MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL PROFILES OF A FAMILY FARM IN THE PIMENTEIRA SETTLEMENT, SÃO JOÃO DO ARAGUAIA-PA

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Several studies have focused on investigating the relationships between soil attributes and the different environmental conditions in which they are inserted. The morphological characterization of the soils allows important results in this area. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the morphological characterization of three soil profiles. This work was carried out from August 12 to 16, 2013 in a family production establishment of the Pimenteira Settlement, São João do Araguaia-PA. The methodology used was to open trenches in three different areas (pasture area, cassava cultivation area and secondary forest area) for later morphological analysis and characterization of the soil up to the 10 categorical level according to the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SBCS). The results showed that the soil texture was similar in both areas. The clay fraction was dominant in all analyzed soils. The main morphological and physical attributes are the presence of mottling associated with more darkish, reddish, yellowish and light grayish hues, the clay texture, the subangular block structure and the presence of plinthite. The soil profiles presented, in general, diagnostic horizons B Plinthic.KEY WORDS: Attributes, Granulometric fractions, Plenosol.