Multivariate analysis of physico-chemical data of soil cultivated with cactus pear varieties intercropped with legumes in Brazilian semi-arid region

In semiarid regions, water availability is a limiting factor for agriculture, demanding the adoption of efficient strategies to make the most of this resource. The use of treated wastewater from domestic sewage represents a viable alternative, as long as appropriate precautions are taken. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of treated domestic effluent on soil fertility when cultivating forage palm and legumes. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks (DBC), with the main plots consisting of palm varieties and the secondary plots involving different legume intercropping systems. The soils were evaluated at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. The assessed soil attributes included particle size distribution, soil density, pH, electrical conductivity (CE), salinity, sodicity, and primary macronutrients. The experimental design used was randomized complete blocks (DBC) with 4 replications. The factorial design used in research was 3 x 3 x 2, represented by the three varieties of forage palms, three types of consortia, and two depths. Reduction in K+ contents after irrigation indicates losses through leaching and/or uptake by crops. The strong correlation between Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ with silt and salinity confirms the role of primary minerals and precipitation reactions in the availability of these elements.