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720 
Bioscience Journal  Original Article 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

THE STABILITY OF AGGREGATES AND ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT 
AFTER THE APPLICATION OF GYPSUM, SOIL SCARIFICATION AND A 

SUCCESSION OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS 
 

ESTABILIDADE DE AGREGADOS E TEOR DE CARBONO ORGÂNICO, APÓS 
APLICAÇÃO DE GESSO, ESCARIFICAÇÃO DO SOLO E SUCESSÃO DE 

CULTURAS 
 

Eduardo Santos Neves dos SANTOS1; Milton César Costa CAMPOS1;  
Fernando Gomes de SOUZA2; José Maurício CUNHA1; Elyenayra Nogueira PINHEIRO1;  

Alan Ferreira Leite de LIMA1; Wildson Benedito Mendes BRITO1;  
Paulo Guilherme Salvador WADT3 

1. Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Humaitá, AM, Brasil. mcesarsolos@gmail.com; 2. Universidade Federal de Roraima – 
UFRR, Boa Vista, RR, Brasil; 3. Embrapa Agroflorestal, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil. 

 
ABSTRACT: Studies related to the monitoring of soil quality by physical attributes are important for 

the evaluation and maintenance of the sustainability of agricultural systems, besides indicating the appropriate 
management of the environment, aiming at its conservation and productivity. The objective of this study was to 
evaluate the stability of aggregates and organic carbon after the application of gypsum, soil scarification and a 
succession of crops. The treatments consisted of an absence and addition of gypsum, absence and presence of 
soil scarification, and three systems of crops in succession. The experimental design was made of randomized 
blocks, in a 2x2x4 factorial scheme, with eight replications. The aggregates were evaluated as stabled in water 
and soil organic carbon content. The treatment where gypsum was applied, as well as the 
soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow (SMBF) succession system, presented better results in soil aggregation and 
higher levels of organic carbon. 

 
KEYWORDS: Soil management. Physical attributes. Soil degradation. 

 
INTRODUCTION 
 

Agricultural practices, when performed 
improperly, result in changes of both physical and 
chemical soil attributes, such as aggregation, which 
is one of the most important factors for the 
conservation and maintenance of the environmental 
functions of the soil (LOSS et al., 2009; HANKE; 
DICK, 2017), and organic matter, involved in the 
processes of cementation and stabilization of 
aggregates. Moreover, the relationships between soil 
aggregates and organic matter content are related to 
mineral fraction, soil fauna, microorganisms, 
presence of roots, inorganic agents and 
environmental variables as the main factors 
involved in the formation and stability of soil 
aggregates (SALTON et al., 2008). 

Aggregate stability is related to several soil 
physical properties, such as: water retention 
capacity, infiltration rate, erosion resistance 
(GARCIA; ROSOLEM, 2010; NASCENTE; LI; 
CRUSCIOL, 2015). The increase of the stability of 
aggregates provides the best structuring of the soil, 
supplying it with pore spaces and allowing a better 

development of a root system for plants, airflow and 
water in the soil (SALTON et al., 2014). 

Root exploration in the soil profile can 
accelerate the aggregation process of soil particles, 
by releasing exudates with the interweaving of small 
clods that, consequently, form larger structures. The 
cultivation of plants with abundant root 
systems combined with management practices that 
add organic matter in soils are 
essential for the formation and stability of 
aggregates larger than 2 mm, resulting in 
the restructuring of soil particles (RIBON et al., 
2014). 

The organic matter, in its turn, exerts great 
influence in the processes of formation and 
stabilization of aggregates. A greater amount of 
organic matter available to the soil provides a higher 
structural quality (VEZZANI; MIELNICZUK, 
2011; MATAIX-SOLERA et al., 2011). 
Conservation systems of soil management result in 
an expressive increase of soil aggregation. The 
rotation, or crop succession, with frequent residue 
inputs, associated with 
other management practices that aim to reduce 
soil disturbance, typically results in a greater 

Received: 14/05/18 
Accepted: 20/11/19 



721 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

aggregate stability, which is revealed by higher 
values of weighted average diameter (WAD) of the 
aggregates, which, in large part, is related to the 
effect of management systems on soil organic 
carbon (BRAIDA et al., 2011). 

