fauna do solo dos sistemas agroflorestais (SAF-1 e SAF-2) apresentou um elevado grau de similaridade com a floresta, e estes sistemas favoreceram principalmente as populações de grupos como os Collembola e Formicidae.

Efectividad de cuatro prácticas agroecológicas de conservación de suelos, frente a procesos erosivos hídricos en Guasca - Cundinamarca / Effectiveness of four agroecological soil conservation practices against water erosion processes in hillside soils in Guasca-Cundinamarca / Efetividade de quatro práticas agroecológicas de conservação de solos contra processos de erosão em Guasca -Cundinamarca

Resumen Introducción. Una cuarta parte de los suelos agrícolas del mundo padece algún grado de deterioro, especialmente por factores antrópicos, no obstante, reducir el daño es posible cuando se desarrollan prácticas adecuadas de producción. Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de prácticas agroecológicas de conservación de suelos de ladera en el municipio de Guasca - Cundinamarca. Materiales y métodos. Se establecieron cuatro tratamientos: barreras vivas, barreras muertas, zanjas de infiltración, terrazas y un testigo, por cada tratamiento se realizaron 4 repeticiones, para un total de 20 unidades experimentales (UE). Se establecieron cultivos asociados de arveja (Pisum sativum), fríjol (Phaseolus vulgaris) y zanahoria (Daucus carota), en surcos en contrapendiente, obteniendo 6 surcos por UE. En cada UE se instaló una zanja recubierta con polietileno, con el objetivo de conducir el volumen de agua escurrido y los sólidos arrastrados al recipiente colector final. Del volumen obtenido, después de una respectiva homogenización con un agitador manual, se obtuvieron muestras de 200 ml para posteriormente secarlas y pesarlas en laboratorio. Resultados. Las pérdidas de suelo y agua por escorrentía presentaron un comportamiento variable, lo que puede ser atribuido a la interacción entre la intensidad y frecuencia de las precipitaciones, textura de suelo, manejo histórico del suelo y la variedad de prácticas de conservación empleadas. Conclusión. Todas las prácticas de conservación de suelos implementadas contribuyeron a reducir la pérdida de sedimentos, siendo las zanjas de infiltración la mejor práctica de conservación, presentando una reducción del 87,8 % de las pérdidas frente al testigo.

Abstract Introduction. A quarter of the world's agricultural soils suffer some degree of deterioration, especially due to anthropic factors. However, regeneration of soils is possible when conservation strategies are developed. Objective. Evaluate the effectiveness of soil conservation agroecological practices in the retention of hillside soils in the municipality of Guasca-Cundinamarca. Materials and methods. Four treatments were established: live barriers, dead barriers, infiltration ditches, terraces and a control. For each treatment, four repetitions were performed, for a total of 20 experimental units (EU). Pea (Pisum sativum), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and carrot (Daucus carota) crops were established in furrows in counter-slope, obtaining 6 furrows per EU. In each EU a ditch covered with polyethylene was installed, with the aim of driving the volume of drained water and the solids dragged towards a final collector vessel. From the volume obtained, after a respective homogenization with a manual agitator, samples of 200 ml were obtained for subsequent drying and weighing in the laboratory. Results. The losses of soil and water by runoff presented a variable behavior, which can be attributed to the interaction among factors such as intensity and frequency of rainfall, soil texture, historical soil management and the variety of conservation practices used. Conclusion. All the soil conservation practices implemented contributed to reduce the loss of sediments, infiltration ditches being the best conservation practice, presenting an 87.8 % reduction in losses compared with the control.

