Physical properties and organic carbon content of aTypic Hapludult soil fertilised with pig slurry and pig litterin a no-tillage system

Jucinei José CominA, Arcângelo LossA,K, Milton da VeigaB, Renato GuardiniC,Djalma Eugênio SchmittD, Paulo Armando Victoria de Oliveira E, Paulo Belli FilhoF,Rafael da Rosa CoutoG, Lucas BenedetH, Vilmar Müller JúniorI, and Gustavo BrunettoJ

ADepartamento de Engenharia Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis,SC, Brazil.

BEmpresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina, Estacão Experimental,Campos Novos, SC, Brazil.

CAutônomo, Grupo de Pesquisa e Extensão em Agroecologia, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.DDoutorando do Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Ciência do Solo; Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina,Lages, SC, Brazil.

EEmpresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, EMBRAPA Suínos e Aves, Concórdia, SC, Brazil.FDepartamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.GDoutorando do Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Engenharia Ambiental, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.HMestrando do Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Agroecossistemas, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.IGraduando do Curso de Agronomia, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.JDepartamento de Solos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.KCorresponding author. Email: arcangeloloss@yahoo.com.br; arcangelo.loss@ufsc.br

Abstract. Applications of swine residues to the soil surface in a no-tillage system (NTS) may increase the organic carbonlevel and improve the physical properties of the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the continuous application ofpig slurry (PS) and pig litter (PL) on the total organic carbon (TOC) content and physical properties of soil under NTS inSouthern Brazil. In March 2010, after 8 years of cultivation of black oats (Avena strigosa)–maize (Zea mays), soil sampleswere collected in the 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 cm layers. The treatments consisted of a control plot (without manureapplication), plots with PS applications equivalent to one and two times the recommended rate of nitrogen (N) for maizeand black oats (PS1X and PS2X, respectively), and plots with PL equivalent to one and two times the recommended rate ofN for maize and black oats (PL1X and PL2X, respectively). The TOC, soil bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR),total porosity (TP), macro- and microporosity, distribution of pore diameters, and indices of aggregation and aggregatestability were evaluated. Differences were found between treatments for TOC, BD, macro- and microporosity, porediameter, aggregation, and PR. Treatment with PL favoured the production of aggregates (diameter >4mm) and increasedthe rates of aggregation and aggregate stability in the 10–15 and 15–20 cm layers and macroporosity in the 0–5 and15–20 cm layers. Application of PL2X reduced PR by 34% and 20%, respectively, in the 5–10 and 10–15 cm layers.Eight years of adding PS to successive cultivations of black oats–maize soil managed under NTS produced no changes inthe physical features or the TOC of the soil, whereas the application of PL produced improvements in physical attributes ofthe soil and increased soil TOC.

Additional keywords: aggregation, organic fertilisation, penetration resistance, porosity.

Received 25 April 2013, accepted 12 July 2013, published online 20 September 2013

List of abbreviations: PS, pig slurry (m3 ha–1); PL, pig litter (kg ha–1); TOC, total organic carbon (g kg–1); BD, bulk density(Mgm–3); PR, penetration resistance (MPa); AMDad, AMDws, arithmetic weighted medium air-dried diameter (mm), water-stablediameter (mm); GMDad, GMDws, geometric medium air-dried diameter (mm), water-stable diameter (mm); SIA, stability indices ofaggregates; DM, dry matter; DAS, days after sowing; FAF, fulvic acid fraction; HAF, humid acid fraction; POM, particulate organicmatter; SOM, soil organic matter.

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Soil Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SR13130

IntroductionMany types of manure have been applied to soil as nutrientsources to increase agricultural production and improve soilproperties. Furthermore, the rising cost of fertilisers and thegrowing concern related to the decay of soil quality and theenvironment have contributed to the growing interest inrecycling organic materials in agricultural areas.

The substitution of mineral fertilisers with swine manureapplied in a liquid form, or as a superimposed layer, has beenproposed in locations where high densities of confined livestockare raised, mainly on small farms such as those in Santa CatarinaState in the southern region of Brazil (Scherer et al. 2010; Coutoet al. 2010; Sartor et al. 2012; Guardini et al. 2012a). In additionto providing nutrients, the continuous application of manure canhave long-term impacts on the content of organic material(Ceretta et al. 2003; Hati et al. 2006) and the biologicalactivity in the soil (Larkin et al. 2006; Morales et al. 2011),producing improvements in soil physical properties, density,porosity, and water retention (Arruda et al. 2010; Rauber et al.2012) as well as in the production of macro-aggregates(Wortmann and Shapiro 2008) and in the grain yield ofmaize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), soybeans(Glycine max), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) (Sartor et al.2012).

It is known that the addition of organic fertiliser can causeincreases in the organic content of the soil and, consequently, anincrease in water retention capacity, porosity, infiltrationcapacity, hydraulic conductivity, and water-stable aggregates,as well as a reduction in the soil density and production ofsuperficial crusting (Haynes and Naidu 1998); however, fewstudies have been conducted in Latin America assessing theeffect of using swine manure on soil physical features (Arrudaet al. 2010; Rauber et al. 2012).

Long-term studies on soil managed under no-tillage systems(NTS) and studies comparing the use of pig slurry (PS) and piglitter (PL) are particularly sparse. There is also little informationon the effect of using waste on the distribution of pore diameter,aggregation, and aggregate stability. Thus, surveys have beenconducted to assess the changes in chemical and physicalproperties of the soil resulting from the addition of pigmanure. However, these changes depend on the soilconditions, soil management, and crop, as well as the doseand frequency of application of pig manure (Jokela et al. 2009;Arruda et al. 2010). Little is known about the effects ofapplications of high doses of pig manure on soil physicalproperties (Arruda et al. 2010). The application of animalmanure can change the structural condition of the soil, whichwould be evidenced by changes in soil pore volume, continuity,and size (Ribeiro et al. 2007). In addition to influencing plantgrowth, application of animal manure can change aeration,penetration resistance of roots, and, consequently, absorptionof nutrients and water (Mosaddeghi et al. 2009).

