EVALUATION OF SOME PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF AN OXISOL UNDER DIFFERENT CROP COVER

Soil attributes are dynamic and are subject to change according to the use and management adopted, is important for determining its best use agricultural soil. Thus, it was aimed to evaluate some physical attributes (particle size, water dispersible clay and flocculation) of an Oxisol on different uses, namely: cultivated with two species of legumes and natural vegetation, in an area previously cultivated with vegetables, for about 10 years, under intense agricultural mechanization and application of lime and fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, being conducted in factorial 2 x 3, two depths (0 to 20 and 20 to 40 cm) and three cover crops, with four replications. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and averages compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. It was observed that the slow agitation provides better physical dispersion when compared with the fast agitation, showing greater accuracy and precision. The values of clay dispersed in water are larger at a depth of 20-40 cm. The soil under Mucuna pruriens L., in depth of 20-40 cm, has a higher value of water dispersible clay in water compared with to other cover crops and the soil under natural vegetation greater degree of flocculation this depth.