ABSTRACT Agroecological management can favor the improvement of soil attributes, especially soil organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregation. The objective of the study was to quantify the carbon contents of the humic and oxidizable fractions of SOM of aggregates from different origins from agroecological management systems. Five experimental areas located in the Integrated Agroecological Production System were evaluated: AFS – Agroforestry System; C-SUN – Coffee in full sun; C-SHA – Shaded coffee; AL-FLE – Cultivation in alleys of Flemingia macrophylla with green beans; and NT – No-tillage. The aggregates were separated, identified, and classified as to their origin or formation pathways into biogenic, intermediate, and physicogenic. The carbon contents of the humic fractions fulvic acid (C-FAF), humic acid (C-HAF) and humin (C-HUMF); and oxidizable fractions (F1 and F2, labile; and F3 and F4, recalcitrant) of SOM were determined. The greatest variations in the carbon values of the humic fractions were observed in the aggregates of the AFS, C-SUN and C-SHA systems. In relation to C-HUMF, the highest contents of this fraction were quantified in the biogenic and intermediate aggregates of the C-SUN, C-SHA and AL-FLE systems. The carbon contents of the oxidizable fractions of SOM showed variability between the management systems, mainly for the F1, F2 and F3 fractions in the aggregates under C-SUN and C-SHA. The C-SUN system showed a higher proportion of more humified and recalcitrant fractions of SOM when compared to the C-SHA system. The management practices maids in the agroecological systems of C-SHA, C-SUN and AFS promoted improvements in soil quality.

RESUMO O manejo agroecológico pode favorecer a melhoraria dos atributos do solo, com destaque para a matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e agregação do solo. O objetivo do estudo foi quantificar os teores de carbono das frações húmicas e oxidáveis da MOS de agregados de diferentes origens de sistemas de manejo agroecológico. Foram avaliadas cinco áreas experimentais localizadas no Sistema Integrado de Produção Agroecológica: SAF – Sistema agroflorestal; C-SOL – Café em pleno sol; C-SOM – Café sombreado; AL-FLE – Cultivo em aleias de flemíngia com vagem; e PD – Plantio direto. Os agregados foram separados, identificados e classificados quanto à sua origem ou vias de formação em biogênicos, intermediários e fisiogênicos. Nestes, foram determinados os teores de carbono das frações ácido fúlvico (C-FAF), ácido húmico (C-FAH) e humina (C-FHUM); e das frações oxidáveis (F1 e F2, frações lábeis; e F3 e F4, frações recalcitrantes). As maiores variações nos valores de carbono das frações húmicas foram verificadas nos agregados sob SAF, C-SOL e C-SOM. Em relação ao C-FHUM, nos agregados biogênicos e intermediários de C -SOL, C-SOM e AL-FLE foram quantificados os maiores teores dessa fração. Os teores de carbono das frações oxidáveis apresentaram variabilidade entre os sistemas de manejo, principalmente para as frações F1, F2 e F3 nos agregados sob C-SOL e C-SOM. No sistema de C-SOL verifica-se maior proporção de frações mais humificadas e recalcitrantes da MOS em comparação à C-SOM. As práticas de manejo empregadas nos sistemas agroecológicos de C-SOM, C-SOL e SAF proporcionaram melhorias na qualidade do solo.

ABSTRACT: The soil particles can be gathered through physical and/or chemical processes in association with the biological activity, leading to the formation of aggregates. Soil aggregates has several functions in the soil, increasing macroporosity and water circulation - consequently reducing soil erosion and mechanical resistance to root growth, contributing to greater fixation of plants to the soil and absorption of water and nutrients, and protection of intra-aggregate organic matter. The aggregates were initially classified morphologically and in terms of their stability. In recent years, another way of evaluating aggregates, regarding their formation or origin pathway, has gained prominence in the studies conducted in Brazil. As for their origin, the aggregates can be classified morphologically as physicogenic, biogenic, or intermediate. This manuscript presents the techniques used to sample aggregates, the morphological patterns for their distinction observed in different soil classes and management types, and the chemical and physical properties. Additionally, we present analyses that are not commonly used to evaluate aggregates but which have the potential to be used as tools for a better understanding of their origin and to evaluate their modifications when subject to different types of management. In practical terms, identifying the aggregate origin and determining the related attributes allows recognizing the effect of vegetation/soil/management on soil aggregate forming agents, mainly roots and soil fauna, which reflects soil quality. For future studies, and especially to determine the importance of biogenic aggregation in improving edaphic properties, we suggest the use of micromorphology, near-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray computed tomography, clay dispersion analyses in addition with chemical, physical, and biological analysis. This approach can contribute to the identification of other patterns related to pedogenesis and the pathways of aggregate formation.

