Resistance of soil to penetration as a parameter indicator of subsolation in crop areas of sugar cane

Abstract

Sugarcane is a very important economic crop that relies heavily on agricultural machinery, which contributes to soil compaction and a consequent decline in productivity. Subsoiling operation reduces the problems caused by compression; however, it is necessary to know its location and intensity. Accordingly, the aim of this work is to present a compression diagnostic method based on soil resistance to penetration as the parameter that indicates need for intervention in the subsoil. Measurements of penetration resistance was carried out in areas of sugarcane, located in the municipalities of Goianésia, Barro Alto and Santa Isabel, in the Brazilian state of Goiás. The Falker penetrometer (PLG 1020) was used, adjusted to a maximum depth of 40 cm and adopted as a critical resistance value of 4.0 MPa. The data were interpolated using kriging and adjusted in AutoCAD 2013 (Autodesk). The methodology proved effective in areas of compacted soil, and the surface layer had less resistance. The reduction in soil preparation was 96.54% and when considering the topographic adjustments, the reduction was 74.07%, showing the viability and importance of the diagnosis to show the proper management.