Physical quality of soil under different systems of tillage and application of pig slurry

The application in agriculture has been the main alternative to allocate the large volume of pig slurry (PS) generated in production environments. The aim of this study was to assess possible changes in physical properties of soil resulting from the management system and PS application. Five areas were sampled: native forest, pasture with mineral fertilizer and PS application, conventional tillage with mineral fertilizer and PS application, no-tillage with mineral fertilizer, no-tillage with mineral fertilizer and PS application. The evaluated physical properties of soil were: bulk density (Bd), total porosity (Pt), macroporosity (Ma), macro and microporosity ratio (Ma/Mi) and penetration resistance (PR). The adoption of different agricultural management systems altered the physical conditions of the soil, increasing the Bd and the PR and reducing the pore volume. The soil managed under pasture showed the highest values of PR. No changes were found in physical properties of soil by the application of PS in evaluated tillage systems.

soil compaction; agricultural wastes; penetration resistance