African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6728

Full Length Research Paper

Soil porosity and density in sugarcane cultivation under different tillage systems

Everton Martins Arruda
  • Everton Martins Arruda
  • Federal University of Goiás, Agronomy School, Zip Code: 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Risely Ferraz de Almeida
  • Risely Ferraz de Almeida
  • Agrarian and Veterinarian Faculty, State University of São Paulo, Zip Code: 18610-307, Jaboticabal, São Paulo Brazil.
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Luis Augusto da Silva Domingues
  • Luis Augusto da Silva Domingues
  • Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, Sobradinho Farm, Zip Code: 38400-974, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Antonio Carlos da Silva Junior
  • Antonio Carlos da Silva Junior
  • Agrarian and Veterinarian Faculty, State University of São Paulo, Zip Code: 18610-307, Jaboticabal, São Paulo Brazil.
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Emmerson Rodrigues de Moraes
  • Emmerson Rodrigues de Moraes
  • Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zip code: 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Leonardo Rodrigues Barros
  • Leonardo Rodrigues Barros
  • Federal University of Goiás, Agronomy School, Zip Code: 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Jessika Lorrine de Oliveira Sousa
  • Jessika Lorrine de Oliveira Sousa
  • Federal University of Goiás, Agronomy School, Zip Code: 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Regina Maria Quintao Lana
  • Regina Maria Quintao Lana
  • Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zip code: 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 04 November 2015
  •  Accepted: 17 February 2016
  •  Published: 28 July 2016

Abstract

Monitoring the physical quality of soils under intensive sugarcane production requires sustainable forms of use and soil management. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of soil tillage systems on soil porosity and density in ratoon-cane cultivation, in addition to possible changes which may occur during the season. The experiment was carried out in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The Experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. The following tillage systems were evaluated: 1. Moldboard plow + Harrow; 2. Subsoiler + Harrow; 3. Direct planting; 4. Subsoiler + Direct planting; 5. Stubble thrasher + Subsoiler; 6. Stubble thrasher + Harrow + Moldboard plow + Harrow, in soil layers 0-0.2; 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-0.6 m. Regardless of the tillage system used during sugarcane cultivation, the ratoon crop showed reduced total soil pore volume and macroporosity, as well as increased soil density in the 0.4-0.6 m layer. However, the use of direct planting resulted in +higher ​​soil macroporosity values in the 0-0.2 m layer and yields similar to conventional systems which use the moldboard plow. Therefore, it is recommended for producers to adopt conservation soil tillage systems, combining productivity and soil quality.

 

Key words: Soil management, ratoon-cane, soil compaction, conservation system.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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