Aggregates morphometry of a Inceptisol under conservationist system

Abstract

Morphological characteristics of the soil aggregates are important tools to analyzing and monitoring the structural quality. The present study aimed to characterize morphometrically aggregates of a Inceptisol, originated from pelitic rocks, after 1.5 years of the implementation of a management system that adopts conservation tillage practices in the coffee cultivation. The aggregates were collected at the depths of 0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.20; 0.20-0.40; 0.40-0.80 m, both at row and interrow position in a coffee field, and also a natural environment of native vegetation that was used as a reference for the study. The analyzes of the aggregates were carried through 2D images obtained by scanning at 300 dpi spatial resolution. Each image contained 60 households and were processed using the software QUANTPORO. The morphometric variables were obtained: area, perimeter, compactness, roughness, appearance and Ferret diameter. For validation, the correlations among morphometric variables determined by image analysis and pattern aggregation indices (GMD, MWD and aggregates retained in the class > 2.00 mm) obtained by wet sieving were studied. After 1.5 years of implantation increased the dimensions of the aggregates on the natural environment have been detected, as well as better structural quality Inceptisol.