Soil microbiological, and chemical indicators in pastures

Abstract

The chemical, physical and biological indicators have been frequently used to indicate changes in soil quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the current state of soils under pastures in the western region of São Paulo using the evaluation and correlation of different microbiological and soil fertility variables. Thirteen quantitative variables were evaluated in 108 soil samples collected in pastures established more than two years. The microbial biomass carbon had the lowest coefficient of variation, while t the pH had the lowest coefficient of variation and soluble phosphorus showed the highest variability, within the chemical variables in the soils. In soils under pastures, evaluated in this study, acid soils and low phosphorus and potassium were predominant. The principal component analysis showed a great dependence between different variables. The clay had low variability, showing significant correlation (p < 0.01) with the CEC and total soil carbon. Microbial biomass was correlated positively with most of the variables of fertility and microbiology, which can then be considered a good biological indicator for these soils.