Agricultural potential and soil use based on the pedogenetic properties of soils from the cerrado-caatinga transition

The sustainable use of soil requires a broad knowledge of its genesis, morphology, properties, and distribution in the landscape. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the pedogenetic attributes of representative soils from the cerrado-caatinga transition of the Gurguéia river basin to indicate their agricultural potential and limitations for the implementation of agroforestry systems. National and international soil classification systems were used to define the soil classes. The limiting factors and agricultural potential were characterized following the evaluation system of the agricultural potential of Brazilian land. In general, profiles 1, 3, 5, and 6 had a low nutrient budget and a sandy to loam texture. Profiles 2, 4, and 7 showed high clay content and nutrient budget. The soil profiles were classified as Ustic Quartzipsamments, Udic Haplusterts, Xanthic Haplustox, Arenic Kanhaplustults, Typic Haplustox, and Aridic Dystrustept based on their pedogenetic characteristics. Udic Haplusterts and Arenic Kanhaplustults soils display restrictions regarding the planting of forests owing to oxygen and soil depth limitations. The other soil classes had adequate physical properties for the implementation of agricultural systems and pastures, including good drainage and medium texture; however, they had low natural fertility, and thus require technologies for soil acidity correction and fertilization. Ustic Quartzipsamments and Ustic soils require the implementation of conservation systems, such as agroforestry, to avoid degradation.

Download Full-text

Structural changes in latosols of the cerrado region: I - relationships between soil physical properties and least limiting water range

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832011000300013 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 773-782 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Eduardo da Costa Severiano ◽

Geraldo César de Oliveira ◽

Moacir de Souza Dias Júnior ◽

Katia Aparecida de Pinho Costa ◽

Fabiano Guimarães Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Clay Content ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Region I ◽

Agricultural Potential ◽

Density Values ◽

Least Limiting Water Range

The agricultural potential of Latosols of the Brazilian Cerrado region is high, but when intensively cultivated under inappropriate management systems, the porosity can be seriously reduced, leading to rapid soil degradation. Consequently, accelerated erosion and sedimentation of springs and creeks have been observed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate structural changes of Latosols in Rio Verde, Goiás, based on the Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR), and relationships between LLWR and other physical properties. Soil samples were collected from the B horizons of five oxidic Latosols representing the textural variability of the Latosols of the Cerrado biome. LLWR and other soil physical properties were determined at various soil compaction degrees induced by uniaxial compression. Soil compaction caused effects varying from enhanced plant growth due to higher water retention, to severe restriction of edaphic functions. Also, inverse relationships were observed between clay content and bulk density values (Bd) under different structural conditions. Bd values corresponding to critical soil macroporosity (BdcMAC) were more restrictive to a sustainable use of the studied Latosols than the critical Bd corresponding to LLWR (BdcLLWR). The high tolerable compression potential of these oxidic Latosols was related to the high aeration porosity associated to the granular structure.

Download Full-text

Red soils of different origins from southwest Nigeria: Characteristics, classification, and management considerations

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s96-069 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 295-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T. A. Okusami ◽

R. H. Rust ◽

A. O. Alao

Keyword(s):

Clay Mineral ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Clay Fraction ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Cropping System ◽

Clay Content ◽

Parent Material ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Biotite Gneiss ◽

Variable Charge

Representative profiles of the Owena, Egbeda, Alagba, and Balogun series were studied. The Owena soil is formed in amphibolite whereas Egbeda and Balogun soils are formed in biotite gneiss derived parent materials. The Alagba soil is formed in sandstone parent rock. The main objectives were to characterize the soils and their clay fraction, and to classify and interpret soil properties for agricultural land use. Most soils exhibit 2.5 YR hues in subsurface horizons. A pedon formed in biotite gneiss has the highest dithionite Fe content and Fed/clay ratio. The relationships between clay content and Fed values vary according to parent material origin and, therefore, would have to be interpreted differently for soil weathering processes. Clay coatings were noticeable in some soil horizons of all pedons studied. Soils are generally medium to slightly acid with sandstone-derived soils being the most acid. The clay mineral suite in all soils is dominated by kaolinite with traces of 2:1 and 2:2 clay minerals, goethite, hematite, anatase, maghemite, and rutile. In addition, some soils contain trace amounts of gibbsite. Kandic horizons have been identified in all soils. The low charge properties of the soils reflect the intensely weathered clay mineral suite. The base status is probably influenced by the cropping system and therefore may tend to unnecessarily differentiate highly weathered soils at the order level. The Egbeda and Balogun series were classified as Rhodic Kandiudults, clayey-skeletal, oxidic and Rhodic Kandiudalfs, clayey-skeletal, oxidic, respectively. Others, Owena, and Alagba series, were classified as Typic Kanhaplohumults, clayey, oxidic and Rhodic Kanhaplustults, fine loamy or clayey, oxidic, respectively. In the FAO-Unesco legend, all soils become Rhodic Ferralsols. In addition, the Owena (with its nitic properties) is further classified as niti-rhodic Ferralsol. The two classification systems are at variance for highly weathered (variable charge property) soils and this difference will definitely influence management decisions depending on which system is used at any particular time. Soil attributes favorable for agricultural use include thick sola and favorable structures. Chemical properties suggest minimal fixation of phosphorus. Key words: Dithionite Fe, kandic, oxidic, variable charge, ferralic, exchangeable Al

