ABSTRACT Guava response to fertilization can be monitored through plant tissue analysis. Correct interpretation of these results, based on standard levels, is of great importance for correct nutrient management of the crop. However, standard levels are constantly criticized for not considering interactions among elements. To improve the nutritional diagnosis of ‘Paluma’ guava (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae), an experiment was conducted using nitrogen fertilization (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg per plant per cycle of N, with urea as a source […]

ABSTRACT The literature on fertilization for carrot growing usually recommends nutrient application rates for yield expectations lower than the yields currently obtained. Moreover, the recommendation only considers the results of soil chemical analysis and does not include effects such as crop residues or variations in yield levels. The aim of this study was to propose a fertilizer recommendation system for carrot cultivation (FERTICALC Carrot) which includes consideration of the nutrient supply by crop residues, variation in intended yield, soil chemical […]

Unbalanced amounts of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ in soils as a consequence of high gypsum applications can be due to the relationship in size (ionic radius) and charge density (charge/ionic radius) of each ionic species. The higher the ionic strength, the stronger is the bonding of these cations with the opposite charge ions such as OH–, SO4-2. Thus, excessive gypsum applications, disregarding the charge balance of the soil colloidal system, the ionic balance of the solution, and the CEC, can […]

Nutrient balance in tropical forest allows an evaluation of eventual differences due to management practices and conclusions on forest sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrient concentration in native species and quantify biomass production and C and nutrient balance in tropical montane Atlantic Forest fragments (Dense Montane Ombrophile Forest) in the North of Rio de Janeiro State, from May 1999 to April 2001. Two sites were selected in the State Park of Desengano, at 900 and […]

Fertilizer recommendations for banana plantations should be technically sound and, mainly, more adjustable on a scientific base than the usual recommendation tables. A system was developed to estimate recommendable nutrient doses for banana (FERTICALC®-Bananeira), by means of modeling nutrient balance. This nutrient balance is obtained by the difference between the crop nutrient demand and supply through soil and plant residues. When the demand is higher than the supply, fertilizer application is recommended; when it is lower or equal to the […]