Caracterización físico-química del suelo en áreas de producción de cereales, bajo la influencia de diferentes coberturas vegetales, en Santa Fe.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the province of Bolivar, with the parish of Santa Fe standing out for having the largest area dedicated to cereal production, particularly wheat and maize. Despite favorable agroecological conditions, a decline in wheat productivity has been observed in recent years. This reduction is attributed to the physical and chemical degradation of the soil, resulting from anthropogenic activities, decreased vegetation cover, and inadequate agricultural practices. In this context, the objectives of the present study were to: (i) assess the current status of the soil's physicochemical properties, (ii) compare these properties based on the dominant vegetation cover, and (iii) propose a sustainable fertilization plan. A stratified sampling design was applied in areas with a history of continuous wheat cultivation in rotation with maize. At each site, 10 composite subsamples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm. The variables analyzed included: pH (electrometric method), organic matter (volumetric method), texture (Bouyoucos method), nitrogen and phosphorus content (colorimetry), and concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc (atomic absorption spectrophotometry). Data analysis was conducted using generalized and mixed linear models, with mean separation by Fisher’s LSD test (p < 0.05). The results revealed a complex interaction between edaphic factors, vegetation cover type, and agricultural management practices. High nitrogen levels were associated with greater organic matter accumulation, whereas medium to low levels were observed in cereal-producing areas subject to intense anthropogenic activity and tillage. Phosphorus accumulation was detected in 71% of the sampled area, due to the excessive application of phosphate fertilizers. Although the soils are of volcanic origin, potassium levels were found to be imbalanced, attributed to inappropriate management practices. Calcium and magnesium levels ranged from medium to high, although their availability is influenced by chemical form and ionic competition. As for micronutrients, elevated concentrations of zinc, iron, and manganese were detected in areas with high organic matter content. Organic matter was higher in zones with primary natural vegetation and significantly lower in areas degraded by monoculture, residue burning, and stubble removal. Soil pH tended to be neutral in intensively cultivated areas and acidic in zones with dense vegetation cover. Additionally, high soil compaction, low infiltration rates, and elevated surface temperatures were identified in disturbed areas, adversely affecting crop development.

• Autor principal: Bayas Tiñe, Jefferson Jessiel (author)
• Outros Autores: Sánchez Morejón, Luis Fernando (author)
• Formato: bachelorThesis
• Publicado em: 2025
• Assuntos: MACRONUTRIENTES; MICRONUTRIENTES; QUEMA DE RESIDUOS; PASTOS; TRIGO; MAÍZ; PRODUCCIÓN.
• Acesso em linha: https://dspace.ueb.edu.ec/handle/123456789/8536