The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different soil tillage systems and groundcover crops
intercropped with orange trees on soil enzyme activities. The experiment was performed in an Ultisol soil in
northwestern Paraná State. Two soil tillage systems were evaluated [conventional tillage (CT) across the entire
area and strip tillage (ST) with a 2-m strip width] in combination with various groundcover vegetation management
systems. Soil samples were collected after five years of experimental management at a depth of 0-15 cm under the
tree canopy and in the inter-row space in the following treatments: (1) CT-Calopogonium mucunoides; (2) CTArachis
pintoi; (3) CT-Bahiagrass; (4) CT-Brachiaria humidicola; and (5) ST-B. humidicola. The soil tillage
systems and groundcover crops influenced the soil enzyme activities both under the tree canopy and in the inter-row
space. The cultivation of B. humidicola provided higher amylase, arylsulfatase, acid phosphatase and alkaline
phosphatase than other groundcover species. Strip tillage increased enzyme activities compared to the conventional
tillage system.
