Abstract

In order to evaluate the water and soils conservation practices effect on the physical, chemical and hydrological soil properties, and its relationship to the growth and survival of seedlings planted in agroforestry systems in the dryland zone of the Coquimbo region, experimental plantations were studied under these practices and without soil treatments as a control. Plant responses in height (cm) and diameter (mm) growth, and survival average, were evaluated in 3 months periods during 17 months and soil physical, chemical and hydric properties were registered. The conservation practices showed a significative effect on the mentioned variables and also on the soil properties, reducing the apparent density, independently of soil depth, and improving the hydrological parameters related to water retention capacity and plants survival.