Aggregate distribution and soil organic matter under different tillage systems for vegetable crops in a Red Latosol from Brazil

Several management systems can improve soil productivity. By studying aggregate stability it is possible to quantify whether or not the management is ameliorating the natural soil properties and the land capability for agriculture. The effect of three tillage systems on the stability of soil aggregates and soil organic carbon was studied in comparison to reference plots with grass and bare soil. Samples were collected at the Pesagro Experimental Research Station in Paty do Alferes, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from an experiment that has been carried out from 1995 to 2001, on a Dystrophic Red Latosol (Typic Haplorthox). Aggregate size distribution mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter of the aggregates, and total organic carbon in each aggregate size fraction were determined. The proportion of aggregates with diameter ≥2 mm appeared to be a suitable indicator of the influence of tillage systems on aggregation. At a depth of 0–5 cm, aggregates ≥2 mm were 50% of soil under no-tillage, which was greater than under animal traction (35%) and conventional tillage (30%). Total organic carbon concentration was greater under no-tillage (19 g kg−1) than under conventional tillage (11 g kg−1) at a depth of 0–5 cm, but not significantly different (average 13 g kg−1) at a depth of 5–10 cm. Soil exposure with tillage and lack of residue inputs caused declines in aggregation and organic carbon, both of which make soil susceptible to erosion. Adoption of no-tillage led to a decline in aggregation compared with grass reference, but did significantly alter soil organic concentration, suggesting it was a valuable conservation practice for vegetable production on sloping soils.