Initial diagnosis of the evolution of a degraded soil

• Main Authors: Edel Jesús Amaro Aroche, Enrique Márquez Reina, Juan Manuel Llanes
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Centro de Información y Gestión Tecnológica 2018-12-01
• Series: Avances
• Subjects: Conservation Agriculture; basal respiration; apparent density; anthropic disturbance
• Online Access: http://www.ciget.pinar.cu/ojs/index.php/publicaciones/article/view/422/1414

Soil management changes bring about variations in their physical, chemical and biological characteristics. It is important to have soil quality indicators that allow early recognition if the changes introduced lead to the expected results, otherwise there is a risk of worsening the existing situation. This study reflected the diagnosis of the evolution of a degraded soil, whose management varied when implemented in it, principles of Conservation Agriculture. The diagnosis was made through the study of Basal Breath and Apparent Density of the soil. The values of both indicators were compared in the same type of soil. Another comparison was made in three areas of this soil in which the management was: implementation of the principles of conservation agriculture, traditional management in tobacco areas and soil without anthropic disturbance. The values of basal respiration and bulk density were significantly higher in the area in which conservation agriculture began compared to the traditional soil management area, showing the effectiveness of the actions implemented and the indicators evaluated. The values in the incipient area of conservation agriculture were significantly lower than those obtained in the area of soil without anthropic disturbance, which indicates that by sustaining the actions implemented over time, the soil can potentially continue to recover its fertility.