Spatial Distribution of Soil Structural Stability Under Different Management and Use Systems in La Molina, Perú

Vergaray Ormeño C.E.; Ticona Cortavitarte B.R.; Mestanza Novoa C.J. · Applied and Environmental Soil Science (2026) · DOI: 10.1155/aess/9885352

Resumen

Soil degradation poses a threat to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Intensive use, mechanical disturbances, and inappropriate practices deteriorate soil structure, reducing its water retention capacity, resistance to erosion, and support for plant growth. A key indicator of this physical degradation is structural stability, assessed using the dispersion ratio (DR), which reflects the soil’s resistance to disintegration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the spatial distribution of soil structural stability, as well as the influence of management practices, in three land use systems (conventional, organic, and fruit) in La Molina, Lima, Peru. In an area of 120,000 m2, 100 georeferenced points (0–20 cm deep) were sampled, analyzing particle size distribution, bulk density (BD), and DR. Spatial variability was characterized using geostatistical interpolation (kriging), generating gradient maps. Differences between systems were evaluated using the Games–Howell test, which is suitable for nonhomogeneous variances. The results showed sandy loam texture in all fields and significant differences in DR, with marked spatial dependence. Spatial trend analysis revealed a deterministic component, justifying the use of universal kriging (UK). The spherical (Sph) semivariogram model was the best fit. Cross-validation (ME = −0.067; RMSEep = 7.13; MSDR = 1.3) indicated accurate and unbiased predictions. Soils under fruit crop fields exhibited greater structural stability, whereas soils under organic and conventional management systems showed medium to low aggregate stability. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between BD and DR, suggesting that BD is not a good indicator of aggregate formation. Spatial positioning and agricultural management significantly influence soil structural stability, with less intensive practices favoring its conservation. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina