Based on field observations it is often impossible to detect differences in soil B contents after the application of B fertilizers, even when increased leaf B contents are detected. This has raised doubts as to the efficacy of the B extractor used in routine soil B determinations. An experiment was conducted to study B extraction and availability to soybean in an Oxisol in the state of Mato Grosso. Boron (as boric acid) doses ranging from 0.0 to 10.0 kg ha-1 […]

Surface lime application to an acid soil under no-till system and normal rainfall conditions increases yield and crop root growth near the soil surface, but the effects of lime sources like flue dust, sewage sludge and aqueous lime have not been fully investigated . The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of surface application of different lime sources on soil chemical attributes of a clayey, dystrophic Oxisol and black oat root growth and yield under a no-till system. Evaluations were […]

In the humid tropics the buildup and maintenance of soil fertility are major challenges in terms of sustainability of agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate an alley cropping system with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) on an Alfisol, with annual application of lime and potassium, with special concern regarding the viability of this system as an alternative to slash and burn practiced in tropical agriculture. Pigeon pea and maize (Zea mays) were planted in the experiment with the […]

Soil acidity in no-tillage systems can be amended by surface liming. This practice is favored by plant residues on the soil surface, which release water-soluble organic compounds that vary among plant species. The experiment was conducted on a Typic Hapludox (V = 41 %) in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of surface liming on the concentration of soluble cations in millet, common bean and black-oat crop residues in two growing seasons (2002/03 and 2003/04). For common […]

Despite the chemical differences in soils under the fertilizer bands and inter-rows in orange orchards, no criterion to determine the need of liming in the two areas is yet known. The objective of this study was to quantify the temporary chemical alterations in fertilizer bands and inter-rows of a “Pêra” orange orchard as well as nutrition and fruit yield after surface liming, in a Typic Paleudults, in northwestern Paraná, Brazil. The soil surface was limed four times between 1996 and […]

The determination of the non-reacted lime fraction in the soil (“residual lime”) after initial surface application of lime without incorporation in no-tillage systems can be important to determine when lime reapplication is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate: the exchangeable Ca and Mg contents, extracted by percolation with a KCl solution or ion exchange resin; the quantity of applied lime that had not reacted in the soil, determined based on the non-exchangeable Ca and Mg contents; and […]

There is interest to establish the no-tillage system in areas cultivated previously with conventional tillage or pasture, with surface liming after system establishment. This practice is possible provided that there are no physical obstacles for root growth. Phosphogypsum is an alternative to decrease Al3+ and increase base saturation (BS), mainly Ca2+, in the subsoil, and can be used complementary to liming. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in chemical soil attributes (pH CaCl2, H + Al, Al3+, Ca2+, […]

Nutrition and crop yield can be affected by chemical modifications of the soil owing to lime and phosphogypsum surface application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of surface application of lime and phosphogypsum, at the establishment of a no-tillage system, on nutrition and grain yield of black oat, in a dry-winter region, in area previously used with conventional tillage. The experiment was carried out in 2003 and 2004, on a Haplorthox in Botucatu County, São Paulo […]

The efficiency of subsurface acidity alleviation by surface liming in the presence of crop residues is controversial and more information is needed. The objective of this study was to quantify the contribution of cover crop residues, regarding their contents of low molar mass organic acids and soluble nutrients to mobilization in the soil profile of the reaction products of surface-applied lime. Two experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions using 30 cm high PVC cylinders filled with acid and clayey […]

Surface liming efficiency can be increased through water-soluble organic compounds released by plant residues. However, it is unknown if the contents of these compounds in crop residues can be modified by lime and phosphogypsum surface applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of lime and phosphogypsum surface applications on the content of water-soluble cations in crop residues of rice, common bean and black oat. The experiment was carried out on a Haplorthox located in Botucatu County, São […]