In Brazil, no-tillage is the most widely used soil conservation system (on more than 32 million hectares). However, intensification of the mechanisation of agricultural operations with larger and heavier machines increases the pressure on the soil, which, together with the reduced diversity of crops, results in compaction and physical degradation of soils under no-tillage systems. In this context, strategies to reduce soil compaction have been employed and the use of Braquiaria grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) (hereafter urochloa) as a cover plant is one promising strategy. The objectives of this study were to quantify, using physical indicators of capacity and intensity processes, the effects of cultivating urochloa sown in the interrow between corn (Zea mays L.) on storage and transmission of air and water in the surface layer of the soil and to evaluate the sensitivity of these indicators at detecting such effects. The results indicated that urochloa cultivation in the interrow produced an increase in storage capacity of air and water, and transmission of air and water, compared with the treatment in which the interrow was without urochloa. Cultivation of urochloa also alleviated compaction through an 18% reduction in soil bulk density and an increase of up to 490% in pore system continuity, in addition to improving the relationship between water and air storage, creating an environment that facilitates access to water and air. These results suggest that the use of urochloa as an interrow cover plant in corn improves the physical functions of the topsoil, producing a physical environment more favourable to development of crops. The use of intensity process indicators of physical properties was ~10 times more sensitive at detecting the effects of urochloa than the properties indicating capacity processes.

中文翻译：

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通过容量和强度指标检测近地表 Urochloa ruziziensis（Braquiaria 草）对土壤物理质量的影响

在巴西，免耕是使用最广泛的土壤保持系统（超过 3200 万公顷）。然而，使用更大更重的机器加强农业作业的机械化增加了对土壤的压力，这与作物多样性的减少一起导致免耕系统下土壤的压实和物理退化。在这种情况下，已经采用了减少土壤压实的策略，并且使用 Braquiaria 草（Urochloa ruziziensis）（以下简称 urochloa）作为覆盖植物是一种很有前景的策略。本研究的目的是使用容量和强度过程的物理指标量化在玉米（Zea mays L. ) 空气和水在土壤表层的储存和传输，并评估这些指标在检测此类影响时的敏感性。结果表明，与间行不种植尿绿的处理相比，在间行中种植尿绿可增加空气和水的储存能力，以及空气和水的传输。除了改善水和空气储存之间的关系，还通过土壤容重降低 18% 和孔隙系统连续性增加高达 490% 来缓解压实，创造了一个有利于获得水和空气的环境. 这些结果表明，使用 urochloa 作为玉米中的行间覆盖植物可以改善表土的物理功能，创造更利于作物生长的物理环境。使用物理特性的强度过程指标在检测尿绿藻的影响方面比指示容量过程的特性敏感约 10 倍。