However, it is still necessary to understand 
the influence of agricultural inputs and other 
management practices on aggregation and MOS 
levels. Among the most commonly used inputs, 
agricultural gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) has been used 
mainly in no-tillage systems to minimize acidity 
problems. This happens because gypsum is an 
excellent source of Ca (20%) and S (15−18%). The 
increase of these nutrients may favor deep root 
growth and promote the carryover of other bases, 
such as Mg2+ and K+ to deeper soil layers (FOIS et 
al., 2018). In addition, when applied to the soil, 
gypsum reacts with Al3+ and forms complex ionic 
pairs, making it less toxic (AlSO4+) to the plants and 
providing exchangeable bases (Ca2+ and S) in the 
subsoil, due to its movement, that is about 150 times 
higher than limestone (ZAMBROSI; ALLEONI; 
CAIRES, 2007; MASCHIETTO, 2009; NEIS et al., 
2010). Thus, gypsum is considered a soil 
conditioner with little effect on pH, compensating 
for the surface effect of limestone, since it even acts 
underground, without the need for incorporation, 
increasing the volume of soil to be explored and the 
tolerance of plants to drought in the soil (ARF eet 
al., 2014; ZANDONÁ et al., 2015). 

Another practice that has been employed, 
and indicated for soils suspected of compaction, is 
soil scarification, which generates immediate 
benefits with the rupture of thickened layers, such as 
density reduction, increased surface roughness, 

hydraulic conductivity and water infiltration rate in 
the soil (MAZURANA et al., 2011). According to 
Tormena, Fidalski and Rossi Junior (2008), the 
adoption of a planned crop rotation system is 
essential for the maintenance of structural soil 
quality in no-tillage systems. Nevertheless, little is 
known about the benefits of using crops succession 
and input MOS in the soil aggregation, besides the 
influences caused by the use of gypsum and 
scarification in the soil. 

Studies on soil quality monitoring by 
physical attributes are important for assessing and 
maintaining the sustainability of agricultural 
systems, as well as indicating the appropriate 
management of the environment, aiming at its 
conservation and productivity (MOTA; FREIRE; 
ASSIS JÚNIOR, 2013). Therefore, the objective of 
this study was to evaluate the stability of aggregates 
and organic carbon content, after the application of 
gypsum, soil scarification and a succession of crops. 
 
MATERIAL AND METHODS 
  

The experimental area was located at the 
Embrapa Rondônia headquarter, in the city of Porto 
Velho, capital of the state of Rondônia (RO), (08º 
47’ 42’’S, 63º 50’ 45’’W), elevation of 
approximately 95 meters (Figure 1). The average 
annual rainfall is 2,200 mm, with a dry season from 
June to September; the average annual temperature 
is 24.9 °C and the average relative humidity is 
89%. The climate of the region is defined as humid 
tropical, according to the Köppen classification. The 
soil of the experimental area was classified as a 
dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (EMBRAPA, 2013). 

  

 
Figure 1. Location of the research site in the city of Porto Velho, RO. 
 

Before the implementation of the 
experiment, the area was cultivated with Brachiaria 

brizantha cv. Marandú for a period of eighteen 
years (1990 to 2008); after that, was kept in fallow 



722 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

during four years (2009 to 2013). The 
chemical characterization of the soil, before the 

installation of the experiment, is presented in 
Table 1. 

