The effects of continuous sugarcane cropping on the chemical properties of a clayey Yellow Latosol were studied in the region of the Low Coastal Tablelands of Alagoas State, Brazil. Four sites were selected at Caeté mill, São Miguel dos Campos, State of Alagoas, Brazil, involving a native forest (Tn) and sugarcane fields, cultivated for periods of two (T2), eighteen (T18) and twenty-five (T25) years. The soils were morphologically characterized and samples were taken from each horizon to determine pH (H2O and KCl), organic carbon, extractable phosphorus, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity, base saturation and aluminum saturation. The results indicated that the sugarcane cropping system improved soil fertility, leading to significant increases in pH, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and base saturation, and a decrease in aluminum saturation. A downward translocation of calcium and magnesium to deeper horizons was also observed.
Clayey Yellow Latosol; continuous-cropping; sugarcane; chemical properties