Physical-hydric Attributes of a Humic Inceptisol in Agroforestry on the Santa Catarina Plateau

ABSTRACT The present study has the objective to evaluate and compare the feasibility of agroforestry systems by physical and hydric soil attributes over time, conducted in the city of Curitibanos-SC. The treatments are as follows: SIF-mate herb (SE), SIF-fruit (SF), SIF-agricultural (SA) and Native Vegetation (NV) as a control area. Random trenches were dug in each treatment to collect soil samples with preserved and altered structure at 0.0-0.05m and 0.05-0.20m depths in the first half of 2014 and 2015, to determine physical and hydric soil attributes and the water balance. The depths were selected based on visual analysis of soil structure. Soil bulk density and microporosity provided a significant increase in its attributes over the course of time. The system remained within the available water capacity with proper water balance for the cultures, making it viable and sustainable.