 
Table 1. Chemical analysis of the soil in the 0.00 – 0.20 m layer of the experimental area. 

pH em H2O 
Ca2++ Mg2+ K+ Al3+ H++Al3+ T SB OM P available 

cmolc dm-3 mg dm-3 

5.0 1.7 0.12 2.2 5.9 7.7 1.73 3.2 1.4 
pH: in water; SB: sum of bases; T: CTC at pH 7.0; OM: Organic matter 

  
The experiment began in the year 2013, for 

the 2014 crop, with a randomized block design, 
composed of eight blocks, in a 2x2x3 factorial 
scheme. The following treatments were used: with 
and without mechanical soil scarification; absence 
and presence of agricultural gypsum; and four crop 
succession systems (soybean/fallow, 
soybean/maize/fallow, soybean/maize and 
brachiaria/fallow). Each experimental unit had a 4.5 
m x 20 m dimension, and 27 m x 40 m for each 
block, totalizing 160 m x 54 m, excluding 
curbstones. 

In the implementation of the experiment, the 
only mechanical practice introduced was soil 
scarification, with 2,000 kg ha-1 of gypsum. Both 
treatments were conducted before soybean planting, 
in 2013, the first year of the experiment. The seeds 
available in the Cone Sul [Southern Cone] region of 
Rondônia were used for planting soybean, maize 
and brachiaria, according to the following planting 
density: 260 to 340 thousand plants ha-1 for 
soybean; 50 to 70 thousand plants ha-1 for maize and 
16 kg ha-1 of brachiaria. 

The dates of soybean sowing were in 
November 2013, December 2014, December 2015 
and November 2016; the maize and brachiaria 
sowing were always done thirty days after the 
soybean crop. Soybean and maize were cultivated 
with mechanized sowing and the brachiaria was 
cultivated by a manual sowing broadcast system. 

NPK fertilizers were carried out with the 
following formulations: 400 kg-1 of 0-30-15 
formulation in soybean sowing, plus 300 kg ha-1 of 
4-30-10 formulation in maize cultivation (with or 
without brachiaria) and 150 kg ha-1 of 25-0-25 
formulation in side-dressing in maize crop (with or 
without brachiaria), 30 days after maize 
germination. 

To determine the stability of aggregates, 
samples with preserved structure were collected in 
the 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20 m layers. The 
sample collection was made with a spade, without 
destructing the clods, which were packed in plastic 
bags and, later, air-dried. In the preparation of the 
samples, the clods were hand-cut, taking care not to 

destroy the aggregates; and then sieved in 9.5 mm 
and 4 mm sieves. The aggregates retained in the 
smallest sieve were selected for a wet laboratory 
analysis (EMBRAPA, 2011). 

To determine the distribution of aggregate 
classes, we used the wet sieving, with the machine 
recommended by Yoder (1936), which was 
calibrated to run for 15 min with 32 oscillations per 
minute. The samples were moistened and 
transferred to the Yoder apparatus, adapted with 2.0, 
1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.063 mm cut-off mesh sieves 
(KEMPER; CHEPIL, 1965). After the end of 
oscillations, the content retained in each 
of the sieves was kiln-dried at 105 °C, for 24 hours, 
and then weighed. The class less than 0.060 mm 
was calculated by difference, taking into account the 
initial weight minus the residual moisture and 
the weight of the other classes as a basis. 

The results are expressed as a percentage of 
the aggregates retained in each of the sieve classes 
and as the stability of the aggregates evaluated by 
the Weighted Average Diameter (WAD) obtained 
by the formula proposed by Castro Filho, Muzilli 
and Podanoschi (1998), and the Geometric Mean 
Diameter (GMD), according to Schaller and 
Stockinger (1953), cited by Alvarenga et al. (1986). 

The organic carbon was determined by 
oxidation of the organic matter via wet with 
potassium dichromate in a sulfuric medium, using as 
energy the heat released from the sulfuric acid 
and/or heating process. The excess of 
dichromate after oxidation is titrated with a standard 
solution of Ammonium iron (II) sulfate (Mohr salt) 
(EMBRAPA, 2011). 

The hypothesis of the normality of data was 
tested by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data were 
submitted to analysis of variance, when 
significant through the F test, the means were 
compared by the Scott-Knott test at a 5% level of 
probability. 

