Quality of a Cambisol at different times of agricultural use in the region of Los Ríos, Tabasco, Mexico.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: Assessing the quality of a Cambisol soil with different times of agricultural use in the Los Ríos region (RR), Tabasco, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: Four agricultural uses were selected in a Cambisol (CM): rainfed crops (CT), annual crops (CA), pasture (Pa) and secondary vegetation (VS), established in three stages (1984, 2000 and 2019), with four repetitions. Soil samples were collected from all surveyed sites with an auger at a depth of 0-30 cm. The following physico-chemical properties were determined in the soil samples: texture (T), bulk density (DA), aggregate stability (EA), pH, electrical conductivity (CE), organic matter (MO), total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). An analysis of variance of the factorial experiment was performed (significance level p=0.05). The variables that presented a significant effect were subjected to Tukey's multiple comparison of means test (significance level p=0.05).

Results: Statistically significant differences (p≤0.05) were obtained in the MO, P and K contents and in DA. High OM content in CM with VS at any time of establishment, shows better soil quality compared to CM with CT and CA. The high DA recorded in CM with Pa since 1984, indicates a degradation of soil quality due to compaction, as a result of grazing by extensive livestock.

Limitations on study/implications: Sustainable management practices are required to recover degraded CM.

Findings/conclusions: OM and DA contents were the best indicators of CM soil quality, affected by agricultural use change and time of use in the RR, Tabasco.