New soil quality indicator revolutionizes agricultural sustainability in Paraná state.
The S-index was studied as a way to measure soil quality in Paraná state. Samples were taken from different soil types and depths, both in forests and cultivated areas. The S-index was found to vary between different soil management practices, with significant differences observed. It was shown to be closely related to bulk density, macroporosity, total porosity, and organic carbon content. This suggests that the S-index can be a useful indicator of soil physical quality in diverse conditions.