  
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
 

The higher concentration of organic 
carbon (OC) was observed in the 0.00 – 0.05 and 



723 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

0.05 – 0.10 m layers, in the treatments where the 
application of agricultural gypsum occurred (Table 
2). Although no statistical differences were 
observed in the 0.10 – 0.20 m 
layer, the gypsum treatment continued to present a 
higher OC content, probably due to the reaction 
with exchangeable acidity and base levels increase, 
which favors the proliferation of soil macrobiota. 
However, in this layer the most significant treatment 
was the presence of scarification, presenting the 
highest OC content (5.4 g Kg-1). These results may 
be related to the increase of Ca along the soil 
profile, which may have favored the development of 
the root system in depth, resulting in a greater 
efficiency of the plant to increase dry matter. The 
effect of gypsum as a soil conditioner for root 
growth may play an important role in the increase of 

organic matter through the deposition of organic 
residues in depth. It is known that around 27 to 37% 
of the soil carbon input originates from the roots 
(SANTOS et al., 2011). Higher OC levels in the 
soil, due to the application of gypsum, are a good 
indication that the use of this technology increases 
crop yield due to a more efficient use of water and 
nutrients (ROSSETTO et al., 2013). 

The treatment with scarification in the 0.00 
– 0.05 and 0.05 – 0.10 m layers was not 
significant. However, the 0.10 – 0.20 m 
layer presented a higher OC content in the soil 
scarification treatment (Table 2). Scarification 
results in the preparation with less revolving 
and, therefore, less incorporation of the straw, 
remaining, on the surface, a greater cover for soil 
protection (CARVALHO FILHO et al., 2007). 

 
Table 2. Mean values for in-balance soil carbon levels, due to the effect of agricultural gypsum, soil 
scarification and crop succession systems, in the 0.00 – 0.05, 0.05 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m layers. 

SMBF = soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow; SMF = soybean/maize/fallow; SF = soybean/fallow; ** significant at the 1% probability 
level (p <.01); * significant at the 5% probability level (.01 = <p <.05); ns not significant (p> = .05). Means followed by the same 
lowercase letter in the column do not differ from one another by the Scott-Knott test at the 5% probability level. 
 

Among crop succession systems, 
the soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow (SMBF) 
system showed the highest amount of OC in the 
0.00 – 0.05 and 0.05 – 0.10 m layers, the other 
systems did not differ among themselves (Table 2). 
Similar results were observed by Oliveira et al. 
(2010) and by Portela et al. (2010), who verified a 
significant improvement in the physical attributes of 
the soil due to the continuous supply of plant 
material to the soil, mainly through the roots of the 
crops. The increase of organic matter in the soil acts 
positively in the recovery process since it proves 
nutrients from the mineralization and in a better soil 
structure, in its physical quality, that will interfere in 
soil porosity and aeration (BONINI; ALVES; 
MONTANARI, 2015). The products derived from 
this organic matter are sources of nutrients and 
specific energy for soil microorganisms that play an 

important role in aggregation, since the products of 
microbial decomposition, such as polysaccharides 
and mucilage, are cementing agents of soil 
macroaggregates (INAGAKI et al., 2016; SILVA et 
al., 2016). 

Regarding the OC, regardless the evaluated 
treatments, it can be observed that it decreases when 
depth increases. This process occurs more strongly 
in soils under no-tillage, since the residues deposited 
on the surface are not incorporated into the soil 
(BRIEDIS et al., 2012). 

Evaluating the effect of gypsum, it may be 
noted that the in the 0.00 – 0.05 m layer, gypsum 
application provided a higher percentage of 
aggregates, in the class > 2 mm, and larger values of 
WAD and GMD, indicating that the structure of the 
soil may have been influenced by the agricultural 
gypsum in the topsoil surface layer (Table 3). 

