Visual evaluation methodology applied to a hydromorfic soil under different agroecosystems

Abstract

Soil attributes and environmental quality have been modified by different agroecosystems.
Traditionally evaluated by laboratory methods, soil physical attributes have been used as indicators
of quality. Although accurate, these are high costs and hard-to-reach methodologies
in rural areas. The Visual Soil Assessment (VSA) is an important tool for a fast, reliable and
inexpensive supply of information needed for planning and monitoring the soil quality in cropping
systems. Aiming to propose alternative and sustainable types of soil management, the
objective was to evaluate the application of VSA as an indicator of a Haplic Eutrophic Planosol
quality under different agroecosystems. The intensive use of the soil reduced the its quality and
the systems with low mobilization presented better soil quality for plants development.