Resumo Introdução. Uma quarta parte dos solos agrícolas do mundo padece algum grau de deterioro, especialmente por fatores antrópicos, não obstante, reduzir o dano é possível quando se desenvolvem práticas adequadas de produção. Objetivo. Avaliar a efetividade das práticas agroecológicas de conservação dos solos de ladeira no município de Guasca - Cundinamarca. Materiais e métodos. Estabeleceram-se quatro tratamentos: barreiras vivas, barreiras mortas, trincheiras de infiltração, terraços e um controle, por cada tratamento realizaram-se 4 repetições, para um total de 20 unidades experimentais (UE). Estabeleceram-se culturas associadas de ervilha (Pisum sativum), feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) e cenoura (Daucus carota), em sulcos em contra pendente, obtendo 6 sulcos por UE. Em cada UE instalou-se uma trincheira recoberta com polietileno, com o objetivo de conduzir o volume de água escorrido e os sólidos arrastrados ao recipiente coletor final. Do volume obtido, despois de uma respetiva homogeneização com um agitador manual, obtiveram-se amostras de 200 ml para posteriormente serem secadas e pesadas no laboratório. Resultados. As perdas do solo e água pelo escorrimento apresentaram um comportamento variável, o que pode ser atribuído à interação entre a intensidade e a frequência das precipitações, textura de solo, manejo histórico do solo e a variedade das práticas de conservação empregadas. Conclusão. Todas as práticas de conservação de solos implementadas contribuíram a reduzir a perda de sedimentos, sendo as trincheiras de infiltração a melhor prática de conservação, apresentando uma redução do 87,8 % das perdas frente ao controle.

El IMPERATIVO DE LA AGRICULTURA HOY: CUIDAR LA TIERRA / THE IMPERATIVE OF AGRICULTURE TODAY: LAND CARE

Desde que los humanos adquirieron conciencia de sus actos han generado relaciones de diverso orden con la tierra y sus habitantes. Con la emergencia de la agricultura, la tierra, de ser un bien libre y disponible para todas las criaturas vivientes, pasó a ser apropiado por los seres humanos para satisfacer necesidades. La tierra adquirió un valor utilitario, para producir alimentos y materias primas, y generar renta y poder político. No obstante, para los campesinos y pueblos indígenas, la tierra, además ha tenido y aún tiene un valor afectivo y sagrado. En esta lógica, la agricultura se constituye en vínculo de los seres humanos con la tierra, que conlleva un imperativo ético: cuidar la tierra, en tanto que esta es uno más de los sujetos de la comunidad ética. En este orden de ideas, este artículo discute el cuidado de la tierra como imperativo ético de la agricultura. Para ello, se analizan y discuten visiones de preservacionistas con visiones técnico-científicas de conservación de suelos.

Since humans became conscious of their actions they have generated relationships of various kinds with land and its inhabitants. With the emergence of agriculture the land, being a free good available for all living creatures, became appropiated by humans to satisfy their needs. The land acquired a utilitarian value to produce food and raw materials, and generate income and political power. However, for farmers and indigenous people land also has had and it still has an affective and sacred value. In this logic, agriculture constitutes a bond of human beings with the land, which embraces an ethical imperative: land care while it is just one other subject of the ethical community. In this order of ideas, this article discusses land care as an ethical imperative of agriculture. To do this, visions of preservationists with technical-scientific views of soil conservation are analyzed and discussed.

Pagamento por serviços ambientais na gestão de recursos hídricos: o caso de Extrema (MG) / Payment for environmental services in water resources management: the case of Extrema (MG), Brazil

RESUMOO estudo teve como principal objetivo analisar o Programa Conservador das Águas, no município de Extrema, Minas Gerais. O caso de Extrema teve destaque por ser a primeira iniciativa municipal a realizar pagamentos para proprietários rurais em troca da garantia do fornecimento de serviços ambientais visando à melhoria dos recursos hídricos. Foi constatado que a escassez de água iminente em grandes centros urbanos é fator condicionante para priorizar áreas de atuação de programas de pagamento por serviços ambientais na gestão de recursos hídricos. O trabalho conclui que os resultados dessa primeira experiência em projetos de pagamento por serviços ambientais podem auxiliar na evolução dos cenários futuros da gestão de recursos hídricos sob a perspectiva do desenvolvimento rural mais sustentável.

