ABSTRACT Segmental liming involves the incorporation of lime into the subsoil in narrow strips, typically associated with deep ripping. This study aimed to evaluate the vertical and horizontal distribution of soil acidity and nutrient availability in a Ferralsol under no-tillage five months after segmental liming. The equipment used for lime application featured a chisel of seven rods with a spacing of 70 cm, and a working depth of 40 cm. The lime rate used was 1.0 Mg ha-1 of limestone with high effective neutralizing value (ENV = 170%). Soil samples were taken at eight layers (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-35, and 35-40 cm), in the passage line of the equipment and at 10, 20, and 30 cm to the side between rods. The available soil phosphors (P) and potassium (K) did not exhibit any horizontal and vertical changes as a result of segmental liming. Conversely, within the 10-25 cm depth along the rod application line, the soil pH increased from 5.3 to 5.9. Additionally, the exchangeable Ca increased from 60 to 78 mmolc dm-3 and the exchangeable Mg increased from 21 to 32 mmolc dm-3. The base saturation also increased from 56 to 73%, and the Al saturation decreased from 11 to 2%, when compared to samples collected at 10, 20, and 30 cm from the segmental liming application line. Therefore, the correction of soil acidity through segmental liming was limited to the chisel line, accounting for the correction of soil acidity in only 14.2% of the cultivation area. strips ripping notillage no tillage 7 4 10 1 0 1. ha1 ha ha- ENV 170%. 170 170% . 170%) 05, 05 5, 5 (0-5 510, 510 5-10 1015, 1015 15, 15 10-15 1520, 1520 20 15-20 2025, 2025 25, 25 20-25 2530, 2530 30, 25-30 3035, 3035 35, 35 30-35 3540 35-4 , cm) 3 P (P K (K Conversely 1025 10-2 53 5. 59 9 5.9 Additionally 6 dm3 dm dm- 2 dm3. 3. 73 73% 2% Therefore 142 14 14.2 area 17 (0- 51 5-1 101 10-1 152 15-2 202 20-2 253 25-3 303 30-3 354 35- 102 10- 14. (0 5- 15- 20- 25- 30- (

ABSTRACT The accessibility of soil P reserves by plants on highly weathered Brazilian soils remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the contribution of soil P fractions to P uptake by soybean plants in two no-till Oxisols (Latossolos), with low and high initial content of available P. The recommended P rates (viz., 153 and 50 kg ha-1 yr-1 in the low-P and high-P soil, respectively) were applied in the form of triple superphosphate (TSP) or Bayovar rock phosphate (BRP) plus a treatment without fertilizer. Yields of winter cereals and soybean on the studied soils were examined over a period of three years. Soil samples were collected in the 0.00-0.10 m soil layer and subjected to sequential chemical fractionation of P. In the last crop season, the P content of soybean shoot biomass was determined. Soil P fractions and P content of soybean shoots were subjected to path analysis. The addition BRP in the low-P soil resulted in a winter cereal yield of 2.0 Mg ha-1 lower than TSP. In the scenario of high P, it is possible to maintain high crop yields even without phosphate fertilization for three consecutive years. Path analyses demonstrated the addition of P using either TSP or BRP boosted the contribution of the more labile inorganic P fractions. The addition of BRP should be avoided in P-deficient soils. The addition TSP or BRP reduces the pressure of plants to use soil P reserves. Therefore, the soil P legacy should be considered in fertilization recommendations for high-P soils in NT. unclear study notill no till Latossolos, Latossolos , (Latossolos) viz., viz (viz. 15 5 ha1 ha 1 ha- yr1 yr yr- lowP highP respectively (TSP (BRP fertilizer years 0.000.10 000010 0.00 0.10 0 00 10 0.00-0.1 season determined analysis 20 2 2. Pdeficient deficient Therefore NT (Latossolos viz. (viz 000 0.000.1 00001 0.0 010 0.1 0.00-0. 0.000. 0000 0. 01 0.00-0 0.000 0.00-