RESUMO No Brasil, a fim de minimizar o impacto da exploração de espécies arbóreas para fins comerciais em florestas nativas, plantios florestais têm sido implantados, majoritariamente, com espécies exóticas. A avaliação de tais cultivos quanto ao impacto proporcionado ao ambiente em atributos que podem garantir sua produtividade tem recebido maior atenção nos últimos anos, enquadrando-se neste contexto, o estudo de atributos microbiológicos. Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os impactos de plantios florestais de Pinus sp. (pinus) e Araucaria angustifolia (araucária) sobre os atributos microbiológicos do solo e a estrutura da comunidade bacteriana, que podem funcionar como indicadores da qualidade do solo. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de solo em três áreas na Floresta Nacional de Três Barras (FLONA), Santa Catarina (SC): uma área de floresta nativa (F), uma área de reflorestamento com araucária (A) e outra com pinus (P). Posteriormente, foi realizada a caracterização química e física do solo, além das análises microbiológicas: respiração basal, atividade da enzima β-glucosidase e fosfatase ácida, , e análise da estrutura de comunidades bacterianas PCR-DGGE. Os solos das três áreas de estudo apresentaram baixa fertilidade, destacando a importância dos micro-organismos para a manutenção desses ambientes. A atividade da enzima β-glucosidase e da fosfatase ácida foi maior nas áreas F e A, sugerindo maior presença de micro-organismos importantes para a ciclagem de nutrientes. A análise da estrutura da comunidade bacteriana demonstrou que há uma baixa divergência entre as áreas de pinus e araucária. Pode-se concluir que, com base nos atributos microbiológicos e na estrutura de comunidades bacterianas do solo, em plantios florestais da Mata Atlântica, a araucária destaca-se como melhor alternativa para reflorestamento, visando a manutenção da qualidade do solo.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, in order to minimize the impact of native forest exploitation for commercial purposes, forest plantations have been implemented mainly with exotic species. The evaluation of these crops as to the environmental impact on attributes that can guarantee their productivity has received more attention in the last years, and in this context, the study of microbiological attributes. This paper assesses the impact of Pinus sp. (pinus) and Araucaria angustifolia (araucária) forest plantations on the microbiological soil attributes and the structure of bacterial communities, which can act as indicators of soil quality. Soil samples have been collected on three areas of the National Forest of Três Barras, in Santa Catarina (SC) state: one area of native forest (F), one area of reforestation with araucária (A) and one area of reforestation with pinus (P). Later on, the soil was chemically and physically characterized and the microbiological analyses were performed, as basal respiration, β-glucosidase and fosfatase enzymatic activity and analysis of bacterial community structure by PCR-DGGE. Low fertility was presented on all three soils collected, highlighting the importance of microorganisms in order to maintain this environment. The β-glucosidase and fosfatase enzymatic activity were higher on the areas F and A, suggesting a higher presence of important microorganisms for nutrients cycling. The analysis of the bacteria community structure resulted in low distinction between the pinus and the araucária areas. This paper presents that based on the microbiological attributes and structure of bacterial communities of soil, in forest plantations of the Atlantic Forest, it is possible to conclude that araucária is the best alternative for reforestation, aiming the maintenance of soil quality.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the accumulation and distribution of Cu and Zn fractions in the profile of an Inceptisol by application of fungicides with a previous history of apple cultivation in southern Brazil. Stratified soil samples (0.0 – 0.025 m, 0.025 –0.050 m, 0.05 – 0.10 m, 0.10 – 0.15 m, 0.15 – 0.20 m and 0.20 – 0.40 m depth) were collected in two apple orchards (8 years old and 18 years old), and in a native pasture area adjacent to the orchards. The soil was subjected to analysis of physical and chemical properties and to chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn. The fractions of soluble, exchangeable, organic, residual and total Cu and Zn accumulated in the topsoil (0.0 – 0.025 m) of the orchards, being higher in the orchard cultivated for 18 years. Most Cu, especially in the topsoil of the 18 years old orchard, accumulated in the less stable organic fraction, which can potentiate toxicity to plants and transfer Cu e Zn to ground water. In deeper layers, Cu was also distributed in the residual and mineral fractions, which are more stable. Most Zn in the soil of the apple orchards was distributed in the mineral and residual fractions, which have low mobility and low potential toxicity to plants.

