Management discriminant properties in semiarid soils
1998
Quiroga, A. R. | Buschiazzo, D. E. | Peinemann, N.
The physical properties of coarse-textured soils in semiarid regions often deteriorate with use. We hypothesized that the changes in the physical properties of the soil were related to the cropping systems employed. Surface samples of 52 Entic Haplustolls under three different uses (24 under continuous cultivation (C), 18 under rotation with grass leys (R), and 10 virgin soils (V)) were analyzed for clay, silt, organic matter and water content, bulk density, compaction and aggregate stability. Data were analyzed statistically using principal components, canonical variables, and discriminant functions. A satisfactory segregation of the soils according to discriminant properties (coarse organic matter, aggregate stability, and susceptibility to compaction) was obtained. The model developed satisfactorily classified the soils under different uses (100% R, 83% C and 88% V).Principal component analysis also showed that bulk density, compaction, and wet aggregate stability are related to organic matter content. We conclude that, in the studied region, the lower the ratio of organic matter to clay + silt content, the more severe the physical deterioration of the soils.
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