Indicators of soil quality in agroforestry systems

Abstract

The use of agroforestry systems ( AFS) to enable food production is currently considered a feasible and effective alternative to ensure sustainability , providing improvement in aspects related to conservation of natural resources . In this sense , the present study aimed to evaluate physical , microbiological attributes and content of organic carbon in two agroforestry systems management ( SAF SAF A and B ) , compared to other production systems ( Herbal Farming in silvicultural system and with soy) well as an area under natural vegetation ( forest ) as reference of the original soil condition . The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications . The evaluated parameters were : bulk density, macroporosity , microporosity , total porosity and texture . Still evaluated carbon from the soil microbial biomass , microbial activity , and microbial metabolic quotients . Among the systems evaluated, the SAF was presented the quality index closest to the area of native vegetation ( forest ) soil. The crop area was the most affected as the quality of the soil environment , indicating trends of environmental degradation with continued use of monoculture . On the other hand , diversification of species in agroforestry systems allowed more favorable conditions for improving soil quality , when compared to systems under monoculture .