ABSTRACT Identifying sediment sources is fundamental for protecting and improving soil and water quality. Conventional fingerprinting studies have often collected sediments at the overall watershed outlet only, resulting in an important spatial scale dependency. This study aimed to identify and to assess the delivery patterns of sediment sources within three priority sub-catchments (Sapocaji, Piedade and Minas) located in the downstream portion of the Ipojuca River watershed in Brazil. This research would build on understanding sediment sources in the studied watershed by elucidating source type contributions on a sub-catchment basis. Both bed and suspended sediment samples were collected in these sub-catchments, and two types of sources were sampled: surface and subsurface sources. A total of 21 geochemical tracers were measured. The tracers were evaluated for their conservation and discriminatory ability (Kruskal-Wallis test and linear discriminant analysis), and the best set of tracers was selected for source apportionment modeling using MixSIAR. Surface (i.e., sugarcane croplands) sources contributed the highest to suspended sediments in the Piedade and Minas sub-catchments. There was a difference in the quality of riverbank management, which helped explain contrasts in the importance of this source. Overall, sub-catchment-specific sediment control management measures, such as the revegetation of riparian forests, need to be implemented, mainly in the Sapocaji sub-catchment. These results underscore the importance of connectivity for surface source contributions. only dependency subcatchments sub catchments Sapocaji, (Sapocaji Brazil subcatchment catchment basis subcatchments, catchments, sampled 2 measured KruskalWallis Kruskal Wallis analysis, analysis , analysis) MixSIAR i.e., ie i e (i.e. croplands subcatchments. catchments. Overall subcatchmentspecific specific measures forests implemented subcatchment. catchment. i.e. (i.e i.e

ABSTRACT Agriculture intensification in Southern Brazil’s subtropical regions combined with the frequent occurrence of erosive rainfall has rendered the area a global water erosion hotspot. In this scenario, understanding and regulating erosion processes at the river catchment scale is critical for mitigating soil and water resource degradation. Traditional methods for tracing sediment sources are expensive and time-consuming and justify the development of alternative approaches. Therefore, in this study, we employed diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analyses in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), near-infrared (NIR), and mid-infrared (MIR) ranges, combined with multivariate models and spectral pre-processing techniques to estimate sediment source contributions in a homogeneous subtropical catchment (Conceição River, 804 km²). Soil samples (n = 181) were collected to characterize the four potential sediment sources, including: cropland (n = 78), stream bank (n = 36), unpaved road (n = 40) and pasture (n = 27). Moreover, 44 sediment samples were collected, including suspended sediment (n = 8), fine sediment deposited on the riverbed (n = 15), and suspended sediment samples collected in the water column during storm events (n = 21). Vector machine (SVM) model outperformed the others, with better accuracy and reliability. While UV-VIS spectra proved less effective due to soil homogeneity across the catchment, NIR and MIR spectra provided valuable information for discriminating sediment sources. Furthermore, reducing the number of potential sources (from four to three or two) improved model predictions, especially when distinguishing between surface sources (cropland and pasture) and subsurface sources (unpaved roads and stream banks). The study’s findings shed light on the power of efficient and cost-effective alternative methods for assessing sediment sources, which are vital for promoting effective erosion control and sustainable land management in similar regions. Brazils Brazil s hotspot scenario degradation timeconsuming time consuming approaches Therefore study ultravioletvisible ultraviolet visible UVVIS, UVVIS UV VIS , (UV-VIS) nearinfrared near infrared NIR, (NIR) midinfrared mid (MIR ranges preprocessing pre processing Conceição River 80 km². km² km . km²) n 181 78, 78 78) 36, 36 36) 40 27. 27 27) Moreover 4 8, 8 8) 15, 15 15) 21. 21 21) SVM (SVM others reliability Furthermore from two predictions banks. banks banks) studys costeffective cost (UV-VIS (NIR 18 7 3 2 1

