The soil quality reflects its ability in regulating the energy flux into an agroecosystem. Considering the impact of agricultural production in the irrigated areas, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical changes of a Typic Inceptisol under different uses and managements in the Irrigated Perimeter Jaguaribe / Apodi, CE, Brazil. Production systems were evaluated with the use of perennial irrigated banana crop (CPB) and annual crops irrigated corn (CAMI) and references in areas under natural vegetation. Soil samples were collected in 0-5, 5-15, 15-25 and 25-40 cm depth. The physical proprieties (soil bulk density - Ds, soil particles density - Dp, hydraulic conductivity - Ks, water stability of aggregates) and chemical proprieties (pH in water, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, COT, NT, CTC at pH 7.0, SB - sum of bases, V - base saturation) were evaluated. The area under CAMI showed more negative impacts on Ds, Ks, Dp when compared to other uses, the Ds and Ks were more sensitive in evaluating the impact of land use. The levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ were higher in cultivated areas. There was a reduction in the K+ levels in the area cultivated with bananas, probably, due to the depletion of this element with the fruit harvesting. In general, there was degradation of soil quality with cultivation, mainly by reducing structural stability, soil water percolation and the negative impact on soil organic matter.
irrigated agriculture; indicators of soil quality; management and soil conservation; semi-arid