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to analyze the Conservador das Águas program, in the municipality of Extrema, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The case of Extrema got highlighted because it was the first municipal initiative to pay the landowners in return for guaranteeing the supply of environmental services aimed at improving water resources. It was found that the imminent water shortages in large urban centers can be considered a conditioning factor in prioritizing operation areas of payment for environmental services programs in water resources management. The study concludes that the results of this first experience in payment for environmental services projects can assist in the development of future scenarios of water resource management from the perspective of a more sustainable rural development.

Efecto del uso de la tierra sobre la erosión y sedimentación de los suelos en El Estor, Izabal / Effect of land use on soil erosion and sedimentation, in the Estor, Izabal

El mayor y mejor uso de las tierras en El Estor, Izabal, está determinado por los regímenes de precipitación, topografía y manejo de los suelos. La erosión es el principal proceso de degradación de los suelos en esta región del país, por lo que se evaluó el efecto de diferentes usos de la tierra sobre la erosión y sedimentación media. Se utilizó el método de las varillas de erosión para estimar las variables primarias de erosión y sedimentación media; y posteriormente, las variables derivadas erosión neta y movilidad del suelo, durante los meses de febrero a noviembre del año 2014. Los resultados de los valores de erosión media y movilidad del suelo en plantaciones de hule y tierra en barbecho presentaron relaciones directas r = 0.63 y r = 0.77 respectivamente. Los valores de sedimentación media y movilidad del suelo en bosque secundario y tierra en barbecho presentaron relaciones inversas r = -0.88 y r = -0.79 respectivamente, en ambos casos con 5% de significancia. Además, los resultados del análisis estadístico de la evaluación experimental del uso de la tierra sobre las variables de respuesta, indicaron efecto del uso de la tierra sobre la erosión media de los suelos en la época lluviosa, con 5% de significancia. En su orden, las plantaciones de hule, tierra en barbecho, agricultura anual y bosque secundario, causaron mayor erosión del suelo. Se concluyó que las plantaciones de hule causaron tasas de erosión del doble en relación a las reportadas en el bosque secundario.

The mayor and best land use in El Estor, Izabal is determined by rainfall patterns, topography and soil management. The erosion is the main process of soil degradation in this region, so the effect of different land uses on mean soil erosion and sedimentation were evaluated. The method of erosion rods was used to estimate the mean soil erosion and sedimentation, as primary variables, and then the resulting net soil erosion and soil mobility, as secondary variables, during the months of February to November 2014. The results of mean values of soil erosion and soil mobility in rubber plantations and fallow land had direct relations r = 0.63 and r = 0.77 respectively. The mean values of sedimentation and soil mobility in secondary forest and fallow land had inverse relationships r = -0.88 and r = -0.79 respectively, both with 5% significance. In addition, the statistical analysis of the experimental evaluation of the land use effect on the response variables, indicated effect of land use on mean soil erosion during the rainy season, with 5% significance. In its order, the rubber plantations, fallow land, agriculture and secondary forest causing increased soil erosion. It was concluded that rubber plantations caused double erosion rate compared to those reported in the secondary forest.

Sweet potato tuberous roots yield under different soil managements / Produtividade de raízes tuberosas de batata-doce em diferentes sistemas de preparo do solo

