SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN AN AGRARIAN REFORM SETTLEMENT

ABSTRACT The study of soil chemical and physical properties variability is important for suitable management practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil properties in the Malhada do Meio settlement to subsidize soil use planning. The settlement is located in Chapadinha, MA, Brazil, and has an area of 630.86 ha. The vegetation is seasonal submontane deciduous forest and steppe savanna. The geology is formed of sandstones and siltstones of theItapecuru Formation and by colluvial and alluvial deposits. The relief consists of hills with rounded and flat tops with an average altitude of 67 m, and frequently covered over by ferruginous duricrusts. A total of 183 georeferenced soil samples were collected at the depth of 0.00-0.20 m inPlintossolos, Neossolo andGleissolo. The following chemical variables were analyzed: pH(CaCl2), H+Al, Al, SB, V, CEC, P, K, OM, Ca, Mg, SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3; along with particle size variables: clay, silt, and sand. Descriptive statistical and geostatistical analyses were carried out. The coefficient of variation (CV) was high for most of the variables, with the exception of pH with a low CV, and of sand with a medium CV. The models fitted to the experimental semivariograms of these variables were the exponential and the spherical. The range values were from 999 m to 3,690 m. For the variables pH(CaCl2), SB, and clay, there are three specific areas for land use planning. The central part of the area (zone III), where thePlintossolos Pétricos and Neossolos Flúvicos occur, is the most suitable for crops due to higher macronutrient content, organic matter and pH. Zones I and II are indicated for environmental preservation. RESUMO O estudo da variabilidade de atributos químicos e físicos do solo é muito importante para realizar seu manejo de forma adequado. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a variabilidade espacial de atributos do solo no assentamento Malhada do Meio, para subsidiar o planejamento do uso do solo. O assentamento Malhada do Meio, localizado em Chapadinha, MA, possui uma área de 630,86 ha. A vegetação é de Floresta Estacional Decidual Submontana e Savana Estépica. A geologia é formada por arenitos e siltitos da Formação Itapecuru e por Depósitos Coluvionares e Aluvionares. O relevo é representado por colinas de topos arredondados e planos, com altitude média de 67 m, e frequentemente recobertos por cangas ferruginosas. Coletaram-se 183 amostras de solo georreferenciadas, na profundidade