Abstract

CAMPITELLI, Paola et al. Soil quality indicators of the effects of land use and agricultural practices in a pilot area of the central region of Córdoba. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.2, pp.223-231. ISSN 1850-2067.

The aim of this study was to determine the best indicators of soil quality in a central area of Córdoba Province. The study was carried out on a Typic Haplustol. Six treatments were evaluated in three sites for each treatment. Organic carbon content (CO), total nitrogen (NT), pH, electrical conductivity (CE), extractable phosphorus (PE), light carbon, humic and fulvic acids, bulk density, mean weight diameter change (CDMP), A-horizon thickness (HzA) and CaCO₃ depth were determined. Principal Component Analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between soil parameters, between parameters and treatments and between treatments. The results show that the most adequate soil quality indicators -and the simplest- are those related to soil fertility: organic matter, total nitrogen and extractable phosphorus; and to susceptibility to erosion (CDMP, CaCO₃ and A-horizon thickness). The decrease in CO content and its fractions and in macronutrients (NT and PE) and the increase in susceptibility to hydric erosion over the years as a consequence of agricultural practices such as soybean monoculture and traditional sowing have led to a deterioration in soil quality compared to native woodlands where the soil potential is higher. Under semi-arid conditions, direct sowing did not improve the physical properties of the soil or its organic content and fractions under a soybean monoculture.

Keywords : Chemical properties; Physical properties; Rotations; Monoculture; Principal component analysis.

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