This study aimed to assess the sweet potato tuberous roots yield under different soil managements and harvesting periods. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in split-plot scheme. The plots corresponded to four soil managements: conventional tillage with Urochloa decumbens straw incorporated and making mounds (PCCP), conventional tillage without straw and with making mounds (PCSP), reduced tillage with straw on the soil surface (PRCP) and reduced tillage without straw (PRSP). The subplots were divided in four harvesting periods: 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after planting. The study showed that sweet potato crop has higher total and commercial tuberous roots yields due to higher numbers of total and commercial roots in soil under conventional tillage with (PCCP) and without straw (PCSP). Thus, the conventional tillage is better to the sweet potato crop.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a produtividade de raízes tuberosas de batata-doce em diferentes sistemas de preparo do solo e épocas de colheita. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas corresponderam a quatro sistemas de preparo do solo: preparo convencional com palha de Urochloa decumbens incorporada e confecção de leiras (PCCP), preparo convencional sem palha e com confecção de leiras (PCSP), preparo reduzido com manutenção de palha na superfície (PRCP) e preparo reduzido sem palha (PRSP); e as subparcelas, a quatro épocas de colheita: 90, 120, 150 e 180 dias após plantio. Entre os sistemas estudados, a cultura da batata-doce apresenta maiores produtividades total e comercial de raízes tuberosas em função de maiores números total e comercial de raízes tuberosas em solo manejado sob preparo convencional, tanto com (PCCP) como sem palha (PCSP). Assim, o preparo convencional do solo é mais adequado ao cultivo da batata-doce.

Land Degradation Mapping in Singhanhalli-Bogur Micro-watershed in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka through Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques.

The study was undertaken to identify and map areas affected by various land degradation through remote sensing and GIS techniques. The study revealed that the major process of land degradation is water erosion. Three types of water erosion, namely sheet, rill and gully erosion were prevalent in different land forms. Sheet erosion accounted for 77.2 %, rill erosion 6.7 % and gully erosion 16.2 % of the study area. The lowlands, majority of which area was under agriculture land use, was observed to be sheet eroded with severity ranging from slight to severe which was attributed t o overcutting of vegetation, overgrazing and agricultural activities. Rill erosion was prevalent in undulating midlands under agriculture and open scrub land uses, whereas gully erosion occurred in agriculture and open scrub lands. The moderately degraded lands were observed in all land uses but they were more prominent in agriculture lands on moderate slopes. The severely degraded lands were observed on moderate-to-steep slopes in undulating midlands and uplands. The adoption of soil and water conservation measures was recommended for improve soil productivity and sustaining agricultural production at higher levels. In addition, watershed programmes should be undertaken considering the summarized priority for land treatment.

Soil Erosion Mapping in Singhanhalli-Bogur Microwatershed in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka Using Universal Soil Loss Equation and Geographic Information Systems.

Soil erosion which occurs at spatially varying rates is a widespread threat to sustainable resource management at watershed scale. Thus estimation of soil loss and identification of critical area for implementation of best management practices is central to a successful soil conservation programme. The present study was conducted to assess soil erosion using USLE and suggests possible intervention strategies to address soil loss in Singhanhalli-Bogur Microwatershed of Dharwad District in northern transition zone of Karnataka. The average annual soil loss was 27 tons ha-1yr-1. About 574 ha of the study area was under slight erosion, 118 ha under moderate erosion and 53 ha under severe erosion. The soil loss under different land uses ranged from 7 tons ha-1yr-1 under forest to 40 tons ha-1yr-1 under agriculture. The soil loss under plantation and open scrub land uses were 8 and 26 tons ha-1yr-1 respectively. Major causes of soil erosion were cultivation without proper soil and water conservation measures in area not suitable for crops, denuded areas without vegetation, cultivated fallow on moderate slopes, degraded forests/pastures on steep slopes and poorly managed forest cover. Appropriate soil conservation and land management techniques for the different soil erosion classes were suggested.

Erosividade da chuva para o bioma Pantanal / Rainfall erosivity for Pantanal biome

A escassez de dados pluviográficos na região do Pantanal fez com que muitos autores utilizassem equações de regressão obtidas em outras regiões do Brasil para calcular o Fator R da Equação Universal de Perda de Solo (USLE). O presente estudo define equações para a previsão da erosividade em região do bioma Pantanal, correlacionando a erosividade das chuvas calculada pelo índice EI30 e o coeficiente de chuva (Rc). A equação desenvolvida, do tipo potencial, apresenta consistência e correlação significativa com os dados observados, obtendo valor de coeficiente de determinação de 97%. Portanto, a equação de erosividade proposta pode ser utilizada para estimativa do fator R da USLE a partir dos dados mensais e anuais de precipitação da região e de outras regiões com características climáticas semelhantes.