Therefore, long-term studies are needed to assess changes insoil physical properties and to obtain more reliable results inorder to plan management practices that help maintain soilquality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thecontinuous application of PS and PL on total organic carbon(TOC) content and physical properties of soil managed withNTS in Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil.

Materials and methodsThe experiment began in 2002 on a swine farm in the city ofBraco do Norte in the south of Santa Catarina, Brazil, atgeoreferenced coordinates 288150S, 498150W and at analtitude of 300m; the soil in this region is a Typic Hapludult(Soil Survey Staff 2006), with relief undulated, medium texture(sandy clay loam) in the A horizon, and predominantly graniteand clay substrates (1 : 1). According to the Brazilian Systemof Soil Classification (Embrapa 2006), the soil is ArgissoloVermelho-Amarelo. The climate of this municipality is CSH(climate subtropical humid) according to Köppen’sclassification, with an average annual temperature of 18.78Cand average annual rainfall of 1471mm (Fig. 1). Before theexperiment, the soil had the following chemical properties ata depth of 0–10 cm: TOC 19.14 g kg–1 (Embrapa 1997); clay330 g kg–1; pH(H2O) 5.1; exchangeable Al, Mg, Ca (extractorKCl 1mol–1), and K (extractor Mehlich 1) 0.8, 0.8, 3.0, and0.3 cmolc dm

–3, respectively; and available P (extractorMehlich 1) 19mg dm–3.

Before the experiment, the area was covered by naturalpasture predominantly composed of bahiagrass (Paspalumnotatum), black pasture (Paspalum plicatulum), gravata(Eryngium ciliatum), and melanin (Stylosanthesmontevidensis). Pig slurry had been sporadically applied tothe soil surface. In December 2002, 6Mg ha–1 of limestonewas applied to the soil surface at a defined dose to raise the pH(H2O) to 6.0 in the 0–20 cm layers (Comissão de Fertilidade doSolo (CFSRS/SC) 1994). In January 2003, after the desiccation(with the herbicide glyphosate) of the grassland, five treatmentswere set up: control (no fertilisation); fertilisation with PSequivalent to the recommended rate of nitrogen (N) for maizeand black oats (Avena strigosa) (PS1X); fertilisation with PSequivalent to twice the recommended rate of N for maize andblack oats (PS2X); fertilisation with PL equivalent to therecommended rate of N for maize and black oats (PL1X);and fertilisation with PL equivalent to twice therecommended amount of N for maize and black oats (PL2X).

Cultivation of black oats–maize under NTSwas done withoutthe use of pesticides. The experiment was conducted on a smallfarm where agricultural machines were not used for its operationand maintenance. All of the work was done manually. It is anNTS agroecologically because it does not use herbicides to drythe black oats. This is manually mown and then maize is sownwith the aid of a saraqua (manual seeder used by smallholderfarmers to deploy grain crops). The experimental design was arandomised complete block with five treatments and threereplications in experimental units of 4.5 by 6.0m (27.0m2).The PS was collected from a midden on the property where theexperiment was conducted; this midden stores waste to completethe waste management cycle. The PL was obtained from theFederal Agrotechnical School in Concórdia, Santa Catarina,Brazil, where pigs in the terminal phase (100–150 kg) werereared on wood shavings.

The amount of swine manure applied from 2003 to 2010 tomeet the N demand for black oats–maize in each treatment wasin accordance with the recommendations of the Commission ofChemistry and Soil Fertility (Comissão de Química e Fertilidadedo Solo 2004). Thus, the amount of PS applied in PS1X andPS2X was defined by estimating the percentage of dry mass

B Soil Research J. J. Comin et al.

(DM) and the nutrient concentration in PS. The amount of PLapplied in PL1X and PL2X was calculated based on the levels ofN found in the PL, considering a mineralisation rate of total N of>50% in the PL. The PS and PL were the only sources ofnutrients added to the successive production of black oats–maizethroughout the experiment (Table 1). Averages values of N, P,K, Ca, and Mg (kg ha–1), pH(H2O), and electrical conductivity(dSm–1) from PS and PL, respectively, during the 8 years of thestudy were 120, 40, 57, 53, 20, 8.1, and 9.3 from PS, and 183,105, 173, 241, 105, 8.8, and 5.9 from PL.

In each agricultural year, PS was applied on the soil surface infour parcels totalling 32 applications during the experimentalperiod as follows: 7 days after sowing (DAS) maize, 51 DASmaize, 95 DAS maize, and 15 DAS black oats. The PL wasapplied only once per agricultural year, for eight applications intotal during the experimental period; each dose was applied tothe soil surface 15–30 days before planting maize. Yields ofblack oats dry mass and maize grain obtained during the 8 yearsof application of swine manure are shown in Table 2.

In March 2010, a trench was opened (40 by 40 by 40 cm) inthe centre of each plot, and samples of preserved soil from the0–5, 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 cm layers were collected usingvolumetric rings 5 cm high with an inner diameter of 7 cm. Toevaluate the soil, methods of analysis described by Dane andTopp (2002) were used. The distribution of pore diameters(>500, 500–50, 50–5, 5–0.5, and <0.5mm), total porosity,macropores �50mm, micropores <50mm, bulk density (BD),and penetration resistance (PR) with balanced humidity tensionof 0.6MPa were evaluated. Uniformity of soil water tension wasused in order to perform the PR test in a standard condition ofsoil moisture, a condition possible only when the test isperformed in the laboratory. No adjustment is required for thehumidity factor of the soil. The water content of the soil in thecondition of determination of PR corresponds to the volume of

micropores. The variation in BD, in turn, is reflected indifferences in the PR between samples, as these are highlycorrelated variables. The PR was determined in the centre ofthe same samples used for determining the BD and soil porosity(inner diameter = 70mm and h = 50mm), with moisturestabilised at 0.6MPa in Extract Richards (Richards 1941).For this determination we used a penetrometer (ModelMA933; Marconi Ltd, Algodoal, Brazil) equipped with apenetration pin 80mm high, top diameter 3mm, diameter<4mm, and conical tip angle 308, set to a speed ofpenetration 1mm s–1. The value for each sample was themean of the 30 values obtained between 11 and 40mm depth.

