Liquid swine slurry (LSS) can improve soil quality when applied to agricultural areas. However, when applied indiscriminately, it can cause contamination of soil and water resources. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects on chemical, physical, and water attributes of the soil, resulting from the application of LSS, as well as on water infiltration. In this research, two areas were evaluated, namely: area 1 (treatment 1), where LSS is not applied; and area 2 (treatment 2), with LSS applied to the soil for a period of three years, twice a year. For the physical characterization of the soil, data on moisture, particle density, soil density, and total porosity were analyzed. For the chemical characterization of the soil, analyses were performed for potential hydrogen (pH), organic matter, aluminum hydride (H+Al), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (V%). A double-ring infiltrometer was employed in order to determine water infiltration into the soil. Treatment 2 showed a higher average water infiltration velocity, in addition to higher levels of organic matter, moisture, and K. However, this treatment resulted in a more acidic soil, with a lower pH and a higher value of H+Al when compared to treatment 1. Significant statistical differences were found between the two treatments for pH, H+Al, K, SB, V, Mg, and organic matter. It can be concluded that the application of LSS in the soil contributes to improving soil quality.

Soil physical, chemical and biological quality is under constant change in rural areas, mainly in small farms where family farming prevails. Land use in these properties is maximized to ensure profitability. The aim of the current study is to investigate how different land-use types affect soil compaction in a small farm in Southeastern Paraná State. The herein investigated land-use types comprised forest, pasture, yerba mate cultivation, eucalyptus reforestation, no-till and conventional tillage. Soil density, resistance, porosity and moisture were the analyzed variables. The current findings enabled concluding that pressure deriving from different land uses affected soil compaction. Pasture recorded the highest soil compaction indices, whereas forest recorded the best indices for this variable. On the other hand, different soil management practices did not significantly affect soil density and porosity in agriculture. However, there were significant variations in soil moisture and resistance.

The usage of land on small farms in subtropical regions varies with climatic conditions. Agricultural cultivation typically occurs during the spring and summer (of the southern hemisphere), with tobacco being the primary crop on most small farms. During these seasons, livestock graze in pastures and woodlots. After the tobacco harvest (March), farmers plant winter cover crops, and by May, livestock is moved from the pastures to the agricultural areas. This study aimed to examine how grazing influences soil density, water infiltration rates, and animal behavior across different land types (pasture, native forest, eucalyptus reforestation, and agriculture) during the tobacco-growing season, and the off-season when grazing occurs on agricultural lands. It was found that forage availability and climatic conditions determined grazing duration in pastures and forests, under Integrated Crop–Livestock (ICL) systems. Higher forage volume in the agriculture area reduced grazing time and increased resting periods. Eucalyptus reforestation areas had the best soil conditions due to minimal grazing occurring there. An increase in soil bulk density and a decrease in water infiltration rates were observed at the end of the grazing period in both pasture and woodland areas. Year-round ICL systems appear to enhance soil quality through fallow periods, improving forage availability, soil moisture retention, and water infiltration as well.

O cultivo do tabaco se tornou uma das principais atividades agrícolas das pequenas propriedades na região sudeste do estado do Paraná - Brasil. Na maior parte dessas propriedades o cultivo é realizado com pouca mecanização, favorecendo assim o desenvolvimento do plantio convencional. Esta forma de cultivo é caracterizada pela exposição e revolvimento periódico do solo. O revolvimento da superfície do solo durante o cultivo cria condições adversas na superfície do solo, modificando a dinâmica hidrogeomofológica da superfície. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a influência das atividades agrícolas na rugosidade superficial do solo, ao longo de um ano em uma área de cultivo do tabaco e como essas mudanças podem interferir na retenção de água no solo. Foram utilizadas parcelas com perfis transversais para identificar como as atividades alteram a microtopografia da superfície do solo no período de safra (setembro a fevereiro) e entressafra (março a agosto). Ao término da pesquisa concluímos que as atividades alteram a rugosidade superficial, interferindo na retenção de água no solo. Durante a colheita do tabaco (dezembro a fevereiro) o agricultor deixou de revolver a superfície do solo e as atividades se intensificam, havendo redução da rugosidade superficial. Neste caso, observamos maior escoamento superficial das entrelinhas durante as chuvas.

The use of land on small farms in subtropical regions varies with climatic conditions. Agricultural cultivation typically occurs during the spring and summer (southern hemisphere), with tobacco being the primary crop on most small farms. During these seasons, livestock graze in pastures and forest fragments. After the tobacco harvest (March), farmers plant winter cover crops, and by May, livestock is moved from pastures to agricultural areas. This study aimed to examine how grazing influences soil density and water infiltration rates across different land types (pasture, forest, eucalyptus reforestation, and agriculture) during the tobacco-growing season, and the off-season when grazing occurs on agricultural lands. It was found that forage availability and climatic conditions determined grazing duration in pastures and forests, under integrated crop-livestock (ICL) systems. Higher forage volume reduced grazing time and increased resting periods. Eucalyptus reforestation areas had the best soil conditions due to reduced grazing. Intense off-season grazing increased soil density and reduced water infiltration. Year-round ICL systems appear to enhance soil quality through fallow periods, improving forage availability, soil moisture retention, and water infiltration, as well.