Effects on soil and stump of mechanized activities in sugar cane cultivation.

The objective of the present work, was to determine the main effects on the soil and in the sugar cane stumps, of mechanized activities in the plantations. It was carried out in the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) Máximo Gómez, belonging to the municipality of Camajuaní, Villa Clara. To carry out the research, a characterization of the study area was made; the variations of the furrow profile were determined; resistance to penetration and soil moisture in the root zone and in the street, also damage to the cane strain was identified. The main results showed agglomerations of residues from the previous harvest and clean spaces without stumps and new sprout. The resistance to soil penetration showed values of 0.8 and 1.2 kPa on surface of the street and the area of the stumps respectively, increasing with the depth of the soil up to 30 cm. Soil moisture in the stumps was higher than in the street up to 25 cm deep, with values of 28.6 and 30% respectively on the surface. For its part, the profile of the furrows showed a considerable variability in regarding the geometry and height of the ridges. Limitations were found in terms of the depth of the main roots, their vitality and quantity, the secondary or capillary roots showed low development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]