Mechanical and biological soil decompaction under no-tillage: impact on soil physical attributes and grain yield

• Grant number: 09/10559-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2009
• End date: September 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Alvaro Pires da Silva
• Grantee: Alvaro Pires da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Eventual soil subsoiling is one of the frequently indications to alleviate soil compaction under no-tillage system worldwide. However there is a lack of scientific information on this subject in the pioneer area for no-tillage system in Brazil (Ponta Grossa, Paraná). Therefore the objective of this research is to evaluate, in a clay Oxisol, the impact of mechanical and biological subsoiling on soil physical attributes and summer crop yield. The research site is located at the State University of Ponta Grossa research farm in Paraná, Brazil which is considered a reference in no-till system research. A randomized block experimental design will be used in which three experimental treatments: no-till (control), mechanical subsoiling and biological subsoiling (forage Turnip) will be replicated four times. Sampling will be conducted four times during two years in order to evaluate the following soil physical attributes: water retention and resistance to penetration curves, the least limiting water range, the hydraulic conductivity and air permeability. In addition to the soil physical parameters summer crop yield will be evaluated. (AU)