Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy · 2026
Assessing the physical quality of subsoiled cohesive horizons for Eucalyptus plantation
Paes, F. A. S. V., Gomes, M. D. P., Santos, F. S., Rocha, G. C.
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Assessing the physical quality of subsoiled cohesive horizon…
Abstract
In Brazil, Eucalyptus plantations occupy approximately 7.6 million hectares, of which 8% are located in the state of Bahia. In southern Bahia, these plantations are predominantly established on soils with cohesive horizons, characterized by high soil strength when dry and restricted pore connectivity when wet. These conditions reduce water, air, and nutrient fluxes, adversely affecting root development and plant growth. Subsoiling is a management practice commonly employed to mitigate these limitations; however, its effectiveness and persistence in modifying the physical attributes of naturally dense soils remain under debate. This study aimed to assess the effects of subsoiling on the physical quality of cohesive Argissolo Amarelo under Eucalyptus cultivation. Two sites were evaluated: one with Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico (PA1) and another with Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico (PA2), both subsoiled to 0.60 m prior to planting. Soil samples were collected 6.5 years after planting in PA1 and 1 year after planting in PA2. Sampling was performed in the planting rows (0.20–0.25, 0.35–0.40, and 0.60–0.65 m) and the inter-rows (0.20–0.25 m). The following physical attributes were determined: bulk density, total porosity, the least limiting water range (LLWR), the water retention curve and the pore size distribution. According to the results, subsoiling led to sustained improvements in soil physical quality. The subsoiled layers exhibited lower bulk density, increased macroporosity, and a higher LLWR. Additionally, pore distribution was altered, with a higher proportion of cryptopores in non-subsoiled layers. The surface layers showed greater water retention at high matric potentials in the planting rows and low potentials in the inter-rows. These findings underscore the potential of subsoiling to enhance the physical functionality of cohesive soils under Eucalyptus, with effects that persist for multiple years post-subsoiling.
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In Brazil, Eucalyptus plantations occupy approximately 7.6 million hectares, of which 8% are located in the state of Bahia. In southern Bahia, these plantations are predominantly established on soils with cohesive horizons, characterized by high soil strength when dry and restricted pore connectivity when wet. These conditions reduce water, air, and nutrient fluxes, adversely affecting root development and plant growth. Subsoiling is a management practice commonly employed to mitigate these limitations; however, its effectiveness and persistence in modifying the physical attributes of naturally dense soils remain under debate. This study aimed to assess the effects of subsoiling on the physical quality of cohesive Argissolo Amarelo under Eucalyptus cultivation. Two sites were evaluated: one with Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico (PA1) and another with Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico (PA2), both subsoiled to 0.60 m prior to planting. Soil samples were collected 6.5 years after planting in PA1 and 1 year after planting in PA2. Sampling was performed in the planting rows (0.20–0.25, 0.35–0.40, and 0.60–0.65 m) and the inter-rows (0.20–0.25 m). The following physical attributes were determined: bulk density, total porosity, the least limiting water range (LLWR), the water retention curve and the pore size distribution. According to the results, subsoiling led to sustained improvements in soil physical quality. The subsoiled layers exhibited lower bulk density, increased macroporosity, and a higher LLWR. Additionally, pore distribution was altered, with a higher proportion of cryptopores in non-subsoiled layers. The surface layers showed greater water retention at high matric potentials in the planting rows and low potentials in the inter-rows. These findings underscore the potential of subsoiling to enhance the physical functionality of cohesive soils under Eucalyptus, with effects that persist for multiple years post-subsoiling.
In Brazil, Eucalyptus plantations occupy approximately 7.6 million hectares, of which 8% are located in the state of Bahia. In southern Bahia, these plantations are predominantly established on soils with cohesive horizons, characterized by high soil strength when dry and restricted pore connectivity when wet. These conditions reduce water, air, and nutrient fluxes, adversely affecting root development and plant growth. Subsoiling is a management practice commonly employed to mitigate these limitations; however, its effectiveness and persistence in modifying the physical attributes of naturally dense soils remain under debate. This study aimed to assess the effects of subsoiling on the physical quality of cohesive Argissolo Amarelo under Eucalyptus cultivation. Two sites were evaluated: one with Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico (PA1) and another with Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico (PA2), both subsoiled to 0.60 m prior to planting. Soil samples were collected 6.5 years after planting in PA1 and 1 year after planting in PA2. Sampling was performed in the planting rows (0.20–0.25, 0.35–0.40, and 0.60–0.65 m) and the inter-rows (0.20–0.25 m). The following physical attributes were determined: bulk density, total porosity, the least limiting water range (LLWR), the water retention curve and the pore size distribution. According to the results, subsoiling led to sustained improvements in soil physical quality. The subsoiled layers exhibited lower bulk density, increased macroporosity, and a higher LLWR. Additionally, pore distribution was altered, with a higher proportion of cryptopores in non-subsoiled layers. The surface layers showed greater water retention at high matric potentials in the planting rows and low potentials in the inter-rows. These findings underscore the potential of subsoiling to enhance the physical functionality of cohesive soils under Eucalyptus, with effects that persist for multiple years post-subsoiling.
