Soils from the Vale do Rio Doce region in Ipatinga, Nova Era e Guanhães counties, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, under reforestation with Eucalyptus grandis, were studied. Eight forest sites with soils from different taxonomic classes were selected and detailed mineralogical characterization and evaluation for nutrient reserve potential were conducted in 1991. The soils studied were mineralogically classified as: Kaolinitic-non sesquioxidic (2 and 5); kaolinitic-sesquioxidic (1); gibbsitic-sesquioxidic (4, 6 and 7); hematitic (3) and gibbsitic (8). The main silicate clay minerals and Fe and Al oxides found were kaolinite, goethite, hematite, gibbsite and maghemite. The medium and long term mineral reserve of potassium is practically nonexistent, except for soils 2 and 5, which present small amounts of micas and feldspars. The ratios of exchangeable total Ca and Mg demonstrate a reduced capacity to replenish these nutrients. The addition of fertilizer nutrients according to the critical level to establish and maintain the eucalypt life-cycle is suggested, taking into account the non-sustainability of these forest sites, as far as short, medium and long term nutrient reserves are concerned.
mineralogy; reserve potential; Eucalyptus grandis; agricultural sustainability