Subsequently, the samples were crumbled and sieved throughan 8-mm mesh sieve and air-dried in the shade to determine thesize distribution of the aggregates after dry sieving in water,using the following diameter classes: <0.5, 0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.0,2.0–4.0, and 4.0–8.0mm. With the fractional masses ofaggregates retained on the sieve with smaller mesh openings,

Stations that plant maize and black oats

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Fig. 1. Maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall during the months the plants grewduring the 8 years of the study.

Table 1. Quantities of pig slurry and deep pig litter applied over8 years in a Typic Hapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina,

BrazilDM, Dry matter; V, applied volume; AQ, applied quantity

Agricultural year Pig slurry Pig litterDM (%) V (m3 ha–1) DM (%) AQ (kg ha–1)

2002–03 0.18 20.0 36.2 132003–04 0.11 24.4 58.1 44.12004–05 0.19 78.5 56.6 20.92005–06 0.25 59.5 58.6 23.72006–07 0.24 63.3 59.5 25.62007–08 0.22 67.0 41.3 10.72008–09 0.42 176.7 64.0 8.12009–10 0.17 68.6 41.6 20.0

Properties of a soil fertilised with pig residues Soil Research C

for each class and respective diameter medium class, thefollowing parameters were determined: the arithmeticweighted medium diameter air-dried aggregate (AMDad), thegeometric medium diameter air-dried aggregate (GMDad), theAMD water-stable aggregate (AMDws), the GMD water-stableaggregate (GMDws), and the stability indices of aggregates(SIAAMD=AMDws/AMDad and SIAGMD=GMDws/AMDad)(Embrapa 1997). The TOC content of the soil was measuredas described by Walkley and Black (1934).

Data normality was verified by the Lilliefors test (Lilliefors1967) and homogeneity of variance by the Bartlett test (Bartlett1937). Subsequently, the data were analysed as a randomisedblock design with five treatments (control, PS1X, PS2X,PL1X, PL2X) and three replications. The data weresubmitted to analyses of variance with the treatments andsample layers as factors; when significant values of the F-test were observed, the averages were compared by Tukey’stest at P = 0.05.

Results and discussionThe highest levels of TOC were found in the superficial layers(0–5 and 5–10 cm) of treatments with applied litter (PL2X andPL1X). In the 10–15 cm layer, the PS1X treatment had thelowest level of TOC relative to the control area, whereas nodifferences were found between treatments in the 15–20 cmlayer (Table 3). The higher TOC values in the treatmentswith PL are due to the higher C/N ratio of organic materialscommonly used in litter, including wood shavings and rice hulls.By contrast, the treatment with PS had a low C/N ratio(Giacomini and Aita 2008). The higher C/N ratio implies alower rate of decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) bymicrobial decomposers (Prescott 2005), resulting in increasedTOC levels in the treatment with PL.

The highest levels of TOC were found in the surface layer(0–5 cm) in all treatments; these levels decreased with increasingsoil depth in all treatments (Table 3). This pattern demonstratesthe combined effect of the addition of vegetable waste

Table 2. Production of black oats dry matter and maize grain (Mgha–1) during the 8 years of application of swinemanure in a Typic Hapludult soil in Braco do Norte, SC, Brazil

PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen (N); PL1X,PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N

Treatment 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10

Black oatsControl 8.1 8.9 4.1 7.6 3.4 9.5 9.2 4.9PS1X 10.4 9.4 4.9 10.9 4.9 10.7 11.6 7.7PS2X 10.9 11.2 4.9 11.0 5.2 11.6 12.4 7.1PL1X 13.6 10.9 4.8 11.1 5.9 10.5 9.3 9.4PL2X 10.9 11.5 5.9 11.7 5.7 12.3 12.4 9.3

MaizeControl 3.0 0.6 2.6 3.3 1.4 1.3 4.0 2.7PS1X 4.0 2.8 2.7 5.6 6.0 6.4 3.6 4.0PS2X 3.0 2.9 3.5 6.4 6.4 6.0 6.6 4.1PL1X 4.0 3.8 3.0 5.7 6.0 7.6 4.3 4.2PL2X 4.1 3.7 4.2 7.1 7.5 8.1 5.8 6.6

Table 3. Total organic carbon and bulk density after 8 years of application of swine manure in a Typic Hapludult soil inBraco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of

variation. Start (0–10 cm), Average of 0–10 cm layer at the beginning of the experiment

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X PL1X PL2X CV%

Total organic carbon (g kg–1)0–5 30.50aCD 29.52aD 34.43aBC 37.45aB 50.43aA 3.865–10 19.20bB 18.53bB 21.30bB 25.67bA 27.00bA 4.9210–15 17.63bA 14.27cB 16.60cAB 15.53cAB 15.40cAB 5.4415–20 15.10cA 13.20dA 14.70cA 13.73cA 13.47cA 6.40CV% 2.69 1.85 4.38 6.95 3.99Start (0–10 cm) 24.85 24.30 27.86 31.56 38.72

Bulk density (Mgm–3)0–5 1.17cA 1.15cA 1.22cA 0.99bB 0.93cB 4.335–10 1.28bA 1.32bA 1.34aA 1.29aA 1.15bB 2.3710–15 1.38aAB 1.41aA 1.33aB 1.33aB 1.36aB 1.4915–20 1.36aB 1.40aA 1.28bC 1.35aB 1.36aB 1.06CV % 1.17 0.81 1.04 2.62 3.07

D Soil Research J. J. Comin et al.

(maize + black oats) on the soil surface and the application ofswine manure without incorporation into the soil.

The TOC levels were no higher in treatments with PS than inthe control treatment (Table 3), as was also observed by Schereret al. (2010), who evaluated SOM levels in different types of soilthat had been treated with PS for 20 years in the west of SantaCatarina State. These results are due to low levels of DM(Table 1) and TOC (Table 3) found in PS (on average0.22%), resulting in the addition of 1228 and 2455 kg ha–1 inthe DM of the PS1X and PS2X treatments, respectively. In thePL treatments, the average DM content was 52%, and 691 and1382 kg ha–1 was added to the soil in the DM of the PL1X/PL2Xtreatments, respectively (Table 1).

