Produção Científica // Artigos

Soil quality is defined as the measure of its capacity to perform vital ecological
functions for agricultural development. With the expansion of cultivated areas and even their
exposure to long periods without plant presence, issues such as erosion and soil nutrient
depletion can arise. Therefore, practices like crop rotation or the incorporation of green manures
have gained traction in soil preparation for large-scale cultivation. The common bean plant, being
a member of the legume family, possesses such capabilities, being a potential nitrogen fixer and
contributing to soil maintenance. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effects of cultivating
common beans in fallow areas with sugarcane straw and fomesafen application. The experiment
was conducted in an area with Eutrophic-Dystrophic Red Latosol. The experimental design was
a randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial system, with four replicates, considering leaves
straw presence (0, 1, 5, and 10 t ha-1) and two types of herbicide application (with and without
application), totaling 8 experimental treatments and 32 plots. Soil chemistry, soil enzymatic
activity, leaf area, plant dry matter, and productivity were evaluated. Higher straw quantities in
the system improved soil enzymatic activity dynamics and soil chemistry. Plant development was
correlated with higher soil enzymatic activity. Thus, it is concluded that in fallow areas: 1) the
straw enhances soil quality and common bean productivity; 2) The herbicide (fomesafen)
application has no impact on soil dynamics; 3) chemical, physical, and biological soil variables
show worse conditions in treatments without straw, regardless of herbicide application; 4)
enzymatic activity (?-glucosidase) is higher in the interaction between straw and plants,
responding better to soil dynamics compared to physical and chemical variables, resulting in
higher common bean productivity. It is recommended to maintain or increase straw coverage to
improve soil quality and common bean productivity, with the safe use of the herbicide fomesafen,
as it does not negatively affect soil dynamics