Soil penetration resistance is an important indicator of soil physical quality and the critical limit of 2 MPa has been widely used to characterize the soil physical quality, in both no-tillage and conventional systems. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of different tillage and cropping systems on the soil penetration resistance in a Rhodic Eutrudox. The experiment was carried out in a 5 × 2 factorial, completely randomized block design (tillage systems vs cropping systems), with […]

Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR) integrates soil physical properties related to crop growth and corresponds to the interval between the upper and lower limits of water content in the soil within which limitations to root growth are minimal. In agricultural areas, soil management can lead to changes in its structure, mainly due to compaction and, subsequently, bulk density can reach values outside the limits in which conditions are ideal for plant growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to […]

In order to select soil management practices that increase the nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) in agro-ecosystems, the different indices of agronomic fertilizer efficiency must be evaluated under varied weather conditions. This study assessed the NUE indices in no-till corn in southern Paraguay. Nitrogen fertilizer rates from 0 to 180 kg ha-1 were applied in a single application at corn sowing and the crop response investigated in two growing seasons (2010 and 2011). The experimental design was a randomized block with three […]

The least limiting water range (LLWR) has been widely used as an agronomic indicator of soil physical quality, however only a few studies have linked the LLWR to the plants growth and yield. The scarce results are insufficient to confirm or rebut the efficiency of LLWR, but indicate a discrepancy between LLWR and crop yields. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation of LLWR with variables of growth and grain yield of corn (Zea mays L.) in […]

The no-tillage (NT) management is widely used in the Cerrado region, but some questions remain unanswered, for example about the need of liming and adequate nitrogen rates for commercial crops when preceded by cover crops. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of precedent cover crops on the maize demand for nitrogen fertilization and forms of liming preceding the adoption of no-tillage management (NT) in different growing seasons. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block factorial design 5 x […]

In areas of intensive pig production, pig slurry is used as an important nitrogen (N) source of crops, but is also a major cause of soil, air and water pollution. Strategies are required to reduce N losses from this organic material to the environment and to improve the agronomic efficiency as plant N source. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of a nitrification inhibitor (NI) and the split application of pig slurry (PS) […]

The effect of soil compaction on plant growth is widely used as orientation for soil management. Although the limiting water range (LLWR) underlies the systematization of the relationship between compaction and physical factors directly related to plant growth, its efficiency to predict biological responses, especially of grain yield, has not yet been proven. Results of research at the cellular level indicate that the water and mechanical stress levels that occur in the roots during soil drying are partially represented by […]

Studies about reduced tillage in soil cultivated with roots and tubers are rare and controversial. Thus, this study assessed the impact of tillage systems on physical properties of an Alfissol and on the growth of sweet potato tubers. To evaluate the soil physical properties, an experiment was conducted in a randomized block, split-plot design. The plots consisted of the treatments conventional tillage with mounds and reduced tillage with straw on the soil surface and the subplots of two sampling periods: […]

The use of cover crops in autumn/winter, in the Planalto region of Rio Grande do Sul, contributes to the success of the no-tillage system. However, information about the biomass production and decomposition of such species in the region is still scarce, especially for cover crop species in consortium. The experiment was conducted in Não-Me-Toque, RS, on an Oxisol, evaluating nine treatments of four cover crops in monoculture [rye (Secale cereale L.), oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense), […]

Successive applications of liquid swine waste to the soil can increase the contents of total organic carbon and nutrients and change acidity-related soil chemical properties. However, little information is available on the effects of swine waste application in solid form, as of swine deep-litter. The objective of this study was to evaluate alterations of organic carbon and acidity-related properties of a soil after eight years of pig slurry and deep-litter application. In the eighth year of a field experiment established […]