On the soil surface, rainfall modifies the soil surface structure promoting crust development. This study evaluated the dynamics of soil crusting, through description and micromorphological analysis of thin sections in 2009 and 2010. In 15 x 30 m plots, the management systems conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT) were assessed. Within the plots, 1 x 1 m micro-plots were installed to test different levels of simulated rainfall (0, 27, 54, and 80 mm) at an intensity of 80 mm h-1. From these micro-plots, an undisturbed sample (soil block of 0.07 x 0.05 x 0.12 m) was taken. The blocks were resin-impregnated and after hardening and drying, thin sections (4.5 x 8 cm) were prepared and described using optical microscopy. One thin section was prepared per rainfall level and soil tillage system. Crusts were formed in all tillage systems, however, the process of crust formation was different in each system. Under conventional tillage, crusting was observed after 27 mm rain. A higher rain level increased the degradation of the surface structure and thickness of the crust layer. Under reduced tillage and no-tillage the surface conditions were irregular after the applied rainfall, i.e., the changes in the soil surface and in crust formation were not constant with increasing rain levels, unlike under conventional tillage. The analysis of thin sections and micromorphological description allowed satisfactory conclusions on the processes and dynamics involved in crust formation.
crusting; micromorphology; thin sections; conventional tillage; conservation tillage systems