The TOC level in the 0–10 cm layer before the experimentwas 19.14 g kg–1; after 8 years of swine manure application,increases in TOC were found in all treatments. These increaseswere 30, 27, 45, 65, and 102%, respectively, for the control,PS1X, PS2X, PL1X, and PL2X treatments (Table 3) and weredue to both the input of plant residues and the addition of swineslurry. Celik et al. (2010) evaluated the effects of the applicationof manure, a compost mixture of grass and wheat (Triticumaestivum) stubble, and compost inoculated with mycorrhizae for12 years on a Typic Xerofluvents soil sown with wheat, maize,and winter wheat under conventional management. Thoseauthors found that the SOM content in the 0–30 cm layerincreased by 69%, 32%, and 24%, respectively, whenmanure, a compost mixture of grass and wheat stubble, andcompost inoculated with mycorrhizae were added. Even in thecontrol treatment, increased soil TOC levels were found due tothe no-tillage and successive cultivation of black oats–maize, theaddition of vegetable waste, and the absence of soil ploughingand harrowing. The highest increases in the soil TOCwere foundin the PL2X, PL1X, and PS2X treatments.

An inverse relationship was found between soil BD and TOClevels, and the lowest BD values were found in the soil surfacelayer (0–5 cm) in all treatments (Table 3). The decrease in BDand the consequent decrease in the density of particles resulted ingreater soil aggregation (which was also associated withincreased TOC), in higher values of total porosity in the soilsurface layer, and in higher macroporosity in the PL2X andPS2X treatments (Fig. 2).

In the PS2X treatment, BD values were lowest in the15–20 cm layer (Table 3). This lower value of BD was notdirectly correlated with higher values of total porosity andmacro- and microporosity (Figs 2, 3, and 4). However, unlikein other treatments, there were no differences in macroporosityamong the layers in the PS2X treatment. This pattern may berelated to the migration of SOM fractions with greater mobility,such as the fulvic acid fraction (FAF) (Stevenson 1994). Meloet al. (2008) characterised SOM fractions of pig manure fromsettling ponds (PS) and found higher levels of FAF (6.0 g kg–1)compared with humid acid fractions (HAF) (3.9 g kg–1). In astudy of SOM fractions, Canellas et al. (2000) compared BDvalues in several types of soils with FAF and HAF and onlyfound a significant negative correlation between FAF and BD,indicating that the lower BD values were a result of higher levelsof FAF.

In the soil, differences in total porosity were found betweentreatments only in the 15–20 cm layer of soil, with the highest

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60

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Fig. 2. Total porosity after 8 years of application of pig manure in a TypicHapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Averages followedby the same lower case letter between depths and uppercase letter betweentreatments are not significantly different (Tukey, P = 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pigslurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate,respectively, of nitrogen (N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent torecommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient ofvariation.

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Fig. 3. Macroporosity after 8 years of application of pig manure in a TypicHapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Averages followedby the same lower case letter between depths and uppercase letter betweentreatments are not significantly different (Tukey, P = 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pigslurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate,respectively, of nitrogen (N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent torecommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient ofvariation.

Properties of a soil fertilised with pig residues Soil Research E

values occurring in the control treatment and the lowest in thePS2X treatment (which were not different from the values in theother treatments) (Fig. 2). These differences are likely moreassociated with the low coefficient of variation (CV%) in thissoil layer than with the effect of treatments, as the variation intotal porosity among these treatments (in the 5–10 cm layer) was0.04m3m–3. In the last layer, there were no differences in totalporosity values, most likely because the CV% was almost fourtimes higher than in the 15–20 cm layer (Fig. 2). Thus, it appearsthat after 8 years of applying pig manure, there were no changesin soil total porosity except in the 15–20 cm layer of the PS2Xtreatment. These results are similar to those of Arruda et al.(2010), who found no differences among the treatments in totalporosity of a Rhodic Hapludox managed under NTS with thesuccessive cultivation of maize–black oats in Campos Novos,Santa Catarina, Brazil, where PS had been applied for 6 years. Inthe middle layers evaluated in the study of Arruda et al. (2010)(0–20 cm), the total porosity values ranged from 0.45 to0.48m3m–3.

In contrast to the findings associated with total porosity, theapplication of swine manure produced differences in the macro-and microporosity (Figs 3 and 4). Higher values ofmicroporosity were found in the 5–10 cm layer in the PL2Xtreatment, and lower values were found in the control and PStreatments; in the 15–20 cm layer, the highest and lowest valueswere observed in the control and PL2X treatments, respectively,and values were similar in all other treatments (Fig. 4). Theaddition of PL2X increased macroporosity in the 0–5 and

15–20 cm layers, while the addition of PL1X produced highermacroporosity values in the 5–10 cm layer. The PS1X treatmentresulted in lower macroporosity values in the 0–5 and 5–10 cmlayers (Fig. 3). These differences may be related to the TOClevels, as the PL2X and PS1X treatments had the highest andlowest TOC values in the 0–5 cm layer, respectively (Table 3).

In addition to producing the highest TOC level, the DMlevels of the oat shoots of the PL2X treatment tended to behigher (Table 2). Higher levels of DM facilitate the access of airto the soil through the root system, which favours the formationof stable biopores and subsequent increases in the proportion ofmacropores. Nicoloso et al. (2008) concluded that soildecompaction by mechanical scarification (ripper) andbiological disruption (decompaction via the growth of rootsystems of black oats and forage turnips) increased themacroporosity in the soil via the formation of biopores.Increased numbers of biopores increase water infiltration intothe soil and reduce the permeation resistance of the soil.

The highest macroporosity values observed in the PL2Xtreatment may also be related to the higher microbial activityfound in this treatment (Morales et al. 2011), resulting in theformation of macro-aggregates by action of electrostatic forces,microbial activity, and growth of roots (Six et al. 2004).

