Spatial variability of soil resistance penetration in forest areas converted for agricultural uses in the Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The knowledge of the spatial variability of soil attributes has been characterized as an important step for an adequate management to be carried out. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate spatial variability of soil resistance to penetration in areas under forest and converted to agricultural uses in the Amazon, Brazil. The study was carried out in Typic Hapludultsin the San Francisco Settlement located in the municipality of Canutama, Amazonas, Brazil. Four areas were selected. The collections proceeded at the crossing points of the grids, under the layers of 0.00-0.05; 0.05-0.10; and 0.10-0.20 m, making a total of 80 sample points in each area. Physical soil analyzes were carried out, with the criterion of determining the texture, soil resistance penetration and soil moisture. The variation in soil moisture content remained constant in all evaluated layers. The PR and soil moisture showed a spatial dependence structure that made it possible to analyze the influence on the different conditions of use and evaluated layers, since the scope of spatial dependence was preponderant to evaluate the scales of spatial variation, mainly in verifying the possible effects and factors that most affect these variables analyzed.