Changes in sugar cane root development and in the physical, chemical and biological soil attributes in three soil preparation systems.

Abstract

The tillage systems are closely linked to the physical, chemical and biological soil attributes changes, which are directly related with the drainage, infiltration, erosion and mineralization. Thus, the inappropriate soil preparation can compromise the soil density, structure and aggregation, nutrient absorption and the root system growth. Knowledge about the changes in soil attributes and their impact on growth and plant development has a fundamental importance. The objective of this project is to assess the impact of the adoption of systems of soil preparation for sugar cane crop in the physical, chemical and biological soil attributes, on root growth and on crop yield. The expansion of cane sugar crop to areas previously occupied by pastures has brought concerns because these areas have been established mostly in fragile soils such as Ultisols and Alfisols of the West and Northwest of the state of São Paulo..The study will be done in the counties of Pindorama and Guaíra, in the state of São Paulo. Experimental plots will be installed with the systems as treatments: conventional tillage, no tillage and reduced tillage. It will be determined in soil: texture, moisture retention characteristic curve of water, density and porosity, aggregation, penetration resistance, hydraulic conductivity, water erosion, fertility, carbon and nitrogen storage and the CO2 quotient. In the plant will be evaluated growth and root development and yield of cane sugar. The project will be developed with time as estimated period of one year and a half.