Swine manure is a good nutrient source, but may have a negative impact on the environment when inadequately used. The aim of this work was to evaluate changes in properties of soils under no-till grain production and long-term swine manure fertilization. Soil samples from three representative soils types (Oxisol, Inceptisol and Leptosol) from Western Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, were collected under no-tillage cultivation and surface application of swine manure for about 15 years and over 20 years. Samples from areas treated with mineral fertilizer and unfertilized controls (under forest vegetation) were also collected from seven soil layers (0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, 40-50, 70-80, and 100-110 cm) to evaluate soil organic matter content and available P, K, Cu, and Zn. Long-term swine manure application caused nutrient accumulation (P, K, Cu and Zn) in the top soil layer, mainly in the top 5 cm of soil. Soil organic matter was not affected by manure application. In general, the annual manure applications did not affect the chemical properties of the subsoil. In Leptosol and Inceptisol, however, increased P concentrations were found in the 40-50 cm and 70-80 cm soil layers, indicating a greater potential for P loss in these soils. Exchangeable Zn and Cu was accumulated mainly in the top 10 cm of the Oxisol and in the top 20 cm of the Inceptisol and Leptosol. The accumulation of nutrients in the top soil layer (0-5 cm) indicated a greater potential for nutrient loss than in soils treated with conventional mineral fertilizer.
organic fertilization; macronutrients; Cu; Zn; mobility; soil layers
