Impacto de diferentes usos da terra na fertilidade do solo na região de Campo Novo de Rondônia-RO

Abstract

The evaluation of soil fertility under different land uses is essential to understand the impacts of agricultural management on soil quality in rural settlement areas. This study aimed to assess the chemical attributes of soils under different land-use systems— maize cultivation, coffee cultivation, recently cultivated pasture, and degraded pasture—and to compare them with the native forest condition in the Altamira Settlement, located in the municipality of Campo Novo de Rondônia, State of Rondônia, Brazil. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–0.02 m. Each area was subdivided into five subareas, from which representative composite samples were obtained. Chemical analyses included the determination of pH (CaCl₂), organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), aluminum (Al), sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), potential acidity (H⁺ + Al³⁺), base saturation (V%), and aluminum saturation (m%). The results showed that soils under recently cultivated pasture and maize exhibited the best fertility indicators, with higher nutrient levels, increased SB, CEC, and V%, and absence of exchangeable aluminum. The native forest soil presented high potential acidity, low P levels, and reduced base saturation. Soils under degraded pasture and coffee cultivation exhibited chemical fertility constraints, indicating the need for corrective management practices. It is concluded that planned agricultural use can significantly improve soil fertility attributes, whereas systems lacking appropriate management tend to degrade. The findings support the development of sustainable soil management strategies in agricultural areas of Amazonian rural settlements.