Carbon dioxide emission and physical attributes of soil under mechanized sugarcane harvest system

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the most relevant crops in Brazil and, therefore it is imperative that the decisions taken to reach the larger achievable production also contemplate social and environmental perspectives. Mechanized harvest system, applied as an alternative to traditional manual harvesting, support the constitution of a layer of cultural trash which protects the soil and that improves its physical, chemical and biological properties. Besides, beyond its role concerning the culture development, soil can act as a carbon dioxide sink or source, one of the most important greenhouse gases. For this reason, the research over its behavior is quite significant. This study means to analyze soil carbon dioxide emission and soil physical properties under mechanized harvest system, considering spatial variability of these variables. In order to achieve the results, a sampling grid will be installed in an area in which sugarcane harvest is supported by mechanized system, which was installed fifteen years ago. At the intersection points of the sampling grid, carbon dioxide data will be collected, soil resistance to penetration will be measured and soil sampling will be taken at the depths of 0.00-0.10 m, 0.10-0.20 m e 0.20-0.30 m. The samples will be used in granulometric, soil density and porosity, aggregate stability and soil moisture analysis. The results will be interpreted through geostatistics methods, to evaluate the spatial variability of carbon dioxide soil emission and its physical attributes. The aim of this research work is to contribute with the mechanized sugar cane production concerning CO2 emission as well as its relation with soil physical attributes.(AU)