The aim of this study was to evaluate the
response of chemical parameters and microbiological processes related to the
nitrogen (N) cycling in an area cultivated with sugarcane (SC), as compared to
the native forest area (NF), considered as the reference. The pH value, the
total C (Ctot), N (Ntot) contents, the P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn,
Mn, B and Cu contents, the labile carbon (LC) content, cation exchange capacity
(CEC), microbial biomass N (Nmic), potentially mineralizable
nitrogen (PMN) and the urease activity (UA) were determined in soil samples
taken at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. Most of the chemical properties were
higher in the NF soil at both depths, except for Ctot, Ntot and
the total K content, which did not present significant differences between the
areas at the deeper level. All microbiological processes were higher in the
NF soil and showed positive correlations with the total Cu and B contents,
demonstrating the importance of these nutrients in the biological N
cycling. The higher values obtained for
almost all parameters in the NF soil attest to the need for constant monitoring
of areas cultivated with sugarcane in order to avoid the adverse effects of
soil degradation. The results obtained between the areas, in relation to N
cycling processes also demonstrated the suitability of using them as reliable
indicators of soil quality.
Journal Section | Articles |
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Authors | |
Publication Date | April 1, 2018 |
Published in Issue | Year 2018 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 |