Physical-hydric-chemical characterization of Red Latosol under no-tillge system in the Western of Paraná

Abstract

The intensive use and inadequate handling of the soil produce a series of problems associated with compaction, low permeability and soil erosion in different regions of Brazil. The evaluation of the physical-hydric behaviour, associated with the chemical description of the surface and the sub-surface horizons of the soil can help to understand the structural changes of the water circulation and soil fertility. Looking for the contribution of this theme, this work, developed in the Western Mesoregion of Paraná, evaluated the physical-hydric-chemical behavior of a toposequence composed by a pedological system created by Eutroferric Red Latosol. For the realization of the toposequence and classification of the soils, the precepts of structural analysis of soil cover and the Brazilian System of Soil Classification. Physical analyses of soil density, total porosity and granulometry were made, in addition to routine chemical analyses (pH, MO, P, Al, k, Mg, SB, CTC and V%). In the field, infiltration speed and hydraulic conductivity tests were performed using the Guelph Permeameter. The chemical data evidenced that the organic matter contents, the values of CTC and soil acidity have suitable conditions for agricultural crops. Now, the physical-hydric results revealed structural and permeability problems, with high compaction, with proven reduction of porosity and low hydraulic conductivity in the surface horizons of the soils.