When evaluating the distribution of pore diameters in the soilsurface layer (0–5 cm), only pores 5–0.5mm in diameter differedamong treatments; the lowest and highest values were found forPL2X and for PL1X and control treatments, respectively; valuesdid not differ in the PS1X and PS2X treatments (Table 4). Theabsence of differences between treatments in the surface layermay be related to the NTS soil management, which promotes thedevelopment of the root system of black oat and maize andproduces similar pore diameters in the evaluated areas.

Major variations in the distribution of pore diameters wereobserved in the 15–20 cm layer, where the PL2X treatment hadthe highest number of 500–50-mm-diameter pores, whereasPL1X and the control treatment had higher numbers of 50–5-mm-diameter pores. In other treatments, the diameter classeswere similar (Table 4). The higher proportions of pores withlarger diameter in the PL2X treatment, which also generallyresulted in higher DM yields of black oats and maize(Table 2), favoured the formation of larger pores throughoutthe root system, culminating in the highest macroporosity of alltreatments (Fig. 3).

Greater differences between treatments and depths werefound in dry-sieved aggregates (Table 5); in the surface layer,in particular, the lowest values of mass aggregates with diameter>4mm were found in the PL2X treatment, whereas the highestvalues were found in the PS1X treatment. However, foraggregates with diameters in the ranges 2–1 and 1–0.5mm,the lowest values of mass aggregates were found in the PS1Xtreatment, which also had the lowest values of aggregates withdiameters >4mm in the 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 cm layers. ThePS2X treatment had lower weight aggregates with diameters>4mm in the 10–15 and 15–20 cm layers (Table 5).

Water-stable aggregates followed a similar pattern to that ofthe air-dried aggregates. Lower values of the class with diameter>4mm were observed in PS1X and PS2X treatments in the5–10 cm layer, and smaller aggregates were observed in thePS2X treatments in the 15–20 cm layer; in this last layer, the

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50

Microporosity (MI) (m3 m–3)

bcA

bAbC

aCaAaAB

aAB

aBCaA

abAaA

abAbB

aA

cA

bAB

aAabAB

aA

aA

PL2X

PL1X

PS2X

PS1X

Control

Trea

tmen

ts

0–5 cm 5–10 cm 10–15 cm 15–20 cm

Fig. 4. Microporosity after 8 years of application of pig manure in a TypicHapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Averages followedby the same lower case letter between depths and uppercase letter betweentreatments are not significantly different (Tukey, P= 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pigslurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate,respectively, of nitrogen (N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent torecommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient ofvariation.

F Soil Research J. J. Comin et al.

values did not differ between the PS2X and PS1X treatments andthe control treatment. For aggregates with diameters in theranges 0.5–1, 1–2, and 2–4mm, differences were foundamong treatments only in the 15–20 cm layer, emphasisingthat the treatment with the higher dose of PS had the lowestmass of clusters with diameters 1–2 and 2–4mm (Table 6).

The differences in the distribution of aggregates after sievingthrough dry and humid processes (Tables 5 and 6) are associatedwith the rate of decomposition of swine manure because, asshown by Khaleel et al. (1981), while the rapid decomposition ofresidues leads to a rapid increase in particle aggregation, itseffect on the soil structure is temporary. In contrast, if thematerial comprising the residue decomposes slowly, theaggregation effect will not be as strong but will last longer,suggesting that the compounds should be made of materialsrich in lignin (Celik et al. 2004). The effect of adding organicmatter on soil physical properties depends on the climate, soilcharacteristics, management system, and rate and type oforganic material applied (Herencia et al. 2011). This patterncan be seen for the larger aggregates (diameter >4mm) forboth dry and humid sieving, where treatments with PL had

higher masses of aggregates than treatments with PS (except inthe dry process in the 0–5 cm layer).

In the 10–15 cm layer, lower levels of air-dried aggregates(diameter >4mm) were found in the PL1X treatment than inthe PS1X treatment. For air-dried aggregates, including thosewith diameter 1–2mm, lower values were observed in the5–10 cm layer in the control treatment than in the PL2Xtreatment. Moreover, fewer air-dried aggregates with adiameter 0.5–1mm were found in the 15–20 cm layer of thecontrol treatment than the PS2X treatment (Table 5). For water-stable aggregates, only in the subsurface layers (10–15 and15–20 cm) were there fewer aggregates with diameter>4mm in the control treatment than in the PL2X treatment(Table 6).

The above-mentioned differences may be due to increasedlevels of particulate organic matter (POM) in areas with manure.According to Aoyama et al. (1999), the application of animalmanure contributes to an increase in POM and promotes themacro-aggregation of soil, especially in the case of aggregateswith diameter >4mm (air-dried aggregates and water-stableaggregates; Tables 5 and 6), as was seen in the present study.

Table 4. Distribution of the diameters (mm) of soil pores after 8 years of application of swine manure in a TypicHapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of variation

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X PL1X PL2X CV%

Diameters >500mm0–5 0.06aA 0.06aA 0.07aA 0.08abA 0.06abA 16.715–10 0.06aAB 0.03bB 0.05aB 0.09aA 0.05bB 19.6310–15 0.07aA 0.04bB 0.06aAB 0.06cAB 0.06abAB 13.1315–20 0.07aA 0.07aA 0.06aA 0.07bcA 0.08aA 8.93CV % 9.80 13.74 26.62 8.19 15.29

Diameters 500–50mm0–5 0.05abA 0.05aA 0.07aA 0.05abA 0.08aA 17.555–10 0.06aA 0.05aA 0.06aA 0.06aA 0.06bA 11.8510–15 0.06aA 0.05aA 0.06aA 0.05abA 0.06abA 15.6015–20 0.04bBC 0.05aAB 0.06aA 0.03bC 0.06abA 7.85CV % 8.14 15.27 15.78 20.47 11.47

