Spatial variability of soil density and organic matter content in area cultivated with sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.).

Abstract

Industrial export products obtained from sugar cane are of utmost importance for the Brazilian economy. However, cultivation of this crop can cause alterations in the physical and chemical soil attributes. The knowledge of the spatial variability of soil attributes can be useful for soil management. Hence, the objective of this work was to study the spatial variability of soil density and organic matter content through geoestatistical techniques, in an area cultivated with sugarcane in Perdões, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.  Soil samples (49) were collected in the soil layers of 0-20 and 20-40cm of depth to determine soil density (Ds) and organic matter content (OM). The geoestatistical analyses were accomplished by the program GeoR. The results showed that the 0-20cm soil layer is less compacted and with higher OM content as compared to the 20-40cm soil layer. In a general way, the model of the variogram that presented larger space dependence was the exponential, followed by the spherical. Ds and OM presented high variability inside the soil, and  the knowledge of the correct value for each point of the area can  bring benefits to soil and crop management.