The scarcity of pluviograph data in the Pantanal zone forced many researchers to use regression equations obtained in others regions of Brazil to calculate the R factor of Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). This study defines a model to predict the erosivity of the Pantanal Biome correlating the calculated rainfall erosivity index EI30 and the rainfall coefficient (Rc). The model showed a significant correlation with the observed data, yielding coefficient of determination of 97%. Therefore, the rainfall erosivity model proposed can be used to estimate the R Factor of USLE data from monthly and annual precipitation for the region and other regions with similar climatic characteristics.

Comportamento da cana-de-açúcar em duas safras e atributos físicos do solo sob diferentes tipos de preparo / Behavior of sugarcane in two crops and physical attributes of soil under different tillage

O preparo do solo compreende em média 25% do custo de implantação de um canavial, portanto, medidas para redução deste custo são desejáveis desde que não comprometam a qualidade desta operação e a longevidade do canavial. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes sistemas de preparo num LATOSSOLO VERMELHO distrófico, correlacionando atributos físicos do solo e características agroindustriais da cana planta e da cana soca. Foram utilizados cinco tipos de preparos do solo, distribuídos em delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. A granulometria foi avaliada a cada 0,1 m até a profundidade 0,4 m, por meio de amostras de solo deformadas coletadas no final do primeiro ciclos de crescimento da cultura. Para os demais atributos físicos do solo: densidade do solo, porosidade total e teor de água, as avaliações foram realizadas no final de cada ciclo, coletando amostras indeformadas nas camadas de 0-0,20 m e 0,21-0,40 m, além da realização da resistência mecânica à penetração, utilizando-se de penetrômetro de impacto. A resposta da cana-de-açúcar em função dos tipos de preparo do solo foi determinada a partir da avaliação da produtividade por hectare de colmo (TCH), de açúcar (TPH), bem como dos valores de pol % (AP), açúcar total recuperável (ATR) e fibra de amostras de colmo coletadas na colheita da cana planta e cana soca. Nos preparos estudados, houve alteração dos atributos físicos do solo, provocando redução da produtividade na safra 2009/2010, quando comparada com a safra 2008/2009. No sistema de preparo de sulcação direta foi observado menor resultado de TCH, principalmente na safra 2009/2010, quando a diferença com o preparo convencional foi de 20,53 Mg ha-1.

The tillage comprises on average 25% of the cost of deploying a reed, so this cost reduction measures are desirable since they do not compromise the quality of the operation and longevity of sugarcane. The objective was to evaluate the effect of different tillage systems in Acrustox, correlating soil physical properties and characteristics of sugarcane agroindustrial plant cane and ratoon cane. We used five types of soil tillage, over experimental design in blocks with five replications. The particle size was measured every 0.1 m to 0.4 m depth, through deformed soil samples collected at the end of the first growth cycle of the culture. For other soil physical properties: bulk density, total porosity and water content, assessments were performed at the end of each cycle, collecting soil samples in layers of 0-0.20 to 0.21-0.40 m, in addition to performing the penetration resistance, using a penetrometer impact. The response of sugarcane depending on the types of tillage was determined from the evaluation of productivity per hectare of stem (TCH), sugar (TPH), the values of pol % cane (AP), sugar total recoverable (ATR) and fiber samples collected at harvest stalk of sugarcane plant and ratoon cane. In the tillage studied, there was a change of the physical attributes of the soil, causing reduced productivity in 2009/2010 crop, compared with the 2008/2009 season. In tillage system of furrowing direct lowest result was observed for TCH, especially in 2009/2010 crop, when the difference with conventional tillage was 20.53 Mg ha-1.

Identification of soil erosion risk areas for conservation planning in different states of India.

