CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOGENIC, INTERMEDIATE AND PHYSICOGENIC SOIL AGGREGATES OF AREAS IN THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST

ABSTRACT Aggregate formation and stability are related to soil quality, contributing significantly to the carbon storage and nutrient maintenance capacities of the soil. Soil aggregates are formed by two different process: physicogenic, related to moistening and drying cycles and input of organic matter; and biogenic, related to the action of macrofauna organisms and roots. The objective this work was to classify aggregates according to their formation process, quantify and compare organic carbon contents in humic substances and assess the stability of aggregates formed by different processes, in areas with different coverage in the Mid Paraiba Valley, Pinheiral, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Aggregated soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-10 cm, in a Cambisol (Cambissolo Háplico Tb Distrófico) under four plant covers: secondary forest in advanced (SFAS), medium (SFMS) and initial (SFIS) successional stages and managed mixed pasture (MMP). Aggregates were classified and identified into three morphological classes (physicogenic, biogenic and intermediate). The variables evaluated were mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates, chemical fractions of organic matter, total organic carbon (TOC) and humic substances: humin (C-HUM) humic acid (C-FAH) and fulvic acid (C-FAF). Biogenic aggregates were found in smaller quantities and showed higher TOC, C-HUM and C-FAH, compared to intermediate and physicogenic aggregates. Thus, biogenic aggregates have potential to be used as soil quality indicators for structured environments, which are able to maintain its intrinsic formation processes. RESUMO A formação e estabilidade de agregados estão intimamente relacionadas à qualidade do solo, contribuindo de maneira significativa na capacidade de estocar carbono e manutenção de nutrientes no solo. Os agregados do solo são formados por duas vias distintas: a fisiogênica, relacionada a ciclos de umedecimento e/ou secagem e adição de matéria orgânica e a biogênica associada à ação dos organismos da macrofauna e de raízes. Neste estudo, objetivou-se separar os agregados conforme a via de formação e, posteriormente, quantificar e comparar os teores de carbono orgânico das substâncias húmicas e a estabilidade de agregados formados por diferentes vias e coberturas vegetais, na região do Médio Vale do Paraiba Fluminense, Pinheiral (RJ). Foram coletadas amostras indeformadas de solo na profundidade de 0-10 cm, em um Cambissolo Háplico Tb Di