SOIL LOSS IN AGRICULTURE CROPS CULTIVATED IN OXISOLS OF THE MUNICIPALY OF PATROCÍNIO, MG - DOI: 10.13083/1414-3984.v22n05a05

Abstract

Erosive processes, although natural, have been intensified by inadequate soil use causing billions of tones of annual fertile soil losses around the world. Thus, understanding these processes is fundamental for the sustainable development of agriculture activities. This study evaluated soil losses by laminar erosion in seven plots under different treatments (forest, soybean, corn and coffee, pasture and bare soil), in oxisols of the Esmeril Farm, in Patrocínio, MG. The plots of bare soil showed the highest values of soil loss, more than 23 Mg/ha/year. When compared with the values obtained for the bare soil, the forest yielded the lowest total, approximately 38%; among the crops, corn (79%), followed by soybeans (68%) were those with most elevated values for soil loss, significantly higher than coffee and pasture, with 47% and 45%, respectively. Despite the fact that the tillage system used for soybean and corn cultures reduced the sediment production in these areas, they continue to lose a great amount of material during soil preparation and planting. The high value obtained for coffee plantation reflects the wide spacing of the plants in the field.