Findings
What changed what, as the paper reports it. Grouped by the measured property. The largest groups are open; open the others as you need them.
soil water retention
2
- increase
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificance not stated · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; near saturation only: the row curve is above the inter-row curve up to about 3–6 kPa suction and crosses it before 10 kPa (Fig.7; lowest measured suction 4 kPa); rows versus inter-rows; PA1 6.5 years, PA2 1 year
Source · p. 9 “In the 0.20–0.25 m layer, the water content retained at a high matric potential (\>-10 kPa) was higher in the planting rows than in the inter-rows”
- decrease
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificance not stated · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; low matric potential <−10kPa; rows versus inter-rows; PA1 6.5years,PA2 1year
Source · p. 9 “On the other hand, at a low matric potential (\<-10 kPa), more water was retained in the inter-rows than the planting rows, regardless of the evaluated soil.”
soil bulk density
↓ 11
- decrease
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificant · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; planting row versus inter-row; PA1 6.5years after February2006 subsoiling, PA2 1year after July2011
Source · p. 5 “In the 0.20–0.25 m layer of PA1, SD was 5.1% lower in the planting rows than in the inter-rows,”
Source · p. 5 “In the 0.20–0.25 m layer of PA 2, SD in the planting rows was 18.8% lower than in the inter-rows.”
Source · p. 5 “Vertical bars represent the confidence interval for the mean at a significance level of 5%.”
macropore volume
1
- increase
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificance not stated · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; rows versus inter-rows; PA1 6.5years,PA2 1year; pores>50µm
Source · p. 5 “subsoiling increased mainly the volume of macropores in both soils”
Source · p. 10 “The subsoiled layers presented an increase in the proportion of macropores and a reduction in the presence of cryptopores.”
cryptopore volume
1
- decrease
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificance not stated · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; rows versus inter-rows; PA1 6.5years,PA2 1year; cryptopores<0.2µm
Source · p. 10 “The subsoiled layers presented an increase in the proportion of macropores and a reduction in the presence of cryptopores.”
least limiting water range, sum of30samples
1
- increase
subsoiled planting rows vs. non-subsoiled inter-rowssignificance not stated · 20–25 cm · August2012 · PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico · PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico · 20–25cm; rows versus inter-rows; PA1 6.5years,PA2 1year; sum across30samples, not average LLWR
Numbers
- percent_change 15.8 · PA1
Source · p. 6 “In the 0.20–0.25 m layer of PA 1, the LLWR of the planting rows was 15.8% higher than the LLWR of the inter-rows”
Source · p. 10 “The LLWR of these layers was higher compared with the non-subsoiled layers.”
Set-up
Treatments
- subsoiling
- subsoiled planting rowsSubsoilingnon-subsoiled inter-rowsNo subsoiling
Measured
- soil bulk densityBulk density
- Unit
- kg dm-3
- macropore volumeMacroporosity
- Unit
- m3 m-3
- cryptopore volumeMicroporosity
- Unit
- m3 m-3
- least limiting water range, sum of30samplesLeast limiting water range
- Unit
- m3 m-3
- Method
- operational physical index from water retention and PR measurements, sum of30samples; not a mean
- soil water retentionWater retention curve
- Unit
- m3 m-3
- Method
- measured equilibrium water contents at imposed matric potentials; van Genuchten fit
Sites
PA1,Argissolo Amarelo distrófico típico
- Location
- Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália districts,southern Bahia,Brazil (individual district not specified)
- Climate
- Af24 °C mean annual temperature1,400–1,760 mm annual precipitation
- Soil
- Ultisols · USDA
- Land use
- Eucalyptus plantationBroad-leaved forest
- Management on the whole site
- EucalyptusTrees
| Depth | Texture | Clay | pH | Organic C | Bulk density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–25 cm | – | 21.7 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 20–25 cm | – | 19.35 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 35–40 cm | – | 22.48 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 60–65 cm | – | 29.2 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
PA2,Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso fragipânico
- Location
- Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália districts,southern Bahia,Brazil (individual district not specified)
- Climate
- Af24 °C mean annual temperature1,400–1,760 mm annual precipitation
- Soil
- Ultisols · USDA
- Land use
- Eucalyptus plantationBroad-leaved forest
- Management on the whole site
- EucalyptusTrees
| Depth | Texture | Clay | pH | Organic C | Bulk density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–25 cm | – | 33.76 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 20–25 cm | – | 30.7 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 35–40 cm | – | 40.59 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
| 60–65 cm | – | 47.04 % (dag kg-1) | – | – | – |
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