Diameters 50–5mm0–5 0.04aA 0.06aA 0.05aA 0.05aA 0.05aA 48.655–10 0.04aB 0.04bB 0.04aB 0.02aB 0.08aA 25.9110–15 0.03aA 0.03bA 0.04aA 0.04aA 0.04aA 27.3115–20 0.03aB 0.04bB 0.04aB 0.04aB 0.08aA 21.00CV % 21.82 13.27 27.47 66.52 30.52

Diameters 5–0.5mm0–5 0.04bA 0.02aAB 0.02aAB 0.03bA 0.01aB 28.465–10 0.08aA 0.02aB 0.03aB 0.06aA 0.01aB 25.2110–15 0.02bA 0.02aA 0.03aA 0.03bA 0.03aA 31.4115–20 0.03bAB 0.02aAB 0.01aB 0.04abA 0.01aB 30.67CV % 21.12 25.00 29.63 23.01 47.07

Diameters <0.5mm0–5 0.36aA 0.36aA 0.36aA 0.40aA 0.41aA 15.025–10 0.32abA 0.30bA 0.29abA 0.28aA 0.35bA 9.2210–15 0.29bA 0.28bA 0.26bA 0.28aA 0.27cA 10.7615–20 0.30bA 0.27bAB 0.24bB 0.27aAB 0.26cAB 5.11CV % 5.77 3.54 9.90 23.40 7.25

Properties of a soil fertilised with pig residues Soil Research G

The application of animal residues not only promotes soilaggregation but also increases soil fertility (Couto et al. 2010;Scherer et al. 2010), which results in increased productivity ofcrops (Table 2), dry matter production of roots (Bulluck et al.2002), and dry weight of shoots (Table 2). The root system,mycorrhizae, and fungal hyphae have a crucial bearing on soilaggregation by releasing binding agents within and betweenaggregates (Tisdall 1994), conferring mechanical strength to thesoil. The hyphae serve as sources of energy for other organisms(Lynch and Bragg 1985). Animal manure also provides anadditional source of nutrients and carbon for microbialactivity (Haynes and Naidu 1998). The increased activity ofroots and microorganisms leads to the formation andstabilisation of macro-aggregates (Six et al. 2004), as wasseen in the PL2X treatment, which had a higher proportion ofaggregates with diameter >4mm (humid and dry process) andthe highest microbial activity of all treatments (Morales et al.2011).

The aggregation rates of AMDad and GMDad followed asimilar pattern to those found in the mass of the air-driedaggregates with diameter >4mm (Table 7), with highervalues recorded for the PS1X treatment and lower values forthe PL2X treatment in the surface layer. For the 10–15 and15–20 cm layers, the PL1X treatment had higher AMDad andGMDad values then the other treatments (Table 7). For AMDwsand GMDws, a similar pattern was observed, as seen in thedistribution of water-stable aggregates with diameter >4mm

(Table 6) in all layers except the 5–10 cm layer, where nodifferences were observed in AMDws (Table 7). In thesubsurface layers (10–15 and 15–20 cm), the highest valuesof AMDws and GMDws were found in the PL2X treatment;likewise, the highest values of AMDad and GMDad wereobserved in the PL1X treatment.

The highest aggregation rates were observed in PLtreatments, indicating that its use promotes the formation ofmacro-aggregates and thus increases the average diameter ofaggregates. This effect was clearly seen for AMD and GMD(10–15 and 15–20 cm), which may be due to the higher C/Nratio of the litter and the lower rate of decomposition of SOM,which interacted with the SOM fractions (e.g. humid and fulvicacids) and the soil aggregates, resulting in the formation of morestable organic compounds and aggregates (Tisdall and Oades1982).

In the soil surface layer (0–5 cm), lower masses of air-driedaggregates (diameter >4mm) (Table 5) and lower values ofAMDad, GMDad, and GMDws were found in the PL2Xtreatment (Table 7); this finding may be due to higher levelsof nutrients such as Ca and Mg (Couto et al. 2010) acting asdispersants and reducing aggregate stability. Accordingly, thegreater dispersion is associated with the higher repulsionbetween the soil particles due to increasing net negativecharges and the thickness of the diffuse electrical double-layer caused by the substitution of Al3+ (greater powerflocculant) with Ca and Mg (Fontes et al. 1995).

Table 5. Distribution of mass aggregates (g) by diameter class under dry sieving after 8 years of swine manureapplication on a Typic Hapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of variation

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X PL1X PL2X CV%

Diameters >4mm0–5 10.70bB 13.17aA 10.41bB 11.08cB 9.32cC 3.495–10 14.07aA 12.12abB 12.63aAB 12.90bAB 12.63bAB 4.4710–15 12.37abB 11.69abBC 10.34bC 15.45aA 12.66bB 4.8815–20 12.48abAB 11.21bB 10.76bB 14.17abA 14.32aA 6.62CV% 8.72 5.57 5.71 4.09 3.89

Diameters 4–2mm0–5 6.99bA 6.83cA 7.94bA 7.71aA 7.50aA 6.485–10 8.48aAB 8.80aAB 9.36aA 7.89aB 8.43aAB 4.6910–15 7.41bB 8.49abA 7.78bAB 7.76aAB 7.75aAB 4.7615–20 7.69abA 7.88bA 8.42bA 7.69aA 7.36aA 7.95CV% 4.42 3.79 3.56 3.89 10.73

Diameters 2–1mm0–5 4.59aA 3.73bB 4.74abA 4.46aA 4.96aA 5.045–10 3.74bB 4.29aAB 4.08cAB 4.33aAB 4.60abA 5.4610–15 4.73aA 4.57aAB 4.79aA 4.38aAB 4.24bcB 3.7115–20 4.83aA 4.64aA 4.41bcAB 4.17aBC 3.73cC 3.63CV% 5.12 3.64 2.94 3.47 5.21

Diameters 1–0.5mm0–5 4.16aAB 3.53abC 3.98aB 4.49aA 4.30aAB 3.405–10 2.81cA 3.12bA 3.11bA 3.24bA 3.16bA 7.5210–15 3.70bAB 3.45abB 4.03aA 2.49cC 3.36bB 4.9315–20 3.93abB 3.84aB 4.39aA 2.92bcC 3.15bC 3.57CV% 2.83 4.68 4.39 5.47 5.15

H Soil Research J. J. Comin et al.

