Soil physical quality in forest, livestock and integrated production systems

Abstract

Inadequate soil management can negatively affect soil physical attributes. The objective of this work was to verify the soil physical quality in forest, livestock and integrated production systems in Oxisol in Center-South of Paraná. In order to evaluate the soil physical quality, soil samples were collected and the following physical attributes were determined: soil density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, total aeration capacity, field capacity and soil water storage capacity. Four systems of use and management were investigated: (i) regeneration area with native forest species (NATIVAS), (ii) native pasture (PASTO), (iii) reforestation with Pinus taeda (PINUS) and (iv) agricultural-livestock integration system (SIAP). The SIAP and PASTO systems presented the highest values of soil density, microporosity and field capacity, and lower values of macroporosity and total aeration capacity. The PINUS and NATIVAS systems had the lowest values of soil density, microporosity and field capacity, and higher values of macroporosity and total aeration capacity.