ABSTRACT Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) foster synergistic relationships to increase nitrogen (N) cycling and soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual in agricultural setups. This study evaluated how the grazing intensity and N fertilization (rates and timing) affect both SOC and N fractions, and soil organic matter chemical composition in an ICLS managed under no-tillage in an Oxisol, six years after initiation. The ICLS was compared to a nearby pasture (PA) and a native forest (NF). The treatments consisted of two grazing […]

ABSTRACT Most studies regarding the impacts of agricultural systems on soils of the Amazon region of Brazil have been carried out on upland soil, locally known as terra firme. Information regarding the impacts of different land-use systems on floodplain soil properties is still scarce. There is a need to broaden this knowledge to understand this Amazonian ecosystem better, especially how its soils respond to human interventions. This study aimed to describe the major chemical features of floodplain soils along the […]

Soils under natural conditions have heavy metals in variable concentrations and there may be an increase in these elements as a result of the agricultural practices adopted. Transport of heavy metals in soil mainly occurs in forms dissolved in the soil solution or associated with solid particles, water being their main means of transport. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal and micronutrient content in the soil and in the grapevine plant and […]

In the southern highland (Planalto Sul) region of Santa Catarina, Brazil, most of the pine forests were planted without soil fertilization. Currently, many areas are in the second or third rotation, and their productivity may be limited by low soil fertility. An alternative to mitigate this problem would be fertilization in the established forest. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of fertilization with N, P, and K at different growth stages of Pinus taeda. […]

The common bean crop is of great importance for the State of Goiás, Brazil. However, information on its nutritional requirements is lacking for irrigated conditions. The aim of this study was to establish standard levels of leaf nutrients and assess the nutritional status of irrigated common bean in the Vale do Rio dos Bois region of the State of Goiás through the methods of sufficiency range (SR), compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND), and diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS), as well […]

Water degradation is strongly related to agricultural activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of land use and some environmental components on surface water quality in the Campestre catchment, located in Colombo, state of Parana, Brazil.  Physical and chemical attributes were analyzed (total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, total phosphorus, electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, turbidity, total solids, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen). Monthly samples of the river water were taken over one year at […]

Pastures are the fodder supply of Brazilian livestock, and are exhaustively degraded by nitrogen (N) deficiency. Intercropping with legumes, aside from nitrogen fixation, may have secondary effects on soil fertility, such as acidification or nutrient movement from deeper to the surface soil layers. This study evaluated the soil litter stock and fertility of degraded Brachiaria decumbens pastures after planting leguminous shrubs and forage trees. For this purpose, we sampled (March 2010) degraded Brachiaria decumbens pasture planted in July 2008 in […]

The impact of agro-industrial organic wastes in the environment can be reduced when used in agriculture. From the standpoint of soil fertility, residue applications can increase the organic matter content and provide nutrients for plants. This study evaluated the effect of biological sludge from gelatin industry on the chemical properties of two Ultisols (loamy sand and sandy clay) and an Oxisol (clay). The experiment lasted 120 days and was carried out in laboratory in a completely randomized design with factorial […]

The use of manure in agricultural system is a possibility to dispose of the waste generated in animal production, but improper use can cause environmental problems. The general objective of this study was to evaluate carbon and nitrogen concentrations and losses in runoff in four doses of liquid dairy manure (0, 60, 120, 180 m3 ha-1 yr-1) applied to a silt clay loam Oxisol with 13 % slope, in no-till with soybean, oat, corn, and wheat in crop rotation. The […]

The retention in soil profiles of surface-applied mineral elements is crucial to maintain the water quality and reduce environmental and economic damages. This study evaluated: the mobility of potassium, calcium and magnesium, aluminum and organic matter contents and changes in pH in an Eutroferric Red Latosol under no-tillage, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of percolated water. Mobility was assessed in an undisturbed soil column with preserved structure and treated with mineral (100 kg ha-1) and organic (150 m3 ha-1) […]