ABSTRACT The “campos” of the Pampa are unique Brazilian ecosystems, which provide key environmental services, including C storage. These grassy ecosystems have been rapidly converted to intensive land-uses, mainly intensive grain crops (soybeans) and Eucalyptus silviculture. These new land-uses could decrease soil C stocks, depending on soil management. This study aimed to assess soil organic carbon (SOC) changes after the conversion of native grasslands to cropland (soybeans/cover crops under no-tillage) and forestry (Eucalyptus). Eight representative sites in this biome were […]

ABSTRACT Afforestation of sites disturbed after bauxite mining is the favorite technique to restore all ecosystem functions. The nature of the tree species used for revegetation of post-mining land can accelerate the recovery of soil organic matter and nutrient cycles. This study aimed to determine the litterfall production, decomposition rate and nutrient content from three types of forest cover ( Eucalyptus , Anadenanthera peregrina , mixed plantation of 16 native species) planted in a bauxite mining area in recovery. Litterfall […]

Assessing the quality of agricultural soils is important for defining and adopting management practices that ensure socioeconomic and environmental sustainability. The methods for indexation of quality indicators called the Integrated Quality Index (IQI) and the Nemoro Quality Index (NQI) were used in this study to evaluate soil quality in experimental plots planted to eucalyptus. The selection of these indicators was made based on nine soil quality indicators: geometric mean diameter, water permeability, organic matter, macro- and microporosity, total porosity, bulk […]

In tropical regions, the damage caused to soil by rainwater, i.e., soil erosion, is the most significant form of soil degradation. In Brazil, eucalyptus plantations are mainly located in ecosystems sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances for reasons such as the occurrence of plantations in soils with low clay contents, soils with low natural fertility, and most plantations being established on areas previously occupied by agriculture or by degraded pastures. Thus, the need arises for understanding the processes that control water erosion […]

Phosphorus fertilization is important for the initial growth of eucalyptus. Soluble phosphate (SP) sources are commonly used for this purpose because they offer fast dissolution in the soil, but these sources have higher costs than rock phosphate (RP), which has lower solubility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of RP as a partial substitute for SP for the initial supply of P to Eucalyptus benthamii and E. dunnii. Two field experiments were carried out (one with […]

Pasture-agroforestry systems have become an important strategy for the use of sandy soils in the Pampa Biome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the aggregation, total organic C (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), carbon of the physical fractions and humification degree of organic matter (OM). Evaluations were conducted in an Alfisol under homogenous eucalyptus forest (HF), between the rows of a pasture-agroforestry system (PA) and in native pasture (NP) in the layers 0.000-0.025, 0.025-0.075, 0.075-0.125, and 0.125-0.225 m. […]

Adequate nutrient levels in plants vary according to the species or clone, age and management practice. Therefore, adjustments of the nutrient solution are often necessary according to the plant material for multiplication. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of NPK fertilization on production and leaf nutrient contents of eucalyptus cuttings in nutrient solution. The study was conducted from November 2008 to January 2009 in a greenhouse. The experimental design was completely randomized fractional factorial (4 x 4 x 4)1/2, […]

In Brazil, along with the intensification of clonal forestry, the management of more productive and more nutrient-demanding genotypes has led to the appearance of micronutrient deficiency symptoms, mainly of Boron, and more recently, of Copper (Cu) and Zinc, especially in Cerrado areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three extractant solutions to determine Cu availability (Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA pH 7.3) for eucalyptus seedlings grown under greenhouse conditions in six Cerrado soil samples and to assess the influence of […]

The adventitious rooting of cuttings is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors of the plant material. The knowledge about the action mode of these factors upon rooting is fundamental for the successful production of clonal seedlings through minicuttings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of association between the nutritional state of ministumps with the rooting of eucalypt minicuttings, grown in a clonal minigarden in tubes with subirrigation. Data from minicutting rooting and nutrient contents quantified by […]

Native forests have frequently been substituted by Eucalyptus or annual crops cultivation in Brazil. In southern Minas Gerais State the substitution of Araucaria angustifolia forests by agricultural systems or extensive Eucalyptus stands has also been observed. However, few studies are focused on the impacts of such land use changes on soil physical, chemical and microbial and visual aspect of soils. With this goal in mind, different ecosystems were selected, including introduced Eucalyptus and Araucaria and native forest and pasture in […]