Carbon storage in soil and aggregates of Inceptisols under different land use management systems in southern Amazonas

Abstract

Land use and management systems are factors that can influence carbon stock and its aggregate stability. This study assessed the carbon stock and aggregate stability of Inceptisols under different land use and management systems. The study was conducted on five properties located in the southern region of Amazonas state. Five areas were selected with different traditional land use systems (agroforestry, cassava, sugarcane, pasture and native forest). On each site, grids of 50 m x 50 m, with regular spacing of 10 by 10 meters were outlined for a sampling of 36 points in each mesh at a depth 0.00-0.10 m. We determined the bulk density, aggregate stability, total organic carbon and carbon stock. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. We found that the highest values of carbon stocks were found in areas under sugar cane and pasture, followed by the areas under cassava, agroforestry and native forest. Carbon stocks and aggregate stability were significantly altered by land use management systems.