Micromorphometric analysis of porosity changes in the surface crusts of three soils in the Piracicaba region, São Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of this study was to micromorphologically analyze modifications in soil porosity due to the occurrence of erosive rainfall events. Three types of soils, Typic Hapludox, Typic Hapludult and Rhodic Kandiudalf, were analyzed to determine their total porosity and the distribution and number of pores. The soils were tilled with a heavy disk and leveling harrow to ensure homogeneity of surface conditions at the beginning of the trial period and to simulate cropping conditions. The soils were kept uncovered during the trial period, and rainfall events with intensities greater than 25 mm h-1were recorded. The results showed that all of the soils presented crust formation, influenced by the soil texture. NVef showed significant changes in total porosity, pore numbers and pore morphology, while LVAd and PVAd did not display marked modifications in these attributes.