In rice cultivated under flooded conditions, the anaerobic condition favors the formation of NH4+ in the soil, and is therefore considered the main available N source for this crop. However, the process of O2 transport through the aerenchyma and its release by roots, create a favorable environment for nitrification in the plant rizosphere. Nitrification intensity determines the proportions between available NH4+ and NO3– . In this case, it is believed that the presence of NO3– can favor rice growth and […]

Chiseling and cover crops can be used in the management of orchards with the purpose of improving soil physical conditions and reducing soil compaction. This study had the objective of evaluating the influence of chiseling on the development of cover crops and citrus trees and on soil physical properties in an orchard with a compaction history in a clayey Typic Haplorthox. The soil was chiseled at 0.30 m, followed by three soil cover crops: spontaneous vegetation, pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), […]

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 […]

Unless fertilizer is properly placed in the soil it can be harmful. This experiment was conducted to study cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) root growth and initial plant development and nutrition as affected by fertilizer placement. Cotton plants were grown in pots with a glass wall. The fertilizer was applied 5.0 cm under the seed row and 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 cm beside the seed row. Root growth was evaluated every 3 days, and 21 days after emergence the plants were […]

A well-developed root system is necessary for plant growth and sustentation, and, as a consequence, for high pasture yield. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate root characteristics in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in response to combinations of nitrogen and sulphur rates in nutrient solution. Ground quartz was used as substrate in a greenhouse experiment from September to December 2001. An incomplete 52 factorial was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The 13 combinations of nitrogen […]

In Rio Grande do Sul state, the area cultivated with under no-till system now amounts to 60 % of the total rain-fed cultivated area. However, there are still doubts as to crop practices in this soil conservation system, such as liming and fertilization as well as regarding root growth and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lime doses and application forms on corn root development. The experiment was carried out in 1999/2000, in the […]

The cultivation of cover crops with vigorous root systems in crop rotation can improve the physical quality of compacted soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate shoot and root growth of soybean (Glycine max) and five species used as summer cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Cajanus cajan var. small, Mucuna aterrima, Dolichos lab lab and Crotalaria juncea) in a soil submitted to three different levels of subsurface compaction. Plants were grown in pots assembled with three PVC rings, 50 […]

Chisel plowing in-between rows of sugar cane ratoon, associated with fertilizer and harrowing (triple cultivation) is a common practice to reduce soil compaction, but little is known about its effects on ratoon rooting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of post-harvest chisel plowing on the physical properties of an Oxisol, root distribution, and yield. The experiment was set up in an Arenito Caiuá Soil and used the third ratoon of RB72454 sugar cane variety. The treatments […]

Root growth is affected by mechanical soil resistance and affects the crop yield potential. This study evaluated the soil penetration resistance on a clayey Oxisol under distinct no-tillage cropping systems. The experiment was carried out at the technological field of Cotrijui in southern Brazil. The soil was a Haplorthox with a clay content of 0.68 kg kg-1 and it has been under four no-tillage cropping systems: succession soybean/wheat; corn/black oat/corn + velvet bean/wheat/soybean/wheat; velvet bean/wheat/soybean/ wheat/soybean/black oat; and crotalaria/wheat/soybean/black oat/corn/wheat. […]

To select a method for the evaluation of a root system the research goals, crop of interest, and its growth conditions must be taken into consideration. The study of roots is highly important in the understanding of various phenomena of the shoot growth and development, but requires an extremely careful proceeding since evaluation methods are laborious and the roots are affected by the physiochemical variability of the soil. The objective of this research was to compare five evaluation methods for […]