TREATMENTS 
Organic carbon (g.kg-1) 
Layer (m) 
0.00 – 0.05 0.05 – 0.10 0.10 – 0.20 

Gypsum 
With 7.8 a 6.9 a 5.3 
Without 7.1 b 6.3 b 4.8 

F TEST  
 

* * ns 

Scarification 
With 7.6 6.7 5.4 a 
Without 7.3 6.5 4.7 b 

F TEST 
 

ns ns ** 

Succession 
SMBF 8.2 a 7.7 a 4.9 
SMF 7.6 b 6.8 b 5.1 
SF 7.2 b 6.3 b 4.2 

F TEST 
 

* * ns 



724 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

Table 3. Mean values of the class size of aggregates (GMD, WAD) due of the effect of agricultural gypsum, in 
the 0.00 – 0.05, 0.05 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m layers. 

Treatment > 2 1 – 2 1 – 0.5 0.5 – 0.25 0.25 – 0.125 0.125 – 0.063 < 0.063   GMD WAD 

 
 -------------------------------------    %      -------------------------------------   

 
  -----   mm    ----- 

 
0.00 – 0.05 m  

With 94.4 a 1.3 b 1.1 b 0.7 b 0.4 b 0.1 b 1.6 b 
 

2.9 a 3.3 a 
Without 91.2 b 2.2 a 1.6 a 1.1 a 0.7 a 0.3 a 2.6 a 

 
2.7 b 3.1 b 

F TEST  **  ** **  ** * * * 
 

** ** 

 
0.05 – 0.10 m 

With 94.2 2 1 0.7 0.5 0.1 1.3 
 

2.9 1.2 
Without 93.3 1.7 1.3 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.9 

 
2.8 3.2 

F TEST ns ns ns ns ns ns  ns 
 

ns ns 

 
0.10 – 0.20 m 

With 93.6 a 2.0 b 1.1 b 0.8 b 0.3 0.2 1.7 
 

1.8 3.2 
Without 91.3 b 3.1 a 1.9 a 1.1 a 0.3 0.1 1.8 

 
1.7 3.1 

F TEST ** ** ** * ns ns ns   ns * 
GMD = geometric mean diameter; WAD = weighted average diameter; ** significant at the 1% probability level (p <.01); * significant 
at the 5% probability level (.01 = <p <.05); ns not significant (p> = .05). Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the column do 
not differ from one another by the Scott-Knott test at the 5% probability level. 
 

Gypsum can act indirectly in the formation 
of aggregates processes, by favoring the 
development of the root system. The roots act in the 
formation and stabilization of soil aggregates 
processes by physical or biochemical processes. In 
aggregation, both physical and biochemical 
processes are involved: the first, due to the 
approximation of mineral particles, caused by the 
pressure exerted during the growth of these roots; 
and the latter, due to the release of organic 
substances in the rhizosphere because of their 
decomposition, activating microorganisms that 
exude organic compounds and/or emit hyphae 
(mycorrhizal fungi), that are temporary cementing 
agents of soil macroaggregates (COSTA JÚNIOR et 
al., 2012). 

Working with different doses of gypsum, 
Rosa Junior et al. (2006) concluded that gypsum can 
act as a conditioner of soil structures, favoring 
aggregation, and a consequent improvement in soil 
structure. Stable aggregates in water contribute to 
improved porosity and, consequently, higher 
infiltration and resistance to erosion (MATOS et al., 
2008). Unstable aggregates, when on the surface, 
tend to disappear and disperse under the impact of 
raindrops (ASSIS; BAHIA, 1998). 

In the 0.05 – 0.10 m layer, no significant 
differences were observed in the classes of 
aggregates with the application or no application of 
gypsum (Table 3). However, in the 0.10 – 0.20 m 
layer, the application of agricultural gypsum 
presented higher value of aggregates in the class 
larger than 2 mm. Inversed results were found in the 

2-1, 1-0.5 and 0.5- 0.25 mm classes. The highest 
WAD value was observed in the application of 
agricultural gypsum treatment (Table 3). In order to 
increase aggregate stability, it is necessary to reduce 
soil nutrient losses (SPIGEL; MENTLER, 2003), 
while increasing the amount of larger aggregates 
and total porosity (SHAVER et al., 2002). 

