BURNINGS AS AGENTS MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES OF CERRADO SOIL IN VALE FUND REGION

Resumo

The effect of fire on the soil has direct implications on soil attributes, whether from a physical or chemical point of view. The objective of this work is to quantify and understand the physical and chemical changes caused by fire in the cerrado soil (yellow-red latosol). Soil samples were collected at 3 points in the study area, at two depths (5 and 35 cm), before and after the action of fire, to evaluate the physical-chemical parameters. The results indicated that the granulometry was slightly altered in the two conditions of the samples, however, the fire acts by modifying the more granular material in thinner material, causing lower surface permeability of the soil. Regarding soil chemistry attributes, there was an increase in the concentrations of Mg+2, Ca+2 and K+, evidencing the transition of acidic to alkaline pH after the passage of fire to the samples on the soil surface in addition to the reduction of Al+3 (post-burning and vegetation), making the soil less acidic, i.e., the action of fire improves soil fertility conditions.