Atlantic Forest soil as reference in the soil quality evaluation of coconut orchards (Cocos nucífera L) under different management

Abstract

The evaluation of the soil quality is important to identify potential problems of soil degradation. The assessment of the soil quality requires the determination of several soil parameters and the integration of specific soil properties measurements into mathematical models, such as the soil quality index (SQI).The aims of this study were to: (i) determine the SQI for an Ultisol under a remnant of Atlantic rain forest; (ii) use the SQI for the Atlantic rain forest as a reference to evaluate the effects of conventional and integrated management in coconut orchards. It was hypothesized that the conventional management of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) orchards reduces the SQI compared with Atlantic rain forest. A soil quality index was constructed using an additive model that considered three main soil functions (the ability of the soil to promote root growth, water storage and flux, and nutrient supply) and a set of soil indicators. The SQI values were 0.66, 0.54 and 0.46 for the Atlantic forest, integrated and conventional orchards, respectively; therefore, there was decline in soil quality in both orchards. Even though there was an increase in the organic matter content in the integrated coconut orchard as result of the maintenance of the organic residues on the soil surface and the presence of cover crops, the SQI indicated that, in that type of highly weathered soil, a more conservative approach needs to be applied to avoid further soil quality degradation. Key words: Soil attributes. Soil Quality. Agricultural sustainability. Native forest. ResumoA avaliação da qualidade do solo é importante para identificar potenciais problemas de degradação do solo. Para tanto, é necessário a determinação de vários parâmetros bem como a integração de propriedades específicas do solo em modelos matemáticos, como por exemplo, o índice de qualidade do solo (IQS). Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: i) determinar o IQS de um Argissolo sob Mata Atlântica; ii) utilizar o IQS da Mata Atlântica para avaliar os efeitos dos manejos convencional e integrado em pomares de coco (Cocos nucífera L). A hipótese postulada foi a de que o manejo convencional do coqueiro reduz o IQS quando comparado com a Mata Atlântica. O IQS foi construído usando um modelo aditivo que considerou três principais funções do solo (capacidade do solo em promover crescimento do sistema radicular, permitir o fluxo e o armazenamento de água, e fornecer nutrientes) e um grupo de indicadores. Os valores do IQS foram 0,66; 0,54; 0,46, para a Mata Atlântica, manejo integrado e manejo convencional, respectivamente. Portanto, houve um declínio na qualidade do solo nos dois 1 Prof a Dr a ,

Soil chemical quality in irrigated agricultural areas

“…Corrêa et al (2009) reported soil organic matter content lower than 1% in irrigated perimeters of Pernambuco state. Gonzaga et al (2016) also reported low organic matter content (1.1%) in Ultisols under irrigated coconut orchards in the state of Sergipe.…”

Both organic and integrated pest management of apple orchards maintain soil health as compared to a semi-natural reference system

“…An alternative would have been to use forest as a reference system, which could possibly have indicated that both organic and IPM agricultural systems are, in fact, not reaching full soil health potential. This was for instance the case in Gonzaga et al (2016) and Ortiz et al (2017), where soils under perennial sugarcane crops and coconut orchards in Brazil were found to be of less quality compared to soils under native Atlantic forest.…”

Soil Quality Assessment in Tourism-Disturbed Subtropical Mountain Meadow Areas of Wugong Mountain, Central Southeast China

“…Soil is the basis for the survival of humans, animals, and plants [ 1 ], as well as the living space for numerous microorganisms [ 2 ]. Soil quality is the comprehensive expression of soil’s physical, chemical, biological, and other properties.…”