Download Full-text

A Review on Terminalia chebula Retz. (Harar)- An Important Multipurpose Tree

International Journal of Economic Plants ◽

10.23910/2/2020.0361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 049-052

Author(s):

Samanpreet Singh ◽

◽

Avinash Kumar Bhatia ◽

Kamal Sharma ◽

Dushyant Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Deciduous Forests ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Arid Zones ◽

Terminalia Chebula ◽

Juvenile Period ◽

The Poor ◽

Medicinal Value ◽

The Family

Terminalia chebula Retz. commonly known as ‘Harar’ belongs to the family Combretaceae. It is found in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of India, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc. In India, it is distributed throughout the greater part except in arid zones. The fruits are common constituent of ‘Triphala’, capable of imparting youthful vitality and receptivity of mind and sense and are extensively used for clinical research, tanning and furniture purposes and also contain 1.73% nitrogen and 2.75% Calcium. The demand for its fruit has increased tremendously, because of its medicinal value; its fruits are sold at a price of ` 10-60 kg-1. However, the poor germination capacity, lack of natural regeneration and knowledge regarding its propagation are the limiting factors for its adoption in agroforestry systems. There is need of more productive planting stock with lower juvenile period and comparatively large fruit size.

Download Full-text

Adaptation of the land agricultural suitability evaluation system to high-altitude vineyards

Revista de Ciencias Agrícolas ◽

10.22267/rcia.193602.118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 58-73

Author(s):

Denilson Dortzbach ◽

Arcangelo Loss ◽

Marcos Gervasio Pereira ◽

Ludmila Machado ◽

Lúcia Helena Anjos

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

High Altitude ◽

Evaluation System ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Oxygen Deficiency ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

Suitability Evaluation ◽

Adequate Information ◽

Effective Depth

Adequate information on agricultural land suitability for viticulture are important for the expansion of the activity in wine producing regions, as the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. This information contributes to improve the efficiency of evaluations, with the inclusion of different management levels for the crop and redefinition of limiting levels of agricultural land conditions. In this context, the objective of this work was to adapt the Land Agricultural Suitability Evaluation System (LASES) to grapevine crops grown in high-altitude regions in Santa Catarina. The LASES was modified based on the crop demands and managements, proposing the incorporation, removal, adjust and update of parameters used in the LASES. The limiting factors considered were topography, fertility, water excess or oxygen deficiency, susceptibility to erosion, impediments to meccanization, and soil effective depth. These traits were based on data of bibliographic surveys and five limiting levels were attributed to them: null, mild, moderate, strong, and very strong. Agricultural suitability classes like good, regular, restrictive and inapt resulted from the interaction between agricultural conditions and management levels of viticulture producers, and later, a suitability guide table was developed. The adaptation of the LASES to grapevine crops grown in high-altitude conditions in Santa Catarina incorporate and adjust local aspects that are important for the grapevine production system. Thus, it is an important tool for decision making when implementing new vineyards and contributes to a possible increase of this activity in the region.

Download Full-text

Kinetics of non-exchangeable potassium release in selected soil orders of southern Iran

Soil and Water Research ◽

10.17221/138/2017-swr ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 200-207

Author(s):

Zareian Gholamreza ◽

Farpoor Mohammad Hady ◽

Hejazi-Mehrizi Majid ◽

Jafari Azam

Keyword(s):