In the 15–20 cm layer, higher rates of GMDad and GMDwswere found in the PL treatments than in the control area; lowerrates were found in the PS treatment than in the control treatment(Table 7). Similar results were found by Arruda et al. (2010)when evaluating the GMDws in areas with black oats–maizemanaged under NTS on a Rhodic Hapludox soil in SantaCatarina, Brazil. Those authors observed a reduction inGMDws with the application of 50 and 100m3 ha–1 of PS,but not at the highest dose (200m3 ha–1 DLS), for theaverage values GMDws at 0–20 cm. The authors reasonedthat the decreases in GMDws (from 6.1mm to 5.7mm in thecontrol and PS treatments, respectively) can be considered smallin magnitude due to the high clay and iron oxide content in theRhodic Hapludox, which promotes high stability of aggregates.This pattern differed in the present study, as the experimentswere conducted on a Typic Hapludult soil with medium texture;however, the proportional variation in GMDws between thecontrol and PS treatments was similar (although lower;Table7) due to the sandier texture of the Typic Hapludult.Likewise, the CV% observed in both studies was similar.Arruda et al. (2010) found CV% values similar to thoseobserved in the present study (6.0%), especially in the15–20 cm layer (CV 5.46%) (Table 7). Therefore, regardlessof texture, adding PS produces reductions in GMDws, whileadding PL increases GMDws.

No differences in the indices SIAAMD and SIAGMD werefound between treatments in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers;

however, differences were found in the 10–15 and 15–20 cmlayers, with higher and lower values in the PL2X and PS1X/PL1X treatments, respectively (Table 7).

When comparing the distribution of water-stable aggregateswith diameters >4mm, only treatments with litter had higherlevels of this class of aggregates; the highest values wereobserved at the surface, and levels decreased with increasingdepth in the other treatments (Table 6). No differences in thelevels of water-stable aggregates with diameter >4mm or inAMDWS in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers were found between thePL2X and control treatments, indicating that the use of NTSwould be sufficient to keep soil aggregation at levels similar tothose of NTS soil with applied manure. However, the addition ofswine manure and litter was beneficial and increased theproportion of aggregates with diameters >4mm (andconsequently the AMDws). This result is directly reflected inthe higher values of macroporosity (Fig. 3) and pore volume inthe diameter classes 500–50 and 50–5mm (Table 5) in the15–20 cm layer of the PL2X treatment. These improvementsin physical properties also contributed to the increase in theproduction of maize and black oats in PL2X, as seen in Table 2.

There were no differences in penetration resistance in the soilsurface layer among treatments, whereas in the 5–10 and10–15 cm layers, lower values of penetration resistance werefound in the PL2X treatment than in the PL1X (5–10 cm) andPS2X (10–15 cm) treatments; no differences in penetrationresistance were observed among the other treatments. In the

Table 6. Distribution of mass aggregates (g) by diameter class under water sieving after 8 years of swine manureapplication on a Typic Hapludult soil in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of variation

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X PL1X PL2X CV%

Diameters >4mm0–5 9.27aA 9.73aA 8.96aA 8.69aA 8.04bA 6.805–10 8.92aA 7.57bB 7.51abB 8.48aA 8.64bA 3.1610–15 7.51bB 6.87bBC 6.44bcBC 5.76bC 10.34aA 6.9715–20 6.70bBC 6.39bBC 5.35cC 7.36aB 10.33aA 8.60CV% 5.16 7.15 7.74 7.24 4.74

Diameters 4–2mm0–5 5.42aA 4.90aA 5.53aA 5.50aA 4.91aA 10.155–10 5.53aA 5.46aA 4.77aA 3.67cA 5.20aA 14.2510–15 3.46bA 4.07aA 3.07bA 5.15abA 4.10aA 19.1115–20 3.73abA 2.33bB 2.87bB 4.10bcA 2.28bB 8.26CV% 14.35 12.94 11.47 10.57 14.98

Diameters 2–1mm0–5 4.34aA 3.92abA 4.47aA 4.56aA 4.72aA 6.805–10 4.21aA 4.71aA 4.23abA 4.50aA 3.99bA 7.7610–15 3.65aA 3.82abA 3.69bA 3.75abA 3.42cA 8.7415–20 3.77aA 3.32bAB 3.09cB 3.43bAB 2.94dB 5.71CV% 6.46 10.51 5.33 8.04 4.33

Diameters 1–0.5mm0–5 5.23aA 4.61aA 4.65dA 4.87aA 4.96aA 8.985–10 4.77aA 4.57aA 5.09cA 4.79aA 4.80aA 9.6010–15 6.24aA 5.68aA 5.82bA 5.16aA 4.65aA 12.0515–20 6.26aAB 5.91aAB 6.81aA 5.22aB 5.48aB 7.73CV% 11.24 11.53 2.65 9.37 8.90

Properties of a soil fertilised with pig residues Soil Research I

15–20 cm layer, the lowest value of penetration resistance wasobserved in the control treatment, but this value did not differsignificantly from the values found in the PL1X and PL2Xtreatments (Table 8). No difference in penetration resistance wasfound between the PL2X and control treatments; however, in the5–10 and 10–15 cm layers, the penetration resistance was 34 and20% lower, respectively, in the PL2X treatment than in thecontrol treatment (Table 8). This lower penetration resistancemay have been due to higher TOC and lower BD values in the5–10 cm layer (Table 3) and higher levels of aggregates withdiameter >4mm, higher AMDws, and higher GMDws in the10–20 cm layer (Tables 6 and 7). Celik et al. (2010) evaluatedthe effects of the long-term application of manure, of compostmade of grass and wheat stubble, and of compost inoculated withmycorrhizae and found significantly decreased soil BD and

penetration resistance in treated soils, with the lowestpenetration resistance in the 0–50 cm layer of the soil treatedwith compost inoculated with mycorrhizae.

