Abstract

LUCIO, Francisco A. do Carmo et al. Physical and chemical soil quality index in irrigated acai plantations, eastern amazon, Brazil. Agrociencia [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.4, pp.361-375. ISSN 2521-9766.

Knowledge of the soil quality in acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) plantations is very important to the northern region of Brazil because it is a native species with high economic value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of a Yellow Latosol in an irrigated acai plantation by determining the soil quality index (SQI). the soil was classified as dystrophic Yellow Latosol with medium texture. The water retention curve and soil penetration resistance were determined using 45 undisturbed samples obtained at 0.1 and 0.3 m depth and distributed across two transects. For SQI determination, 15 soil quality indicators at a depth of 0.1 m were evaluated: soil bulk density (Bd); total porosity (TP); macroporosity (Map); penetration resistance (PR); pH in water; P, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, H+Al, and Al³⁺ levels; organic matter (OM); sum of bases (SB): cation exchange capacity (CEC); and base saturation (V%). the RSS function, to receive, store, and supply water in the soil, was the indicator that most inꔀuenced the quality index formation. Soil function was limited for PGR to promote the roots growth, because it represented 22 % of the SQI, but it should be responsible for 25 %. the NS function to provide nutrient supply, was the least limiting to the SQI. the global SQI value of 0.641 suggests that irrigated acai plantation production in Yellow Latosol needs to be improved to PGR, which was limited in the surface layer.

Keywords : Soil water retention curve; soil penetration resistance; principal function; score standardization curves; environmental susceptibility.

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