Variability of chemical properties of Alluvial soil of Picos island (Pernambuco, Brazil).

Abstract

The soils are heterogeneous bodies with wide variation of chemical properties that influence the agricultural productivity. That’s why they should be managed the best possible way. Thus, this work aimed to study the variability of chemical properties of the alluvial soil in Picos Island, PE, located in São Francisco River, providing financial assistences that facilitate the recommendation of the appropriate soil management. In an experimental area of 150 ha, 158 soil samples were collected in the depth of 0 - 0, 30 m. These samples were analyzed for chemical properties and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Besides Al and Na, there was a higher variability for P, organic matter and H + Al. The lowest variability was observed in soil pH. The data did not present a normal distribution. Most soil samples presented low percentage of Na, Al, H + Al and organic matter and medium percentage of P, K and CEC concentrations; values of soil pH, Ca and Mg concentrations were appropriate for most crops and were classified as medium fertility.