In the soil management with or without 
scarification, in the 0.00 - 0.05 m layer, it was 
possible to observe that in the soil scarification 
treatment, the class of aggregates smaller than 0.063 
mm presented a higher percentage. In the same 
layer, it was also observed that a greater 
concentration of GMD occurs in the treatment 
where scarification was not performed. In the other 
layers, no significant differences were observed 
(Table 4). These results corroborate the tendency 
presented by the distribution of the aggregate size in 
water, indicating that scarification of the soil 
managed under a no-tillage system may have 
influenced GMD values. The mechanical action of 
the scarify stems, despite not revolving the soil, 
promotes the rupture of its structure and intensifies 
the disintegrating action with the use of the ripper 
roller, which breaks the clods to reduce the 
roughness of the ground and facilitate the 
sowing process (CALONEGO; ROSOLEM, 2008). 

 
 
 
 
 
 



725 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

Table 4. Mean values of the class size of aggregates (GMD, WAD) due to the soil scarification effect in the 
0.00 – 0.05, 0.05 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m layers. 

Treatmen
t 

> 2 1 – 2 1 – 0.5 
0.5 – 
0.25 

0.25 – 
0.125 

0.125 – 
0.063 

< 0.063 GMD WAD 

  ------------------------------------------    %   -------------------------------------   
  ------    mm    ---
--- 

 0.00 – 0.05 m  
With 92.2 1.6 1.3 0.9 0.6 0.2 2.6 a 2.7 b 3.1 
Without 93.4 1.9 1.3 0.9 0.4 0.3 1.6 b 2.9 a 3.1 
F TEST ns ns ns ns ns ns * * ns 
 0.05 – 0.10 m 
With 93.2 2.0 1.2 0.7 0.3 0.2  2.0 2.8 3.1 
Without 94.2 1.8 1.1 0.7 0.5 0.2  1.5 2.9 3.1 
F TEST ns ns ns ns  ns ns  ns ns ns 
 0.10 – 0.20 m 
With 92.6 2.4 1.5 0.9 0.4 0.1 1.8 1.9 3.1 
Without 92.3 2.6 1.6 1.0 0.3 0.1 1.7 1.8 3.1 
F TEST ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns 
GMD = geometric mean diameter; WAD = weighted average diameter; ** significant at the 1% probability level (p <.01); * significant 
at the 5% probability level (.01 = <p <.05); ns not significant (p> = .05). Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the column do 
not differ from one another by the Scott-Knott test at the 5% probability level. 
 

It was observed that in the soil surface, the 
SMBF succession system presented a significantly 
larger amount of soil constituting large aggregates, 
in the class larger than 2 mm, in relation to the other 
succession systems (Table 5). According to Basso 
and Reinert (1998), the values of larger aggregates 
tend to increase over time in systems with increased 
organic carbon, due to the use of cover crops under 

a no-tillage system (TORRES et al., 2015), resulting 
in a higher geometric and weighted aggregate 
diameter (PEREIRA et al., 2011). The higher the 
amount of plant material deposited in coverage, the 
higher will be the aggregation and lower the 
susceptibility to erosive processes caused by the 
impact of raindrops (FERREIRA; SCHWARZ; 
STRECK, 2000). 

 
Table 5. Mean values of the class size of aggregates (GMD, WAD) due to crop succession systems in the 0.00 

– 0.05, 0.05 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m layers. 
Treatment > 2 1 – 2 1 – 0.5 0.5 – 0.25 0.25 – 0.125 0.125 – 0.063 < 0.063 GMD WAD 

 
-----------------------------------------    %      ----------------------------------   ------    mm    ----- 

 
0.00 – 0.05 m  

SMBP 94.0 a 1.4 b 1.1 b 0.6 b 0.3 b 0.1 2.2 2.8 3.2 a 
SMP 92.6 b 2.0 a 1.3 b 1.1 a 0.4 b 0.3 2.1 2.8 3.1 b 
SP 91.8 b 2.0 a 1.7 a 1.2 a 0.8 a 0.3 2 2.7 3.1 b 
F TEST * * ** * ** ns ns ns * 

