Work

Interactions between soil functional components and micromorphology in different land uses in a mountainous region of northeastern Brazil

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Land use and soil management influence soil attributes, and understanding these dynamics is essential for the sustainability of agroecosystems. This study evaluated the relationships between soil attributes and soil microstructure using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Four land-use systems were analyzed: Musa spp., Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone, Anacardium occidentale L., and native forest. Physical, structural, water-related, chemical, biological, and microstructural attributes were evaluated, combining SEM analysis with multivariate statistical techniques to differentiate the environments. Total organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and glomalin were the main attributes distinguishing the Musa spp. plantation and the native forest, reflecting the continuous addition of plant and animal residues in the cultivated area and the contribution of litter in the forest. These inputs positively influenced the relationships among soil attributes. The permanent wilting point (PWP) and potential acidity (H + Al) were associated with the Anacardium occidentale L. area, indicating water and chemical limitations. Physical and water-related attributes were more sensitive in the native forest, mainly due to the higher clay content. Physical-structural attributes, such as soil bulk density and mean weight diameter of aggregates, distinguished the Musa spp. plantation from the Cenchrus purpureus area. SEM analysis showed that the Musa spp. plantation and the native forest presented more complex and organized microstructures, associated with biological activity and favorable hydric conditions, promoting the formation of stable microaggregates. In contrast, the Cenchrus purpureus and Anacardium occidentale areas exhibited more compact particles and lower structural organization. Overall, the integrated evaluation of soil attributes effectively distinguished the Musa spp. plantation and native forest from the other land-use systems, indicating greater structural stability.

Source: The Science of The Total Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181724