Miriam Fernanda Rodrigues

Load dissipation by corn residue on tilled soil in laboratory and field-wheeling conditions.

Crop residues may partially dissipate applied loads and reduce soil compaction. We evaluated the effect of corn residue on energy-applied dissipation during wheeling. The experiment consisted of a preliminary laboratory test and a confirmatory field test on a Paleaudalf soil. In the laboratory, an adapted Proctor test was performed with three energy levels, with and without corn residue. Field treatments consisted of three 5.1 Mg tractor wheeling intensities (0, 2, and 6), with and without 12 Mg ha(-1) corn residue on the soil surface. Corn residue on the soil surface reduced soil bulk density in the adapted Proctor test. By applying energy of 52.6 kN m m(-3) , soil dissipated 2.98% of applied energy, whereas with 175.4 kN m m(-3) a dissipation of 8.60% was obtained. This result confirms the hypothesis that surface mulch absorbs part of the compaction effort. Residue effects on soil compaction observed in the adapted Proctor test was not replicated under subsoiled soil field conditions, because of differences in applied pressure and soil conditions (structure, moisture and volume confinement). Nevertheless, this negative result does not mean that straw has no effect in the field. Such effects should be measured via stress transmission and compared to soil load-bearing capacity, rather than on bulk deformations. Wheeling by heavy tractor on subsoiled soil increased compaction, independently of surface residue. Two wheelings produced a significantly increase, but six wheelings did not further increase compaction. Reduced traffic intensity on recently tilled soil is necessary to minimize soil compaction, since traffic intensity show a greater effect than surface mulch on soil protection from excessive compaction.

Compactação do solo na integração soja-pecuária de leite em Latossolo argiloso com semeadura direta e escarificação

Soil compaction from animal traffic is a concern in crop-livestock systems. This experiment was set up in 2007 with the aim of evaluating the effect of different soil management systems and animal traffic on soil physical and water properties and soybean development and yield. The soil evaluated was a dystrofic Red Latosol (Oxisol) under a no-tillage grain crop system intercropped with forage for the past decade. The effect of animal traffic was evaluated in regard to soil bulk density (Bd), macroporosity (Ma), microporosity (Mi), total porosity (TP), soil resistance to penetration (RP) and soil moisture content (θ), as well as soybean emergence, height and yield. A randomized block experimental design was used with three replications, with the treatments of no-tillage soybean cropping without grazing (SD/SP), no-tillage cropping with grazing in oats (SD/CP) and chisel plowing with grazing (ESC/CP). Soil samples were collected in the 0.00 to 0.07 m, 0.07 to 0.15 m and 0.20 to 0.30 m layers at three time periods: before grazing (August 2007), after grazing (December 2007) and after grazing (October 2008). There was no significant effect of grazing on Bd and TP. At 140 days after sowing of soybean, RP reached values above 2 MPa in the 0.00 to 0.15 m layer in the treatments SD/SP and SD/CP, without limiting crop development. Chisel plowing of the soil in crop-livestock integration under the no-tillage system led to soil physical-water conditions less favorable to plant development. Plant height in the SD/SP was greater than in the treatments SD/CP and ESC/CP, and the lowest grain yield was obtained through chisel plowing of the soil in a year with water deficit.

Condutividade e retenção de água em neossolos e saprolitos derivados de arenito

SUMMARY : HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY AND WATER RETENTION INLEPTOSOLS-REGOSOLS AND SAPROLITE DERIVED FROMSANDSTONE, BRAZIL Leptosols and Regosols are soils with a series of restrictions for use, mainly related to theeffective depth, which have been poorly studied in Brazil. These soils, when derived fromsedimentary rocks should be treated with particular care to avoid environmental damage suchas aquifer contamination. The purpose of this study was to verify the behavior of hydraulicconductivity and water retention capacity in profiles of Leptosols and Regosols derived fromsandstone of the Caturrita formation in Rio Grande do Sul state. The morphology, particlesize distribution, porosity, soil density (Ds), saturated hydraulic conductivity (K s ), basic waterinfiltration in the field (BI) and water retention were determined in soil and saprolite samplesof six soil profiles. High Ds, low macroporosity and high microporosity were observed in theprofiles, resulting in a low K s and BI, even under conditions of sandy texture and a highlyfractured saprolite layer. The variation coefficients of data of K

