Soil Organic Matter and Grain Yield of Rainfed Maize in Luvisols of Campeche, México

Abstract

The organic matter is an important soil component, due its favorable effects on soil physical and chemical properties and, by consequence, on crop yields. So, the objective of this work was quantify the changes through the time of soil organic matter in rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) system, in a period of 30 years of continuous crop and in relation to system of natural vegetation system, and also the effects of these changes on the crop yield, in Luvisols soils of State of Campeche, México. In production cycle of 2004, 53 farmer plots in rainfed maize system of different land use time and five sites of forest natural vegetation system were sampled for soil, to quantify physical and chemical properties of soil, and it was taken data about climate, system management and crop yield.