Influence of cactus pear cultivation density on the physicochemical characteristics of the soil

• Published in: Soil & tillage research 2023-08, Vol.232, p.105771, Article 105771
• Main Authors: Araújo, Cleyton de Almeida, Araújo, Gherman Garcia Leal de, Novaes, Judicael Janderson da Silva, Campos, Fleming Sena, Lima, Deneson Oliveira, Borges, Elizângela Nunes, Gois, Glayciane Costa, Silva, Crislane de Souza, da Silva, Thieres George Freire, de Sá, José Manoel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcium; Edaphic component; Macronutrients; Opuntia stricta
• ISSN: 0167-1987; 1879-3444
• DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2023.105771

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the planting density of cactus pear cv. Mexican elephant ear under soil physical and chemical properties. Four planting densities were tested: 30,000, 45,000, 60,000 and 75,000 plants distributed in a randomised block design with four replications. After 360 days of cultivation, soil samples were taken in different profiles (0.0–0.10, 0.10–0.20, 0.20–0.30 and 0.30–0.40 m). The physical–chemical analysis included soil density, particle density, porosity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+), manganese (Mn2+), zinc (Zn2+), exchangeable acidity (H+Al), sums of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity and base saturation (V). The results were tested using analysis of variance, regression at 5% probability and principal component analysis (PCA). Physical properties along the soil profile and soil chemical properties in the 0–0.10 m profile were not altered (P > 0.05) by the density. There was a decreasing linear effect (P