ABSTRACT Potassium (K) vertical mobility in soils has often been overestimated and used as a rationale for recommending the broadcast application of this nutrient in fertility management programs, especially in soils with low cation exchange capacity (CEC). This study aimed to evaluate the vertical distribution of K in two land uses: areas with natural vegetation and crop fields managed under no-tillage (NT) fertilized with K. For this purpose, 49 soil profiles from the Brazilian subtropical state of Rio Grande do Sul were sampled, comprising 45 profiles from areas under NT management and four profiles from sites with natural vegetation. Soil samples were collected in 19 very thin layers: 1 cm layer in the first 10 cm, 2.5 cm layer from 10 to 25 cm, and 5 cm layer from 25 to 40 cm. Sampling sites were then grouped according to their CEC, categorized as < 7.5, 7.6-15.0, and 15.1-30.0 cmolc dm-3. Both crop fields and natural fields exhibit a similar vertical gradient model, characterized by a strong accumulation of K in the soil within the uppermost centimeters. This gradient is notably enhanced by the addition of K fertilizers, leading to a substantial portion of K becoming inaccessible to the root system. The optimal level of available K for the topsoil soils was found within an average range of 4 to 12.5 cm of soil depth. Consequently, K fertilization resulted in two main outcomes: (i) an excess of K in the upper soil layers, which increases the potential for K loss through surface erosion and runoff, and (ii) a limited migration of K towards the deeper soil layers until reaching the root growth zone. There is an urgent need to: (a) reaffirm the official recommendations of public agencies that the replacement of K exported by crops should be carried out in the furrow, along the sowing line, and as deep as possible; and (b) reconsider the diagnostic soil layer for assessing the status of K availability in soils under NT management. (K programs CEC. CEC . (CEC) uses notillage no tillage (NT purpose sampled 2 2. 75 7 7.5 7.615.0, 76150 7.6 15.0, 6 15 0 7.6-15.0 15.130.0 151300 15.1 30.0 30 15.1-30. dm3. dm3 dm 3. 3 dm-3 model centimeters fertilizers system 125 12 12. depth Consequently outcomes i (i runoff ii (ii zone (a furrow line possible b (b (CEC 7. 615 7.615.0 7615 76 150 15.0 7.6-15. 130 15.130. 15130 151 15. 300 30. 15.1-30 dm- 61 7.615. 761 7.6-15 13 15.130 1513 15.1-3 7.615 7.6-1 15.13 15.1- 7.61 7.6-

ABSTRACT Studies on lability of soil phosphorus (P) under integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are still scarce, especially for deep soil layers (more than 0.20 m depth) and different managements in the crop and livestock phase. Distinct management in these phases may lead to a different distribution of soil P pools according to its lability (labile, moderately labile, less labile and residual) and, consequently, the P availability for plant nutrition. This study aimed to determine the soil P pools, by P fractionation and its distribution in lability classes. In a long-term ICLS experiment of grain and sheep production established in 2003, in Southern Brazil, we sampled in 2017 the 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.26, 0.26-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m layers of a Red Dystrophic Acrisol ( Argissolo Vermelho distrófico ) under two cropping systems in the summer (soybean/corn rotation and soybean/soybean succession), two grazing intensities (moderate and low) and two methods (continuous and rotational) in winter. Fractionation of P consisted of sequential extractions with anionic exchange resin, NaHCO 3 0.5 mol L -1 , NaOH 0.1 mol L -1 , HCl 1 mol L -1 , and NaOH 0.5 mol L -1 . The fractions were grouped in four different pools: labile, moderated labile, less labile and residual P. The soybean/soybean succession increased the labile pool of soil P in the 0.00-0.10 m layer compared to the soybean/corn rotation, regardless of the management of the livestock phase. Meanwhile, the management of the livestock phase also influenced soil P lability, regardless of the management of the crop phase. Low grazing intensity increased the levels of labile soil P in the 0.00-0.05 m layer, in comparison with the moderate grazing intensity and regardless of the grazing method. Grazing methods did not impact the soil P lability or content. The greater soil P availability in the soybean/soybean succession can be attributed to the higher quality (low carbon/nitrogen ratio) of the residue, while in the low grazing intensity to the higher forage dry matter production. Such management benefits nutrient cycling and consequently the P availability to the plants, being important to decrease production costs with the reduction and/or greater use efficiency of phosphate fertilizers.

ABSTRACT Bases are chemical species that donate electrons, accept protons, or release hydroxyls (OH–) in aqueous solution. In Soil Science, “base saturation”, “exchangeable bases” or “basic cations” has been widely used to distinguish Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+ from H+ and Al3+ cations. This terminology is confusing since none of these cations are truly a base in chemistry sense. However, in the absence of the proposition of a correct term, the term “base saturation” remains in use nowadays, causing confusion among students, professionals, and even among professors and researchers in Soil Science, as it leads to the erroneous interpretation that the soil acidity can be corrected by adding these cations to the soil. Here, we present the historical background of this nomenclature and a theoretical foundation that justifies the abolition of the use of these terms in Soil Science. We consider that the most correct is to call it “Ca-Mg-K-Na saturation”, which, despite being long, would refer directly and without any misinterpretation of the terminology. In Soil Fertility, the “base saturation” is often calculated only as a function of the sum of Ca, Mg, and K, since the Na content is negligible in most tropical and subtropical soils. Thus, one could use the term “Ca-Mg-K saturation”. Likewise, it is also suggested to abolish the use of the term “sum of bases” and use the term “sum of Ca-Mg-K” or “sum of Ca-Mg-K-Na” instead when necessary.

