EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SUGARCANE STRAW COVERAGE IN MOISTURE AND WATER LOSS OF SOIL

In the period from June 23 to July 23, 2006, in the regional environment of Araras-SP, it was studied the influence of sugarcane straw coverage harvested mechanically in water content of a dystrophic dark-red Latosol, A moderate and clayey texture. The variation of volumetric water content of soil in these plots was assessed in layers of 0 to 0.20 m and 0.20 to 0.40 m deep. The experimental treatments consisted of covering the soil with quantities of sugarcane straw equivalent to 0 and 1.5 kg.m(-2) (0 and 1.5x10(4) kg.ha(-1)), the first representing the condition without straw and the second condition with straw. The results collected in the 0-0.20 m layer showed that during the study period there was a decrease in soil water content of 0.103% per day provided with straw and 0.223% per day without straw, or more than double the water loss recorded previously. When it was considered the soil layer of 0.20-0.40 m, the decrease in soil water content was much lower than that of the previous situation, the order of 0.116% per day provided with straw and 0.159% per day without straw. An important point to note is that the treatments used in the experiment had a decisive influence on the direction of water movement in the soil.