Oxalic Acid ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Clay Content ◽

Exchangeable K ◽

Southern Iran ◽

Successive Extraction ◽

Palygorskite Clay ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

K Release Rate ◽

K Release

Non-exchangeable K release can greatly influence soil K fertility. This study was carried out to study the release of non-exchangeable K from 22 surface and subsurface soils of southern Iran using successive extraction with 10 mmol/l of CaCl2 and oxalic acid in a period of 2−1368 h at 25 ± 1°C. Alfisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, and Histosols were among the studied soil orders. Illite, smectite, chlorite, vermiculite, kaolinite and palygorskite clay minerals were identified. The amount of non-exchangeable K varied from 95 to 506 mg/kg. Results showed that CaCl2 and oxalic acid released 60 and 55% of non-exchangeable K from soils, respectively. The discontinuity in slope was found when the cumulative amount of released K was plotted versus time, supporting the multi-reactive nature of K exchange sites. The cumulative K release in soils ranged from 87 to 300 mg/kg for CaCl2 and 78 to 300 mg/kg for oxalic acid which was well described by simplified Elovich and power function equations. The b constant of simplified Elovich as an index of non-exchangeable K release rate was in the range of 10 to 36 mg/kg for CaCl2 and 11 to 36 mg/kg for oxalic acid. The highest b constant was measured in Inceptisols and Alfisols, while the lowest values were found in Entisols and Histosols. In conclusion, the K release pattern was similar for both extractants and affected by clay content and type, and soil depth.

Download Full-text

Characterization, agricultural potential, and perspectives for the management of light soils in Brazil

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2016000900001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (9) ◽

pp. 1003-1020 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Guilherme Kangussu Donagemma ◽

Pedro Luiz de Freitas ◽

Fabiano de Carvalho Balieiro ◽

Ademir Fontana ◽

Silvio Túlio Spera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Production Systems ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Clay Fraction ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Agricultural Frontier ◽

Agricultural Potential

Abstract Light soils occupy 8% of the Brazilian territory and are especially expressive in the new and last agricultural frontier in Brazil: the Matopiba region - in the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia -, where they represent 20% of the area. These soils fit into the textural classes of sand and loamy sand or sandy loam, down to 0.75-m soil depth or deeper, and they are mainly represented by Neossolos Quartzarênicos (Quartzipsamments) and, partly, by Latossolos (Oxisols) and Argissolos (Ultisols). The understanding of soil functioning depends on the establishment of distinguishing criteria for: organic matter dynamics; content and mineralogy of the clay fraction; coarse sand and total sand contents, in relation to those of fine sand; mean diameter of the sand fraction; and water retention capacity. These criteria can contribute for the zoning and for the conservation and fertility management of light soils, as well as for the estimation of their agricultural potential. Integrated production systems, such as crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forestry integration, besides no-tillage with crop rotation, mixed forestry planting with legumes, and the use of green manure and cover crops are relevant for the proper management of these soils. The objective of this review was to characterize light soils and to highlight the main challenges regarding their agricultural potential and their conservation and fertility managements, in face of the expansion and consolidation of the new Brazilian agricultural frontier.

Download Full-text

Succession and the Relationship between Vegetation and Soil in the Marl Quarries of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10020116 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 116 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mirna Valdez-Hernández ◽

Rossana Gil-Medina ◽

Jorge O. López-Martínez ◽

Nuria Torrescano-Valle ◽

Nancy Cabanillas-Terán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Open Pit ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

P Availability ◽

Secondary Forests ◽

Yucatán Peninsula

Open-pit mining is a common activity in the Yucatan Peninsula for the extraction of limestone. These areas are characterized by the total removal of the natural vegetation cover and soil in order to access calcareous material. The present study shows the composition and structure of the vegetation in five quarries after approximately ten years of abandonment, and the target vegetation near to the quarries in southeastern Mexico. A linear mixed model showed that P availability is one of the limiting factors for species establishment in the quarries. Using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the distribution of the species was determined in relation to the edaphic variables: soil depth, the percentage of organic matter (OM), cationic exchange capacity (CEC), pH and texture. Twenty-six families, 46 genera and 50 species were recorded in the quarries, and 25 families, 45 genera and 47 species were recorded in the conserved areas. The dominant species in the quarries belong to the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Anacardiaceae. The quarries with higher values of OM (2%), CEC (24 Cmol/kg), depth (11 cm) and sand percentage (31%) include the following species Lysiloma latisiliquum (L.) Benth., Metopium brownei (Jacq.) Urb. and Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg., which are common in secondary forests. Quarries with lower values of OM (0.4%), CEC (17 Cmol/kg) and depth (5.02), and with a higher percentage of silt (42%) were dominated by herbs belonging to Poaceae and by Borreria verticillate (L.) G. Mey., which are typical in disturbed areas of southeastern Mexico. In all cases, the pH was slightly alkaline due to the content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), characteristic of the soils of the region.

