In the search for high efficiency in root studies, computational systems have been developed to analyze digital images. ImageJ and Safira are public-domain systems that may be used for image analysis of washed roots. However, differences in root properties measured using ImageJ and Safira are supposed. This study compared values of root length and surface area obtained with public-domain systems with values obtained by a reference method. Root samples were collected in a banana plantation in an area of a […]

Selection of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars with enhanced root growth would be a strategy for increasing P uptake and grain yield in tropical soils, but the strong plasticity of root traits may compromise their inclusion in breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the genotypic variability of root traits in common bean plants at two ontogenetic stages and two soil P levels. Twenty-four common bean genotypes, comprising the four growth habits that […]

The cultivation of sugarcane with intensive use of machinery, especially for harvest, induces soil compaction, affecting the crop development. The control of agricultural traffic is an alternative of management in the sector, with a view to preserve the soil physical quality, resulting in increased sugarcane root growth, productivity and technological quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of an Oxisol with and without control traffic and the resulting effects on sugarcane root development, productivity and […]

The Restinga vegetation consists of a mosaic of plant communities, which are defined by the characteristics of the substrates, resulting from the type and age of the depositional processes. This mosaic complex of vegetation types comprises restinga forest in advanced (high restinga) and medium regeneration stages (low restinga), each with particular differentiating vegetation characteristics. The climate along the coast is tropical (Köppen). Of all ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest, Restinga is the most fragile and susceptible to anthropic disturbances. Plants […]

The maintenance of a good soil physical quality is essential to preserve the environment and maximize crop yields. A compacted soil can affect soil density, porosity and penetration resistance, influencing root growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of an Oxisol, clay texture, with the soybean cultivar CAC-1, at four compaction and three irrigation levels, using the soil physical properties, as well as the relationship of root system with the crop yield. The experiment had […]

Crop residues on the soil surface act mainly as protection against raindrop impact, reducing aggregate disruption, runoff, sediment transport and consequently, erosion. This protection can have significant effects on the corn plant characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the amount of black oat residues on no-tillage root development, nutrient uptake and grain yield of corn genotypes. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol, in a randomized block design in split plots with three replications. […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate, under field conditions, in Colina-SP, Brazil, the response of two corn cultivars to six soil compaction levels of an Oxisol regarding the root system development, and to characterize soil compaction by the least limiting water range (LLWR). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with strip plots and four replications. The corn hybrids DKB 390 and DAS 2B710 were used. After corn sowing, undisturbed soil samples were collected to determine physical […]

Agricultural soils under no tillage systems are affected by soil compaction caused by machinery traffic, which can restrict root growth and reduce crop yields. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different compaction levels on the physical quality of a Red Latosol (Oxisol), sandy-loam, in the Jaboticabal county, São Paulo state, Brazil, under corn, using multivariate analysis. The experimental design was completely randomized with six compaction levels and four repetitions. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in […]

Two field experiments were carried out in Porto Feliz, SP, Brazil, to test the hypothesis that in soils with low clay content, sugarcane genotype RB83 5486 has a better root system distribution than genotype RB83-5089. The two soils used were classified as Typic Kandiudalf and Typic Hapludox. Between the third and fifth ratoon (2002 to 2004), the development of the sugarcane genotypes RB83-5486 and RB83-5089 was evaluated by determining the chemical and physical soil attributes, crop nutritional status, root distribution in […]

The effects of superficial lime application on chemical soil characteristics in no-tillage systems and its influence on root growth and mineral nutrition in maize crops has not been thoroughly investigated yet. To evaluate these effects on maize (hybrid AG 9090) and its reflexes on the grain yield performance under no-tillage, a field trial was carried out on a dystrophic Red Latosol (Hapludox) in Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil. A completely randomized block design with three replications was used in […]