EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF A DYSTROFERRIC RED LATOSOL (OXISOL) UNDER DIFFERENT FOREST SETTLEMENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the structural quality of a dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol) under four forest settlements at Federal University of Lavras campus. The studied forest settlements were: Pinus sp. (PP), Eucalyptus sp. (PE), Hevea brasiliensis (PHB), and native forest (PNF). The mean annual precipitation and temperature for the region are 1493 mm and 19.3°C, respectively. For each studied settlement, disturbed and undisturbed samples from 0-5 cm depth were collected. The studied physical attributes were: aggregates stability, expressed through geometric average diameter, porosity distribution, penetration resistance and permeability. The PNF revealed the highest permeability value (139 mm h^-1), followed by PHB (57 mm h^-1), PP and PE (40 mm h^-1). The highest value for penetration resistance was verified for PP, followed by PE and PHB. The smallest value was presented by PNF. Through this study, it can be concluded that the physical attributes, permeability and soil resistance to penetration, utilized as indicators of soil structural quality, present good performance in distinguishing the effects proportionated by the introduction of fast growth species, contributing for the sustainable management of the studied soil.