Assessment of soil erosion risks, especially in the developing countries, is a challenging task mainly due to non-availability or insufficiency of relevant data. In this paper, the soil erosion risks have been estimated by integrating the spatial data on potential erosion rates and soil loss tolerance limits for conservation planning at state level in India. The erosion risk classes have been prioritized based upon the difference between the prevailing erosion rates and the permissible erosion limits. The analysis revealed that about 50% of total geographical area (TGA) of India, falling in five priority erosion risk classes, requires different intensity of conservation measures though about 91% area suffers from potential erosion rates varying from < 5 to > 40 t ha-1yr-1. Statewise analysis indicated that Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan share about 75% of total area under priority Class 1 (6.4 M ha) though they account for only 19.4% of the total area (36.2 M ha) under very severe potential erosion rate category (> 40 t ha-1yr-1). It was observed that about 75% of total geographical area (TGA) in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala and Punjab does not require any specific soil conservation measure as the potential erosion rates are well within the tolerance limits. The developed methodology can be successfully employed for prioritization of erosion risk areas at watershed, region or country level.

Atributos químicos do solo sob conversão de floresta amazônica para diferentes sistemas na região norte do Pará, Brasil / Chemical attributes of soil under conversion of rainforest for different systems in the northern region of the state of Pará, Brazil

Considerando que o solo é a base para uma agricultura e uma produção florestal sustentável, é necessário adotar práticas de manejo que conservem e, ou, restaurem sua fertilidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os efeitos de diferentes sistemas de manejo de culturas e uso da terra nas propriedades químicas do solo tendo como referência a mata nativa adjacente. A pesquisa foi conduzida no município de Concórdia do Pará, na região Norte do Estado do Pará, em área de Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo cinco tratamentos (AP - área de pasto, SAF - área com sistema agroflorestal, MN - área de mata nativa, CP - área de capoeira e CM - área cultivada com mandioca) e duas profundidades (0-0,10 m e 0,10-0,20 m), com cinco repetições. Os parâmetros analisados para cada área foram: pH, P, K+ , Na+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, H+Al, SB, CTC, V% e MO. Os resultados foram avaliados pela análise de variância (ANOVA), seguido do teste de Tukey (p<0,05) para a comparação das médias, quando significativo. As características químicas originais do solo, considerando a mata como referência, foram alteradas de acordo com o sistema vegetal e manejos utilizados, sendo a matéria orgânica, o principal atributo relacionado à fertilidade do solo, diretamente afetado com a alteração da vegetação original. O sistema SAF estudado, não apresentou melhorias na fertilidade do solo ou sequer manteve a qualidade próxima do solo sob a mata nativa, exceto para o fósforo. Os resultados indicaram que a conversão da vegetal original (floresta amazônica) para os demais sistemas estudados, causou declínio principalmente nos teores de carbono orgânico do solo.

Whereas soil is the basis for farming and forestry sustainable, it is necessary to adopt management practices that maintain and or restore fertility of the soil. The study was conducted in Concórdia do Pará city, in northern of Pará state, in an area of Oxisol (or LATOSSOLO VERMELHO distroférrico according to Brazil soil classification). The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a factorial 5 x 2, with five treatments (AP - pasture area, SAF - area under agroforestry, MN - area under native forest, CP - area under scrub and CM - Area cultivated with cassava) and two depths (0 to 0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m), with five replications. The parameters analyzed for each area were: pH, P, K+ , Na+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, H+Al, SB, CTC, V% and MO. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test (p<0.05) for comparison of means, when significant. The unique chemical characteristics of the soil, considering the forest as a reference have been changed according to the plant and system management strategies used. The organic matter, the main attribute related to soil fertility was directly affected with changes of the original vegetation. The SAF system studied, showed no improvements in soil fertility or even maintained the quality near the ground under the native forest, except for the content of the element phosphorus. Results indicated that the conversion of original vegetation (rainforest) to other systems, cause mainly a decline in soil organic carbon.