ABSTRACT In an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), system fertilization exploits the nutrient cycling imposed by animal grazing and increases the system efficiency. An increasingly popular approach to fertilization in southern Brazil is anticipating P and K requirements for soybeans into the pasture phase. This can increase the use efficiency of these nutrients in ICLS based on meat production in winter and soybean in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertilization strategy, grazing and soil acidity correction on herbage and animal production, soybean yield, P and K contents in soil and plant tissue, and P and K use and economic efficiency. In 2017, a field experiment was established on an Acrisol ( Argissolo Vermelho distrófico ) double-cropped with soybean and Italian ryegrass under no-tillage. Herbage and animal production, soybean yield, available P and K contents, and P and K plant tissue status were determined. Available P and K in the soil were unaffected by grazing and fertilization strategy. Conversely, system fertilization and liming increased the P and K contents of aboveground Italian ryegrass biomass. Additionally, the available K budget in the soil was 2.7 times smaller in the integrated system with system fertilization than in the specialized system with conventional fertilization, possibly due to K fixation in non-exchangeable forms. By contrast, the available P budget in the soil was not affected by treatments and was positive with all systems. The use of ICLS increased economic return, and P and K use efficiency for protein production. System fertilization did not affect soybean yield, but it increased the total herbage production of Italian ryegrass. Despite this, sheep live weight did not increase. Using ICLS in combination with system fertilization provides an effective nutrient management strategy with a higher potential for sustainable food production when compared with conventional fertilization.

ABSTRACT Although numerous studies have been conducted with common bean regarding nitrogen (N) dose, time of application, and source in no-till (NT) soils in Brazil, the heterogeneity of the results makes it difficult to establish technical recommendations based on individualized studies. This meta-analysis aimed to rank the main factors influencing common bean response to N management in NT areas. The database consisted of 99 scientific papers that encompassed 160 trials and 2394 observations. In general, the probability of obtaining a positive response to N application in common bean productivity was 77 %, with an average 18 % increment (358 kg ha-1). The main factors that affect the response of common bean grain yield to N fertilization and the choice of the applied N dose are soil organic matter (OM) content and the preceding crop. In soils with OM content >20 g kg-1, the N dose that determines the highest economic return is 50 kg ha-1. For soils with OM content <20 g kg-1, the N dose to be applied is 70 and 100 kg ha-1 for crops preceded by legumes and grasses, respectively. The timing of the N application did not result in a significant difference in common bean yield in 62 % of the trials. However, the results showed that the average yield increase in the common bean went from 15 % (293 kg ha-1) with a single application to 32 % (622 kg ha-1) with split N applications. All N sources tested showed similar gains to those obtained with N application through urea. Excluding situations with high doses of N application (>100 kg ha-1), inoculating common bean seeds increased grain yields by 6 % on average (118 kg ha-1). The combined analysis of the available results demonstrated that the crop recommendations used in Brazilian soils under NT could be refined considering the soil OM concentration and preceding crop. Additionally, seed inoculation and N dose splitting in the form of common urea should be recommended.

ABSTRACT High acidity and low soil P availability in the soils from the Pampa natural grasslands generally limit the forage growth and economic return. Thus, to increase the economic return and avoid environmental degradation and biodiversity loss due to replacement by intensive cropping systems, it is essential to improve the soil P availability. This study aimed to diagnose the nutritional status of the pluri-specific natural grasslands amended with different history of P sources. Additionally, we also try to indicate the most appropriate range of soil P availability for maximizing forage growth. The experiment started in 1997 in an area of Pampa natural grasslands in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments evaluated the application of Gafsa hyperphosphate (HP) and triple superphosphate (SP) for four years (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2010). Soil and aboveground biomass sampling were performed five times from October 2010 to March 2011 to access aboveground biomass production, botanical composition, soil available P, and N and P nutrition index. Greater P availability in the soil amended with SP produced more forage and resulted in a higher P accumulation than in the soil amended with HP. The ideal range of soil P availability in the soils of natural grasslands ranged from 14 to 20 mg kg˗1, varying for different plant species. The species Paspalum plicatulum and Aristida laevis produce less aboveground biomass and accumulate less P in their tissue than Dichantelium sabulorum and Eustachys uliginosa, and P. notatum. Therefore, areas of natural grasslands dominated by D. sabulorum, E. uliginosa and P. notatum demand higher soil P availability to maintain high forage production. Soil P fertilization of pluri-specific natural grasslands in the Brazilian Pampa biome must consider the dominant forage species in the area and the soil P availability.

