The use of soil for agricultural purposes changes the chemical balance and generally increases nutrient and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) loss. This study assessed the effects of 20 years of no-till and conventional till management systems on the chemical properties of a Typic Haplorthox, using a forest soil as a reference. Soil samples were collected from depths 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm, with six replications. The pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, available phosphorus, exchangeable calcium, magnesium and potassium, total SOC and total nitrogen were measured. The highest concentrations for these variables were found in forest soils. Total mass of SOC calculated in the 0-20 cm layer was also greatest under forest. The no-till soils had higher concentrations of the measured variables than the conventional till soils. Soil management systems that minimize soil disturbance and take into consideration the use of crop residues are the useful alternatives, especially for farms with low investment capacity.