Soil Physical–Hydraulic Properties in Different Rotational Silvopastoral Systems: A Short-Term Study

Livestock production systems can negatively affect soil structure, resulting in negative changes in physical–hydraulic properties, compromising soil functioning and productivity. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of rotational silvopastoral systems on soil physical–hydraulic functioning in their second year of implementation. The study was performed under Oxisol soil with a loamy sand texture in Southeast Brazil. We considered four grazing systems: an intensive silvopastoral system with Panicum maximum in consortium with Leucaena leucocephala (ISPS + L), an intensive silvopastoral system with Panicum maximum in consortium with Tithonia diversifolia (ISPS + T), an silvopastoral system with Panicum maximum (SPS) with tree row (TRs), and open pasture under a rotational grazing system with Panicum maximum (OP). The treatments ISPS + L, ISPS + T, and SPS had tree rows (TRs) every 20 m composed of Khaya ivorenses, Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus urograndis, Acacia mangium, and Gliricidia sepium. Nine physical–hydraulic indicators were evaluated in the first 0.40 m of depth: bulk density (Bd), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MaP), microporosity (MiP), field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), available water content (AWC), total soil aeration capacity (ACt), and S-index. The soil physical–hydraulic properties were sensitive to the effects of the livestock systems. The use of silvopastoral systems in consortium with grass (ISPS + L and ISPS + T) allowed for better soil water retention, resulting in higher FC and AWC than the OP, SPS, and TR. The indicators Bd, ACt, MaP, FC, MiP, and S-index presented the greatest variance; however, FC, ACt, MaP, and MiP enabled the greatest differentiation among systems. Therefore, these properties are important in studies on soil physical quality since they provide information about the soil porous status and its ability to retain water and exchange soil air and gases. Therefore, enhancing the physical–hydraulic attributes of the soil in silvopastoral systems with shrub species is crucial for ensuring long-term productive sustainability and strengthening environmental resilience against future climate challenges.