ABSTRACT: In Brazil several digital soil class mapping studies were carried out from 2006 onwards to maximize the use of existing maps and information and to provide estimates for wider areas. However, there is no consensus on which methods have produced superior results in the predictive value of soil maps. This study conducts a systematic review of digital soil class mapping in Brazil and aims to analyze the factors which can improve the accuracy of digital soil class maps. Data from 334 digital soil class mapping studies were grouped and analyzed by Student's t-test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. When conventional maps were used for validation, the studies showed average values of 63 % and when field samples were used, 56 % for Overall Accuracy. Studies compatible with the Planimetric Cartographic Accuracy Standard for Digital Cartographic Products (PEC-PCD) averaged between 4 % and 15 % higher accuracy than those of the incompatible group. There seems to be no evidence that increasing the number of variables and samples results in more accurate soil map prediction, but studies using variables related to four soil-forming factors enhanced accuracy. From a density of 0.08 MU km–2 and upwards, it became more difficult for studies to obtain greater accuracy. Artificial neural network classifiers and Decision Tree models seem to be producing more accurate digital soil class maps.

ABSTRACT A good soil fertility management for soybean production must consider the amount of nutrients that are exported by seeds. In recent decades, soybean yield has increased due to better crop management and genetic improvements, which may affect the amount of nutrients removed. Therefore, this study aimed (i) to analyze the relationship between the concentration of macronutrients in soybean seeds in Brazil with soybean yield and genotypes, and (ii) to update nutrient concentration values in soybean seeds for fertilizer recommendation purposes, comparing them with the values described in the main official fertilization recommendation systems used in Brazil. For this purpose, we used 3,017 observations obtained from 67 studies evaluating at least one macronutrient concentration [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S)] in soybean seeds in the last 45 years in Brazil (from 1974 to 2019). Results indicate that the concentration of macronutrients in soybean seed is affected by both soybean yield and genetic material. Modern genotypes of the Intacta Roundup Ready-2 group remove 15, 21, 18, 17, and 23 % more K, P, Ca, Mg, and S and 4 % less N compared to non-Roundup Ready genotypes. The increase in soybean yield was followed by an increase in the concentration of N and a decrease in the concentration of P and K in soybean seed. Data obtained from studies published between 2015 and 2019 indicates that soybean removes, on average, 57.2, 17.6, 5.5, 2.9, 2.6, and 2.5 kg Mg-1 of N, K, P, S, Ca, and Mg, respectively. These macronutrient concentrations in soybean seeds are in disparity with most reference values described in the official fertilization recommendation systems in Brazil, highlighting an urgent need to review the standard values for replacement fertilization of soybeans. Moreover, future studies should focus on the influence of genetics on soybean seeds composition to ensure high soybean productivity with rational use of fertilizers.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated P pools after nine years of successive application of either pig slurry (PS) or deep pig litter (DL) in a no-till Ultisol from southern Brazil. The experiment was established in Dec 2002 with the treatments control, application of 90 and 180 kg N ha−1 N as PS and as DL. In Mar 2010, soil samples were taken at six layers up to 30 cm deep. Total organic and inorganic P were assessed by the ignition method, and P compounds classes were evaluated by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Total soil P increased proportionally with the P amount applied via DL and PS. Only DL application increased soil organic P, mainly at the highest dose and in the uppermost soil layers. The application of high doses of manure to these soils under no-till to meet crop N demands significantly increased P accumulation at the soil surface, especially with DL. This, in turn, increases the risk of contamination of water bodies due to P transfer from soil to rivers via runoff. The ignition method overestimates organic P compared to P-NMR. The highest proportion of organic P estimated by the ignition and P-NMR methods, at surface layers in the control suggests that inorganic P is added to the plots treated, increasing inorganic P and decreasing organic P. Moreover, with no P additions to the control, inorganic soil P is removed by plants, causing an apparent increase in the organic P proportion.

