Physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of Litholic Neosols from different parent materials

Abstract

Litholic Neosols are soils with small development degree with lithic contact within 50 cm, and consequently, highly influenced by the nature of the parent material. The objective of this work was to characterize physically, chemically and mineralogically Litholic Neosols developed on different parent material. The area of study is inserted in the region of Jaboticabal, located in the Northern part of São Paulo State, area of transition between the São Paulo  Occidental Plateau and the Basaltic Cuestas. To identify the areas of occurrence of Litholic Neosols, the region was intensively surveyed, and the following parent rocks were found: basalt, amygdaloidal basalt (Sierra General), tinguaíto (alkaline intrusions) and sandstone (Bauru Group). The soils were morphologically characterized and samples collected for physical, chemical, and mineralogical analysis. The studied soils demand great concerns in terms of land use, due to the small depth and low weathering intensity, with high susceptibility to erosion processes. The soil developed on basalt, presented higher values of the chemical attributes, problably, due to the greater weatherability of this parent rock.