Physical and chemical indicators of soil quality in a mountain environment in the Atlantic Forest biome

Abstract

Agricultural sustainability is the ability of a system to produce food properly without damaging environmental conditions. Assessing the quality of the soil and its attributes informs its proper use without compromising ecosystems. This study analyzes the chemical and physical properties of soil at sites under different management in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two cultivation areas were selected: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) production and; secondary forest. Four samples were taken at a depth of 0-10 cm to assess pH in water, Al⁺³, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², P, K⁺, Na⁺, H+Al, carbon (C), particulate organic carbon (COP), organic carbon associated with minerals (COMA), total nitrogen content, carbon stock (SCS), carbon in the free light fraction (FLFC) and intra-aggregate light fraction (ILFC). The apparent density (AD), particle density (PD) and weighted average diameter (WAD) of the aggregates were characterized. High P contents were observed in the tomato area (125.78 to 502.03 mg kg^-1) and in the corn area (127.80 to 253.14 mg kg^-1), indicating excessive fertilization. As for BD, values of 1.25 Mg m^-3 and 1.60 Mg m^-3 were observed in the tomato and corn areas, respectively, which were higher than those observed in the forest area. It was noted that the management carried out in the cultivated areas is not promoting the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. Monitoring soil properties can help identify changes that impact on productivity and environmental quality.

Keywords: agricultural sustainability, environmental fragility, soil conservation.