Estudio de la erosión de los suelos en áreas protegidas de Cienfuegos, utilizando el cesio 137 como radiotrazador / Soil erosion studies in protected areas of Cienfuegos, using cesium 137 as radiotracer

RESUMEN Las explosiones nucleares de gran potencia a cielo abierto, debido a las pruebas de armas nucleares o como consecuencia de accidentes que han tenido lugar, son las principales causas de que gran número de radionúclidos se haya dispersado en todo el globo terráqueo. Entre estos se encuentra el cesio-137, que al llegar al suelo se adhiere fuertemente a sus partículas más finas. Ello, junto a su período de semidesintegración de 30 años y su fácil detección por gamma espectrometría hacen que se use como radiotrazador de los movimientos del suelo. Esta técnica, ampliamente usada y validada en diferentes entornos en todo el mundo, también fue previamente validada y se demostró su eficacia en la provincia de Cienfuegos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar mediante el uso del cesio 137, la redistribución del suelo y cuantificar la erosión en áreas protegidas de la provincia, donde las pérdidas de suelo y el arrastre de sedimentos son las principales causas del deterioro de estos ecosistemas con las consiguientes pérdidas económicas y ambientales. Los resultados obtenidos se interpolaron, empleando el método kriging mediante el software gvSIG, obteniendo un mapa de la distribución del suelo en las parcelas estudiadas, y garantizando una mejor visibilidad al respecto. El método se puede aplicar en otros lugares donde sea necesario conocer la magnitud de los problemas de erosión y la redistribución del suelo en el paisaje, lo cual puede ser muy útil para trazar los planes de reordenamiento de los usos del suelo.

ABSTRACT The large-scale nuclear explosions as a result of nuclear weapons tests or nuclear accidents are the main causes of/for the great dispersion of artificial radionuclides all over the world. One of these radionuclides is cesium-137, which is strongly fixed to the fine soils particles. This fact, together with its half-life of 30 years and its easy detection by gamma spectrometry have turned cesium 137, in a good radiotracer of soil movement. This technique has been widely used and validated in different landscapes throughout the world. Its effectiveness was also previously validated and proved in Cienfuegos province as well. This research was aimed at using the cesium-137 technique to study soil redistribution and quantify erosion in the so called Protected Areas in Cienfuegos province, where soil loss and sediment transport are the main causes of deterioration of these ecosystems with the consequent economic and / or environmental losses. The results were represented in a map using the gvSIG software by kriging, thus achieving greater visibility of the soil redistribution in the studied plot. The methodology used in this study could be used in other places wherever the magnitude of erosion problemsas well as knowing the soil redistribution plot pattern in the landscape are necessary and very useful to elaborate plans for rearrangement in land use management.

Monitoramento de bacias hidrográficas para identificar fontes de sedimentos em suspensão / Catchment monitoring to trac suspended sediment sources

Programas de conservação do solo e da água que utilizam a bacia hidrográfica como unidade de planejamento têm sido amplamente empregados. Um componente importante desses programas se refere à implantação de projetos de monitoramento hidrossedimentométrico e de qualidade de água para avaliar o impacto nos recursos hídricos das práticas introduzidas. Entretanto, em alguns casos, os resultados obtidos pelos projetos de monitoramento têm sido pouco conclusivos, devido a limitações dos procedimentos experimentais adotados. Esta revisão explora metodologias de avaliação que combinam técnicas tradicionais de monitoramento com técnicas de identificação de fontes de sedimentos que contribuem para elucidar os efeitos das práticas conservacionistas na produção de sedimentos em bacias hidrográficas e também a inter-relação dinâmica entre as fontes de sedimentos.

Soil and water conservation programs frequently use catchments as planning units. An important follow-up component of these programs is the installment of hydrosedimentometric and water quality monitoring projects to evaluate the impact of the practices introduced. However, in some cases, these monitoring projects have yielded inconclusive results, mostly due to procedural limitations. This review explores methods that combine traditional monitoring techniques with sediment source identification to further elucidate the impact of conservation practices on sediment yield in the catchment and dynamic interactions between different sediment sources.