Download Full-text

Response of Fractal Analysis to Soil Quality Succession in Long-Term Compound Soil Improvement of Mu Us Sandy Land, China

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2020/5463107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Haiou Zhang ◽

Jiancang Xie ◽

Jichang Han ◽

Haipeng Nan ◽

Zhen Guo

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sandy Soil ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Soft Rock ◽

Clay Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Sandy Land ◽

Mu Us Sandy Land

The degraded aeolian sandy soil in China’s Mu Us Sandy Land requires amendment before it can be suitable for maize or other agricultural production. The addition of material from the local “soft” bedrock can create a new compound soil whose particle composition and structural stability are key issues for sustainable soil development in the region. We used field data from 2010 to 2018 to study the variations in fractal characteristics of compound soil particles at soft rock to sand volume ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 5, along with changes in soil organic matter. Over the study period, all three compound soils showed gradual increases in clay and silt content with corresponding decreasing sand content. The fractal dimension (FD) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 increased by 8.8%, higher than those at 1 : 1 (8.6%) and 1 : 5 (7.7%). The organic matter content (OMC) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 reached a maximum (6.24 ± 0.30 g/kg), an increase of 12 times over the original value. The FD and OMC of particles at ratios 1 : 1 and 1 : 5 were less stable but showed overall increase. The 1 : 2 ratio compound soil was most suitable for maize growth as its clear increase in silt and clay content most improved the texture and OMC of the original sandy soil. Such research has important theoretical and practical significance for understanding the evolutionary mechanism and sustainable use of the compound soil in agriculture within the Mu Us Sandy Land.

Download Full-text

Hi-sAFe: A 3D Agroforestry Model for Integrating Dynamic Tree–Crop Interactions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11082293 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2293 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Christian Dupraz ◽

Kevin Wolz ◽

Isabelle Lecomte ◽

Grégoire Talbot ◽

Grégoire Vincent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Sustainable Land Use ◽

Biophysical Model ◽

Root Pruning ◽

Tree Model ◽

Tree Crop ◽

Dynamic Tree

Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees with crops and/or livestock, can lead to multiple economic and ecological benefits compared to trees and crops/livestock grown separately. Field experimentation has been the primary approach to understanding the tree–crop interactions inherent in agroforestry. However, the number of field experiments has been limited by slow tree maturation and difficulty in obtaining consistent funding. Models have the potential to overcome these hurdles and rapidly advance understanding of agroforestry systems. Hi-sAFe is a mechanistic, biophysical model designed to explore the interactions within agroforestry systems that mix trees with crops. The model couples the pre-existing STICS crop model to a new tree model that includes several plasticity mechanisms responsive to tree–tree and tree–crop competition for light, water, and nitrogen. Monoculture crop and tree systems can also be simulated, enabling calculation of the land equivalent ratio. The model’s 3D and spatially explicit form is key for accurately representing many competition and facilitation processes. Hi-sAFe is a novel tool for exploring agroforestry designs (e.g., tree spacing, crop type, tree row orientation), management strategies (e.g., thinning, branch pruning, root pruning, fertilization, irrigation), and responses to environmental variation (e.g., latitude, climate change, soil depth, soil structure and fertility, fluctuating water table). By improving our understanding of the complex interactions within agroforestry systems, Hi-sAFe can ultimately facilitate adoption of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use practice.

Download Full-text

Changes in soil carbon and soil nitrogen after tree clearing in the semi-arid rangelands of Queensland

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt04154 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 53 (7) ◽

pp. 639 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

B. P. Harms ◽

R. C. Dalal ◽

A. P. Cramp

Keyword(s):

Soil Carbon ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Woody Debris ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Basal Area ◽

Clay Content ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil C ◽

C Stocks

Changes in soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks following tree clearing were estimated at 32 rangeland sites in central and southern Queensland by using paired-site sampling. When corrected for soil bulk-density differences at each site, average soil C across all sites decreased after tree clearing by 8.0% for 0–0.3-m soil depth, and by 5.4% for 0–1.0-m depth; there were corresponding declines in soil C of 2.5 and 3.5tha–1, respectively. Mean soil C stocks (excluding surface litter, extractable roots and coarse charcoal) at uncleared sites were 29.5tha–1 for 0–0.3-m soil depth, and 62.5tha–1 for 0–1.0-m depth. Mean soil C stocks (0–0.3m) were 41% of the mean total C for the soil–plant system (soil + litter/woody debris + stand biomass) at uncleared sites. Soil C decline (0–0.3m) accounted for approximately 7% of the average total C lost because of land clearing across all sites. Soil C stocks at uncleared sites were correlated with tree basal area, clay content and soil phosphorus (P) content. Changes in soil C after tree clearing were strongly correlated to initial soil C contents at the uncleared sites, and were associated with particular vegetation groups and soil types. Changes in soil N were strongly correlated with changes in soil C; however, the average change in soil N across all sites was not significant. Given the size of the C and N pools in rangeland soils, the factors that influence soil C and soil N dynamics in rangeland systems need to be better understood for the effective management of C stocks in these soils.

Download Full-text