ABSTRACT Carbon (C) contents of humic substances (HS) in soil aggregates are a sensitive indicator of changes in the edaphic quality caused by soil management systems and/or cover plant species. The aim of this study was to assess total contents of C and HS of organic matter in soil aggregates cultivated with onion under a no-till vegetable production system (NTVS) and conventional tillage (CT) compared to a secondary forest area. Treatments consisted of single and mixed cover crops and onion under NTVS: spontaneous vegetation, 100% black oat; 100% rye; 100% oilseed radish; consortium of oilseed radish (14%) + rye (86%); consortium of oilseed radish (14%) + black oat (86%). An area cultivated with onion under CT (± 37 years) and a forest area (secondary forest; ± 30 years) were also evaluated. Five years after implementation of NTVS, undisturbed soil specimens were collected from the 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m layers and aggregates were obtained (8.00 mm > Ø > 2.0 mm). In tríese aggregates, total organic carbon (TOC) and C of HS were determined, subdividided into a fulvic acid fraction (C-FAF), humic acid fraction (C-HAF) and humin (C-HUM). With the C values of the HS the following ratios were calculated: C-HAF/C-FAF and (C-HAF+C-FAF)/C-HUM. The highest content of TOC, C-FAF, C-HAF and C-HUM were found in the forest. In NTVS, the contents of TOC (at the 0.0-0.05 m depth) and C-HUM (0.0-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m) were higher than those found under CT. The highest C-FAF contents were found under CT. NTVS compared to CT favors the humification process (higher C-HUM content and lower ratios of C-HAF+C-FAF/C-HUM (at the 0.0-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m depths) and the protection of organic matter (higher TOC contents at the 0.0-0.05 m depth)). A linear relationship was observed between C-HUM and N of HS. Among the cover plant species, rye alone and rye combined with oilseed radish had the best results regarding humification of organic matter with predominance of C-HUM and C-HAF. This pattern was also observed in the control for C-HUM, due to the abundance of plant families and species, indicating that plant biodiversification is an effective way to improve the quality of soil.

RESUMEN Los contenidos de carbono (C) de las sustancias húmicas (SH) en los agregados del suelo son un indicador sensible de los cambios en la calidad edáfica causados por los sistemas de manejo del suelo y / o las especies vegetales de cobertura. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el contenido total de C y SH de materia orgánica en agregados de suelo cultivado con cebolla bajo sistema de siembra directa de hortalizas (SSDH) y sistema de preparación convencional (SPC), comparando con un área de bosque. Los tratamientos consistieron en cultivos de cobertura solos y asociados con cebolla bajo SSDH: vegetación espontánea, 100% avena negra; 100% centeno; 100% nabo forrajero; consorcio de nabo (14%) + centeno (86%); consorcio de nabo (14%) + avena negra (86%). También se evaluó un área cultivada con cebolla bajo SPC (± 37 años) y un área de bosque (bosque secundario, ± 30 años). Cinco años después de la implementación de SSDH, se escogieron muestras de suelo de las capas 0,0-0,05, 0,05-0.10 y 0,10-0,20 my obtenidos los agregados (8.00 > Ø > 2,0 mm). En estos agregados, se determinaron el carbono orgánico total (COT) y C de SH, subdivididos en fracción ácido fúlvico (C-FAF), fracción ácido húmico (C-FAH) y humin (C-HUM). Con los valores de C de las SH, se calcularon las siguientes proporciones: C-FAH/C- FAF y (C-FAH + C-FAF)/C- HUM. El mayor contenido de COT, C-FAF, C-FAH y C-HUM se obtuvo en el bosque. En SSDH, los contenidos de COT (0,0-0,05 m) y C-HUM (0,0-0,05 y 0,05-0,10 m) fueron más altos que aquellos encontrados bajo SPC. Los contenidos más altos de C-FAF se encontraron bajo SPC. En SSDH en comparación con SPC favorece el proceso de humificación (mayor contenido de C-HUM y menores índices de C-FAH + C-FAF/C- HUM (en las profundidades de 0.0-0.05 y 0,05-0,10 m) y la protección de la materia orgánica (mayor contenido de COT a 0,0-0,05 m de profundidad)). Entre las especies de plantas de cobertura, el centeno solo y centeno asociado con nabo tuvieron los mejores resultados en cuanto a la humificación de materia orgánica con predominio de C-HUM y C-FAH. Este patrón también se observó en el control para o C-HUM, debido a la abundancia de familias de plantas y especies, lo que indica que la biodiversidad de las plantas es una forma efectiva de mejorar la calidad del suelo.