Gestión sostenible del suelo en pendientes: Estrategias innovadoras para la conservación y productividad agrícola.

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the influence of ground cover on agricultural conservation and productivity, evaluating its impact on key variables such as temperature, humidity, soil compaction, ground cover, and erosion. Urochloa brizantha grass was used as ground cover and a sprinkler irrigation system was employed to simulate artificial rains for 90 days under drought conditions, comparing plots with and without ground cover. The results showed that cover cropping is an effective technique for maintaining optimal conditions for crops. In the plots with cover, moisture retention was significantly higher (53% - 65%) compared to the plots without cover (43% - 50%), which helped mitigate the effects of drought. Moreover, the cover reduced evaporation and contributed to better thermal regulation, favoring a more stable environment for the plants. Regarding soil structure, the vegetation cover improved porosity, reduced compaction (from 7 cm to 19 cm in auger depth), and promoted water infiltration. Soil loss also decreased, demonstrating the effectiveness of the cover in preventing erosion. In contrast, the plots without cover showed greater surface runoff and lower water retention capacity, which left the soil more vulnerable to erosion. In conclusion, the use of Urochloa brizantha as ground cover is a highly beneficial technique for soil conservation, promoting agricultural productivity and protecting the soil from erosion.