REDUCING EROSION IN SORGHUM CROPS WITH MULCHING

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252018v31n323rc

Keywords:

Simulated rainfall. Conservationist management. Organic carbon.

Abstract

Researches evaluating the use of mulch has contributing to optimize soil management towards sustainability, and improving soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of mulching on the reduction of erosion in a soil with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) crops subjected to simulated rainfall and increased soil organic carbon. The experiment was carried out from August to December 2013 under field conditions, using a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of sorghum with mulch, using the local vegetation available in the area; and sorghum without mulch. Simulated rainfalls were performed in three different periods of the crop cycle (initial, intermediate, and final), using a rainfall simulator. The use of mulch in soils with sorghum crops was efficient in improving soil water retention in all phases of the crop, and maintaining soil moisture during the rainfall intervals used, resulting in the absence of plant water loss, and greater contribution to soil organic carbon.

Author Biographies

  • Thais Emanuelle Monteiro dos Santos Souza, Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE
    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Departamento de Biofísica e Radioniologia
  • Elisângela Pereira Gonçalves, Center for Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, BA
    Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas
  • Djalma Silva Pereira, Department of Soil, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG
    Departamento de Fitotecnia
  • Luana Menezes dos Santos, Center for Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, BA
    Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas
  • Lívia Santos Machado, Center for Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, BA
    Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas
  • Edivan Rodrigues de Souza, Department of Agronomy, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE
    Departamento de Agronomia

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Published

28-05-2018

Issue

Section

Agricultural Engineering