Physical properties of Ferralsols in response to sugarcane cultivation in the state of Goiás, Brazil

For sugarcane production, soil physical properties are essential indicators of crop growth, development and sustainable productivity. This study evaluated the physical properties of different textural classes of Latossolos Vermelhos distróficos (Ferralsols) under sugarcane cultivation, with and without vinasse application. The study was conducted under the soil, climate and management conditions of the counties of Quirinópolis and Goianésia, both in Goiás State, Brazil. In Quirinópolis, variety RB 867515 was planted and evaluated over 1, 3, and 7 consecutive sugarcane cycles. In Goianésia, cv. CTC4 was cultivated and assessed in 1, 2, and 4 cycles. At both locations, a plot with native vegetation was used as reference. To evaluate bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, macro- to micropore ratio, soil aeration capacity and relative bulk density, soil samples were collected from the 0.0-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30, and 0.40-0.50 m layers. It was found that soil physical properties were affected by the crop cycles, and in Quirinópolis, the plots in the first and third cycles were most affected by increased bulk density. In Goianésia, the physical properties were negatively affected in the first and second sugarcane cycles. Regardless of the soil texture and vinasse application, the soil physical properties were negatively affected by the implementation or renewal of sugarcane plantations up to the third consecutive sugarcane cycle, but improved from the fourth to the seventh cycle without sugarcane renewal.