Recommendations for Capacity Development in Water Resources Engineering and Environmental Management in Latin America

Socioeconomic development often causes environmental and water related problems. Any solution requires knowledge, willingness and sufficient financial and technical means. Such capacity is limited in many developing and threshold countries. To identify opportunities for strengthening capacity in water and environmental management, we analysed University curricula, identified synergies between Universities and practice, explored the potential of vocational training and awareness raising, and developed regional concepts for risk communication. The results present ways how Universities can make capacity development in the water sector in Latin America more efficient. We recommend to modernize curricula, to strengthen vocational training, to intensify public involvement and cooperation with practice, and provide methodological advice for implementation.

PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS E QUÍMICAS DE UM ARGISSOLO SOB CULTIVO DE Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden NO PAMPA GAÚCHO

The conversion of natural vegetation to cultivated areas as well as changes in vegetation cover can lead to changes in some soil properties, interfering on their quality. Such changes occur in the soil structure and in the chemical properties. Therefore, the study has the objective to evaluate the changes in the physical and chemical properties of an Ultisol after afforestation of Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden planted in different spacing resulting in several plant populations. The study was accomplished in ‘Campanha Gaucha’ region, in Sao Francisco de Assis city, Rio Grande do Sul state (RS). It was carried out an experiment planted with Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden planted on Ultisol with native grass. The plant spacings used were: 3,50 m x 3,50 m; 3,50 m x 1,75 m; 1,75 m 1,75 m and 1,75 m x 0,87 m. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with four replicates. It was collected soil samples were taken before the Eucalyptus planting and after twelve months, and layers of 0,00-0,10 m; 0,10-0,20 m and 0,20-0,40 m. The soil physical properties measured were: bulk density, total, macro and microporosity and wet aggregate size distribution. The soil chemical measured were: water pH, Al +++ , Ca ++ , Mg ++ , K + , available P, N and C. There were change in the macro and microporosity, in the percentage of stable aggregates of size class 8,00-4,75 mm and DMG because to soil tillage and forest management. For the chemical properties there were increase in the pH and Ca content in the soil after twelve months by effect to fertilization applied.

GRAZING CHANGES THE SOIL-PLANT RELATIONSHIP IN THE TREE-REGENERATION STRATUM IN THE PAMPA OF SOUHTERN BRAZIL

Despite being prominent in flora, the region of the Parque Estadual do Espinilho located in the Pampas of southern Brazil, where dense herbaceous stratum and isolated trees make this region suitable for livestock farming, has received little attention. The objective of the study was to analyze floristic and edaphic changes imposed by livestock farming in two areas of the park, the first under livestock grazing and the second protected from grazing (livestock-excluded) for five years. We evaluated soil physical properties of and the herbaceous aboveground biomass in order to investigate relationships with key regenerating tree species. A sampling unit of 2ha was installed in both areas, each composed of 200 subunits. Inventory of regenerating trees and herbaceous aboveground biomass, soil sampling, and soil penetration resistance tests were done in 50 subunits. The results, which were evaluated by Student’s t-test, exhibited variations between the two areas in regards to floristic and environmental factors. The abundance of the P. affinis and V. caven species and the variables of soil penetration resistance, soil bulk density, gravimetric moisture and herbaceous aboveground biomass differ significantly between the two areas. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) allows to infer that variables such as soil bulk density, penetration resistance and the abundance of V. caven species exhibit higher values in the area under gazing, while gravimetric moisture, aboveground biomass and abundance of P. affinis are higher in the area under livestock-excluded, showing that significant changes occur over just five years of livestock-excluded from the area.