Abstract

CARVALHO-DOS SANTOS, Daiane et al. Organic matter distribution in classes of aggregates of a red clay Latosol under forestry and pastures. Agrociencia [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.3, pp.231-241. ISSN 2521-9766.

Studies of the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in soil and organic matter fractions contribute significantly to the evaluation of soil quality, particularly in the study region, where there is no information on this topic. Moreover, there is also a worldwide concern about the carbon cycle, depending on the greenhouse effect that harms the world's climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of production systems in TOC concentration in a soil classified as dystrophic red clayey latosol, in the fraction of particulate organic carbon and in the mineral carbon fraction, i. e., the fraction of carbon associated with soil minerals and in various classes of aggregates of the soil planted with: 1) 13 and 20-year-old eucalyptus (Eucalyptus saligna), 2) pastures and 3) native forest where hygrophilous species and deciduous xerophytes dominate. Soil samples were collected in the district of Butiá, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) in 2006 in the depths 0.00 to 0.05, 0.05 to 0.10, 0.10 to 0.20 and from 0.20 to 0.40 m. Samples were air-dried at 20 °C and sieved according to the classes of granulometric fractionation, considering the aggregate classes of 4.76 to 8.00 mm, 2.00 to 4.76 mm, 1.00 to 2.00 mm, 0.50 to 1.00 mm, 0.25 to 0.50 mm and <0.25 mm. For each class of aggregate, particulate organic carbon and TOC was determined. The highest TOC concentrations, particulate organic carbon and mineral carbon occurred in the largest fraction (8.00 to 4.76 mm). In pasture soils greatest TOC accumulation was found at depth of 0.05 to 0.20 m, in classes of aggregates 8.00 to 0.50 mm.

Keywords : Eucalyptus saligna; land use systems; soil quality; forestation; particulate organic carbon and soil mineral; microaggregates and macroaggregates.

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