RESUMO O uso de genótipos híbridos é uma boa alternativa para aumentar a produtividade do arroz irrigado. Há, no entanto, a necessidade de validação do manejo da adubação em diferentes condições edafoclimáticas e de sua maior rentabilidade. Objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade de grãos e a rentabilidade de híbridos de arroz relacionadas a doses de N e à adubação com P e K. Avaliaram-se cinco cultivares híbridas e a cultivar convencional IRGA 424 CL combinadas com quatro doses de N (0; 100; 150; e 200 kg ha-1), todas com doses fixas de 90 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e 150 kg ha-1 de K2O, além de um tratamento adicional, sem o uso de fertilizantes. A aplicação de N incrementa, em média, em 10 e 35 % a produtividade do arroz irrigado em anos com condições climáticas favoráveis e desfavoráveis, respectivamente. Independentemente do ano e genótipo, as maiores produtividades são obtidas com doses de N entre 106 e 200 kg ha-1, sendo a dose de maior rentabilidade a de 150 kg ha-1 (22 % superior à ausência de aplicação de N). Os híbridos produzem 20 % a mais de grãos, em média, que a cultivar IRGA 424 CL, incrementando a rentabilidade em 18 %. Em solo com disponibilidade de P e K adequada, não há incrementos em produtividade pela aplicação desses nutrientes. Porém, em solo deficiente, a fertilização com P e K incrementa em 21 % a produtividade de grãos.

ABSTRACT The use of hybrid genotypes is a good alternative for increasing the flooded rice yield. However, there is a need for validation of the fertilizer management under different edaphoclimatic conditions and its greater profitability. This study aimed to evaluate the grain yield and profitability of rice hybrids in relation to N doses and fertilization with P and K. Five hybrid cultivars and the conventional IRGA 424 CL cultivar combined with four N doses (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) were evaluated, all with fixed doses of 90 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and 150 kg ha-1 of K2O, besides an additional treatment without the addition of fertilizers. The N application increases, on average, by 10 and 35 % the flooded rice yield in years with favorable and unfavorable climatic conditions, respectively. Regardless of the year and genotype, the highest yields are obtained with doses of N between 106 and 200 kg ha-1, with the most profitable dose being the 150 kg ha-1 one (22 % higher than for the absence of N). The hybrids produce an average of 20 % more grains than the IRGA 424 CL cultivar, increasing the profitability by 18 %. In soil with adequate P and K availability, there is no increase in yield due to the application of these nutrients. However, in deficient soil, the fertilization with P and K increases the grain yield by 21 %.

ABSTRACT Soil management and crop rotation are key factors in controlling the accumulation of C and N in the soil profile, but their long-term effect remains poorly understood for deep soil layers, especially in subtropical conditions. Using a long-term experiment (26-years), this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil management systems associated with different winter cover crops on C and N accumulation in a very clayey (72 % clay) soil up to 1 m deep. Two tillage systems [conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT)] were cultivated with eight winter cover crops (black oat, rye, common vetch, hairy vetch, oilseed radish, wheat, blue lupine, and fallow) in a subtropical Oxisol from Southern Brazil. Soil samples were taken in eight soil layers up to 1.00 m soil depth after 26 years of experiment and, also from an adjacent native forest. After forest clearing, the C stock in the 0.00-0.20 m soil layer was reduced by 45 % in only 10 years (from 1976 to 1986) of soil tillage. Twenty-six years after the beginning of the experiment, C and N stock in 0.00-0.20 m soil layer were 13 and 20 % higher in NT compared to CT, with the greatest differences in C and N content observed in the 0.00-0.05 m layer. When associated with winter cover crops, NT accumulated 0.6 and 0.06 Mg ha-1 yr-1 more C and N than CT with winter fallow in the 0.00-0.20 m soil layer. No-tillage and CT recovered 95 and 83 %, respectively, of the C stock found in the 0.00-0.20 m layer from the native forest. However, in the 0.00-1.00 m soil layer, the positive effect of NT on soil C accumulation compared to CT was diluted, and no clear effect of NT was verified. Moreover, no difference in winter cover crops on soil C and N stocks were observed in all soil layers, possibly due to their similar residues input (3.3-4.9 Mg ha-1 yr-1). No-tillage associated with high biomass input through winter cover crops promoted a faster recovery of soil C and N stock than in CT and, therefore, is an efficient tool to improve soil C and N accumulation even in Oxisols with high clay content.