Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry applied to the prediction of chemical attributes in Inceptisols under different land uses

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry has been increasingly adopted for varying studies worldwide. This work aimed at characterizing effects of soil management on the content of chemical elements detected by pXRF in managed and unmanaged areas of Inceptisols, and evaluating the potential of using pXRF data to generate prediction models for soil fertility attributes, evaluating the effect of land uses on such models. Samples were collected in A, B, and C horizons of soils under native forest, native Cerrado, coffee crops with 1 and 5 years of implantation and eucalyptus. Soil fertility attributes were determined through laboratory analyses, whereas, elemental contents were obtained through pXRF analysis. PXRF data were used for modeling (regressions) and validation of soil fertility attributes and necessity of lime (NL) application, with or without distinction between managed and unmanaged areas. Management practices on coffee crops increased the levels of Sr, CaO, P2O5, Cu, and Zn. CaO content was efficient for prediction of exchangeable Ca2+ contents (R-2 = 0.91), pH (R-2 = 0.88), base saturation (R-2 = 0.89) in managed areas. General models presented adequate results to predict exchangeable Ca2+ (R-2 = 0.92), pH (R-2 = 0.85), and base saturation (R-2 = 0.90). Models for unmanaged areas were less effective. PXRF detected modifications in elemental contents caused by management practices and provided reliable predictions of soil fertility attributes.