AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS AS CONDITIONERS OF PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL QUALITY OF THE SOIL

The study of transformations that occur in the soil, resulting from the use and management adopted, is very important in the choice of the most suitable system to recover the soil functions. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of agroforestry systems (AFS´s) management, in different successional stages, on soil physical quality in south of São Paulo state (Brazil). The work was conducted under an Ultisol (Arenic Dystrudult). It was evaluated the fowling physical soil attributes: density, porosity, flocculation index and soil aggregate stability. The experiment was conducted in factorial scheme, and graded on type of use/management (AFS 12 years; AFS 2.5 years; AFS 1 year and native forest) as well as depth (0-0.10; 0.10-0.20; 0.20-0.40 m). The results showed that over time, consolidated agroforestry systems provide less impactful alternatives and can assist in reversing the degradation processes, increasing soil porosity under these systems and reduce soil density, greater stability of aggregates and smaller thermal variations of soil. Therefore, consolidated agroforestry systems (12 years) promote a resilience of the soil structure and should be included in the production system, especially in regions of environmental preservation.