The vast majority of studies done on direct application of rock phosphates in Brazil have been performed in soils with pH less than 5.5 and low exchangeable Ca content. Studies under soil conditions different from these are not only rare, but have not been carried out because these soils may be restrictive to dissolution of these sources, depending on the species grown and the geological nature of the phosphate applied. A completely randomized block split-plot experimental design was set up, […]

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 […]

Fertilizers and lime can carry several micronutrients as residual impurities, which can become a source of these elements for crops. This study quantified the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni in fertilizers and lime sold in northeastern Brazil. The effect of these inputs on the indirect micronutrient supply to crops was evaluated. Extracts were obtained from 24 fertilizer and 26 lime samples, using the method 3051A (USEPA) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for elemental analysis. A fertilizer sample (SRM […]

Differences in grain yield were not observed in experiments with paddy rice when comparing soluble phosphates and rock phosphate as phosphorus sources. However, chemical changes in flooded soils such as increases in pH and phosphorus and calcium levels in the soil solution probably decrease the dissolution of rock phosphates in flooded soils. The current work was therefore carried out with the objective of studying the solubilization of phosphate rocks in flooded soils. Two experiments, conducted in a random block design […]

The phosphorus cycle in the soil is controlled by physicochemical processes, such as adsorption and desorption, and by biological processes, such as immobilization and mineralization. This study was carried out to evaluate the seasonal variation of phosphorus in the soil microbial biomass (Pm) as related to rates and timing of soluble phosphate application. The experiment was carried out in May 2002 on an Oxisol under no-till for seven years, in Ibirubá, in the southern Brazil. Five rates of soluble phosphate […]

The concentration of orthophosphate ions released from Fe-K-P compounds (Fe3KH8(PO4)6 .6H2O and Fe3KH14(PO4)8 .4H2O) present in superphosphates increases with pH, which initially suggests that the agronomic effectiveness of P fertilizers containing high amounts of these compounds would also increase with soil pH but studies considering activity, instead of concentration, are necessary. With this purpose, both compounds were synthesized under laboratory conditions, characterized by elemental chemical analysis, optical microscopy, X ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and […]