 
0.05 – 0.10 m 

SMBP 94.1 2 1.1 0.6 0.4 0.2 1.2 b 2.9 3.1 
SMP 92.9 1.9 1.2 0.7 0.4 0.3 2.3 a 2.8 3.1 
SP 94.3 1.8 1.1 0.7 0.5 0.1 1.3 b 2.8 3.2 
F TEST ns ns ns ns ns ns * ns ns 

 
0.10 – 0.20 m 

SMBF 92.4 2.8 1.6 0.9 0.4 0.1 1.4 1.4 3.1 
SMF 92.3 2.5 1.5 1.0  0.4 0.2 1.9 1.9 3.1 
SF 92.7 2.3 1.4 0.8 0.3 0.2 1.9 1.9 3.1 
F TEST ns ns  ns ns ns ns ns ns ns 
SMBF = soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow; SMF = soybean/maize/fallow; SF = soybean/fallow; GMD = geometric mean 
diameter; WAD = weighted average diameter; ** significant at the 1% probability level (p <.01); * significant at the 5% probability 
level (.01 = <p <.05); ns not significant (p> = .05). Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the column do not differ from one 
another by the Scott-Knott test at the 5% probability level. 
 



726 
The stability…  SANTOS, E. S. N. et al. 

Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 36, n. 3, p. 720-730, May/June 2020 
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n3a2020-42333 

For the 2-1 and 0.5-0.25 mm classes, the 
reverse occurred. In that case, SMF and SF systems 
demonstrated the highest values, indicating that the 
soil mass of large aggregates, larger than 2 mm, 
came from smaller classes (Table 5). These results 
are probably due to a greater distribution of roots in 
the superficial layer, contributing to a better soil 
structure, especially in the SMBF crops system with 
more waste input, where the root stocks of crops 
produce stable aggregates by supplying organic 
residues to decomposition, promoting high 
microbial proliferation in the rhizosphere (OADES, 
1984). In addition, results indicate that the 
succession of crops involving maize, soybean and 
brachiaria made the formation and stabilization of 
larger diameter aggregates possible. 

According to Santos et al. (2012), the 
contribution of organic material to the soil surface, 
through a no-tillage system, associated with the 
development of the root system of different cover 

crops, can contribute to the stability increase of 
larger diameter aggregates, improving the structural 
quality of the soil in the evaluated areas. Thus, it is 
assumed that this model of succession may have 
facilitated the activity of microorganisms, as well as 
a higher content of organic matter, factors that favor 
the larger diameter of the stable aggregates in water. 
 
CONCLUSIONS 
 

The treatment in which agricultural gypsum 
was applied presented better results in soil 
aggregation and higher levels of organic C. 

Soil scarification did not influence organic 
C contents and did not alter the stability of soil 
aggregates. 

The system of succession of SMBF crops 
influenced the stability of aggregates in a positive 
way only in the soil surface. The same system 
presented a higher organic C content. 

 
 

RESUMO: Estudos relativos ao monitoramento da qualidade do solo pelos atributos físicos são 
importantes para a avaliação e manutenção da sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas, além de sinalizar o 
manejo adequado do ambiente, visando à sua conservação e produtividade. Este trabalho teve por objetivo 
avaliar a estabilidade de agregados e teor de carbono orgânico, após a aplicação de gesso, escarificação do solo 
e sucessão de culturas. Os tratamentos consistiram na ausência e adição de gesso agrícola, ausência e presença 
de escarificação do solo, e três sistemas de sucessão de culturas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos 
casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x2x3 com oito repetições. Sendo avaliada a estabilidade dos agregados 
estáveis em água e teor de carbono orgânico do solo. O tratamento onde foi aplicado gesso agrícola e o sistema 
de sucessão SMBP apresentaram melhores resultados na agregação do solo e maiores teores de carbono 
orgânico. 

 
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Manejo do solo. Atributos físicos. Degradação do solo 

 
 
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