Abstract

LOPEZ, Fernando Manuel; DUVAL, Matías Ezequiel; MARTINEZ, Juan Manuel  and  GALANTINI, Juan Alberto. Porosidad de ustoles bajo siembra directa en el sudoeste bonaerense. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.2, pp.137-184. ISSN 1850-2067.

In agricultural production the appropriate soil physical quality is essential to achieve good crop yields with minor environmental effect. Since no tillage (NT) use broadly expanded in southwestern Buenos Aires, a more detailed knowledge of the physical soil condition under this system is needed. With the aim of analyzing the present physical quality, pore size distribution was deter-mined in Ustolls of southwestern Buenos Aires province under NT (AG) and in quasi pristine environments (AN). Also, the influence of the different granulometric fractions on physical properties was evaluated. Analyzed soils showed a poor subsurface aeration porosity tendency demonstrated by the low macroporosity of the AN (16.6%). In agricultural soils these limitations increased due to lower macroporosity (11.8%). Near 88% of AG presented subsurface physical characteristics that would limit wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) development, even after 12 years under NT. The main limitation was associated with a low macroporosity (pores> 30 µm) that could affect soil aeration and root growth. Although it is not possible to attribute the macroporosity loss to NT management, the way it has been implemented in the region has not been able to reverse the soil physical quality problems. It is necessary to develop land management practices that contribute to the biotic soil structure regeneration (e.g. rotations with pastures, inclusion of crops with deep roots) to ensure adequate physical fertility in subsurface layers of Ustolls under NT in southwestern Buenos Aires.

Keywords : Soil physics; Macropores; Tillage.

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