Effect of the application of organic compost on the process of crust formation and the recuperation of degraded soils by water erosion / Efeito da aplicação de composto orgânico sobre o processo de encrostamento e a recuperação de solos degradados pela erosão hídrica

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

The generation of organic waste along with soil erosion are two major environmental problems worldwide. They are responsible for the reduction of agricultural productivity and high environmental impacts. The objective of this dissertation is the use of organic waste generated in agriculture, in the form of organic compost, for the recovery of degraded areas by water erosion. The effects of four doses of compost (0, 20, 40 and 100 Mg.ha-1) in the recovery of degraded soils by erosion, was tested. Added to this, the effect of the dose of compost on the process of soil surface crusting surface was also tested. The project was composed of two experiments, one with no erosion and the other with erosion (removal of a layer of 50 cm of soil), conducted concurrently in the same area. The experimental design for each experiment was completely randomized with 4 treatments (0, 20, 40 and 100 Mg.ha-1) and 4 replications. For the monitoring of the recovery of soil and the process of crusting according to the different doses of compost, deformed and undeformed soil samples were collected for routine physical and chemical analyses soil density evaluation, determination of the characteristic water retention curve, and for micromorphological and image analysis. In the field, rain, hydraulic conductivity and soil water infiltration were monitored. It was clear that with the increasing doses of organic compost used in the soil, the chemical condition meliorated. The content of the nutrients increased as the dose of compost was also increased. The action of organic matter in the soil collaborated with an increase in its water retention mainly for doses of 40 and 100 Mg.ha-1. This better water retention helped, together with the chemical recuperation, in the growth of the crops in the dry season thereby ensuring a higher dry matter yield, mainly in the dose of 100 Mg.ha-1. The increasing soil porosity over time observed in all doses of compost applied, led to a decrease in the soil density. The hydraulic conductivity of the soil was reduced in both experiments for all the applied compost doses. This reduction can be explained by the increase of the soil crusting process over time, especially in the doses of 0 and 20 Mg.ha-1, hampering the water infiltration in the soil. Therefore, the application of high doses of organic compost accelerates the recuperation of the chemical and physical attributes of the soil. It also collaborates in reducing the formation of vesicles in the superficial crust and decreases the effects of the impact of the raindrops on the crust formation.

ASSUNTO(S)

organic compost micromorphology recuperação do solo. soil crust morfologia do solo water erosion analysis of image composting erosão compostos orgânicos degradação do solos recuperation of degraded areas

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