Despite the improvements in the physical properties and theincreased TOC produced by the addition of PL over 8 years, theapplications of PS and PL resulted in increased soil phosphoruscontents at depths of up to 30 cm (especially of inorganic labileforms extracted by anion exchange resin) and in increased levelsof sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 0.5mol L�1) and compoundswith less binding energy extracted with sodium hydroxide(NaOH 0.1mol L�1). The applications of manure alsoincreased the levels of organic phosphorus extracted byNaOH (0.1mol L�1 of NaOH, 0.5mol L�1 of NaHCO3),which increases the availability of soil phosphorus and thepotential for the contamination of the soil surface and

Table 7. Indices of soil aggregation (mm) after 8 years of application of swine manure on Typic Hapludult soil in Bracodo Norte, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of variation

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X LP1X LP2X CV%

Arithmetic weighted medium air-dried diameter, AMDad0–5 3.26bB 3.62aA 3.29bB 3.32cB 2.98bC 2.065–10 3.84aA 3.54abB 3.65aAB 3.63bB 3.65aAB 1.9410–15 3.48bB 3.45abB 3.21bC 3.98aA 3.57aB 2.0115–20 3.53abBC 3.34bCD 3.21bD 3.84aA 3.69aAB 2.35CV% 3.48 2.37 1.93 1.93 1.51

Geometric medium air-dried diameter, GMDad0–5 2.22cB 2.55abA 2.31bB 2.33cAB 1.93cC 3.565–10 2.93aA 2.58aB 2.75aAB 2.65bB 2.75aAB 2.8210–15 2.47bcB 2.49abB 2.19bC 3.12aA 2.57bB 3.1715–20 2.58bB 2.32bC 2.18bC 2.93aA 2.60bB 3.33CV% 4.81 3.59 3.11 3.06 2.07

Arithmetic weighted medium water-stable diameter, AMDws0–5 2.92aA 2.89aA 2.84aA 2.79aA 2.56bA 5.275–10 2.72aA 2.48abA 2.41bA 2.50bA 2.65abA 4.3510–15 2.28bB 2.21bcB 2.10bcB 2.03cB 2.84aA 7.4015–20 2.15bABC 1.98cBC 1.78cC 2.27bcAB 2.58abA 7.31CV% 4.08 6.88 6.56 4.01 3.56

Geometric medium water-stable diameter, GMDws0–5 1.81aA 1.74aAB 1.65aAB 1.71aAB 1.43aB 6.725–10 1.55aA 1.42bABC 1.24bC 1.34bBC 1.49aAB 4.9710–15 1.16bB 1.20cB 1.07bcB 1.07cB 1.56aA 8.7815–20 1.06bBC 0.91dC 0.93cC 1.16bcAB 1.31aA 5.46CV% 6.66 5.08 6.26 4.74 6.65

Stability indices of aggregates, SIAAMD

0–5 0.89aA 0.80aA 0.87aA 0.84aA 0.86aA 5.265–10 0.71bA 0.70abA 0.66bA 0.69bA 0.73bcA 5.7710–15 0.66bAB 0.64bB 0.65bAB 0.51cB 0.80abA 8.6415–20 0.61bA 0.59bA 0.55bA 0.59bcA 0.70cA 9.15CV% 6.62 7.73 7.77 5.49 4.38

Stability indices of aggregates, SIAGMD

0–5 0.81aA 0.69aA 0.71aA 0.73aA 0.74aA 7.565–10 0.53bA 0.55bA 0.45bA 0.51bA 0.54bA 7.0510–15 0.47bAB 0.48bAB 0.49bAB 0.34cB 0.61abA 11.1515–20 0.41bAB 0.39cB 0.43bAB 0.40cB 0.51bA 7.90CV% 10.88 5.85 7.22 5.66 8.14

J Soil Research J. J. Comin et al.

subsurface (Guardini et al. 2012b). Applying PL also resulted inlower values of maximum adsorption capacity of phosphorus inthe soil layer 20–30 cm, indicating saturation of the adsorptionsites of the particles (Guardini et al. 2012a).

Conclusions

The application of PS did not change the physical properties andthe TOC of the soil, whereas the application of PL increased theTOC and decreased the BD of the soil at depths of up to 10 cm.The application of PL also favoured the formation of aggregateswith diameter >4mm, increasing the rates of aggregation andaggregate stability in the 10–15 and 15–20 cm layers and themacroporosity in the 0–5 and 15–20 cm layers. Additionally, theapplication of PL in larger amounts reduced PR by 34% and20%, respectively, in the 5–10 and 10–15 cm layers.

After 8 years of adding swine manure to plots cultivatedwith black oats and maize managed under NTS, treatmentswith PL improved the physical properties and the TOC of thesoil more than the PS and control treatments.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Social Technologies for Water Management Project (TSGA),the Santa Catarina Research Foundation (FAPESC), and the NationalCouncil for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for theirfinancial support; the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher EducationPersonnel (CAPES) for the doctoral scholarships granted to the fifth andeighth authors; the REUNI for the master’s scholarship granted to the ninthauthor; and the National Council for Scientific and TechnologicalDevelopment (CNPq) for the research productivity scholarships grantedto the seventh and eleventh authors.

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Averages followed by the same lower case letter (in columns) and uppercase letter (in rows) are not significantly different (Tukey,P> 0.05). PS1X, PS2X: Pig slurry, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate, respectively, of nitrogen(N); PL1X, PL2X: pig litter, dose equivalent to recommended rate and twice recommended rate of N. CV, Coefficient of variation

Layer (cm) Control PS1X PS2X PL1X PL2X CV%

0–5 1.12bA 1.44bA 1.63aA 1.13bA 1.96aA 25.455–10 1.71aAB 1.83abAB 1.60aAB 1.85aA 1.13aB 15.5910–15 1.79aAB 1.63abAB 2.04aA 1.84aAB 1.44aB 10.2315–20 1.23bB 1.97aA 2.03aA 1.63abAB 1.52aAB 12.55CV% 7.84 8.16 9.45 12.80 20.60

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