Changes in soil management practices and current soil productivity challenges in the semiarid pampas

DIAZ ZORITA, MARTIN

São Paulo

Seminario; Seminário Internacional: Recuperação de Solos Degradados para a Agricultura e Saneamento Básico e Manejo de Água; 2015

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Fapesp - Fundação Bunge

The organization, extension and intensification of agricultural systems in the sandy pampas region of Argentina recently changed from rotated livestock and agricultural practices ("mixed systems") to mostly pure agricultural systems under continuous no-tillage and moderate use of fertilizers. In this region, strong relationships between crop yields and soil properties, mostly related to water and nutrient storage, have been described. The purpose of this presentation is to expose about several of the changes and trends in the productivity of the soils of the region under the current management practices and to discuss potential challenges for the development of sustainable production practices. Soil organic matter levels decrease under continuous tillage practices after systems with pastures. But, the application of zero tillage practices contributed to maintain the original soil productivity properties. The crop and soil management practices widely performed during this period have contributed to the soil conservation and to the water use efficiency. However, the application of crop sufficiency fertilization programs could conduct to the reduction in the levels of soil extractable nutrients and in crop productivity. The present agricultural land use in the region requires to intensify in the use of indexes for the diagnosis of soils productivity independently of the actual relationships with today`s grain yields.