Especially under no-tillage, subsuface soil acidity has been a problem, because it depends on base leaching, which has been associated with the presence of low molecular weigth organic acids and companion anions. The objective of this study was to evaluate exchangeable base cation leaching as affected by surface liming along with annual urea side-dressing of maize and upland rice. Treatments consisted of four lime rates (0, 1500, 3000, and 6000 kg ha-1) combined with four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, […]

The study of the ecology of soil microbial communities at relevant spatial scales is primordial in the wide Amazon region due to the current land use changes. In this study, the diversity of the Archaea domain (community structure) and ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (richness and community composition) were investigated using molecular biology-based techniques in different land-use systems in western Amazonia, Brazil. Soil samples were collected in two periods with high precipitation (March 2008 and January 2009) from Inceptisols under primary tropical rainforest, […]

The soil P sorption capacity has been studied for many years, but little attention has been paid to the rate of this process, which is relevant in the planning of phosphate fertilization. The purpose of this experiment was to assess kinetics of P sorption in 12 representative soil profiles of the State of Paraíba (Brazil), select the best data fitting among four equations and relate these coefficients to the soil properties. Samples of 12 soils with wide diversity of physical, […]

The occurrence of Umbric Ferralsols with thick umbric epipedons (> 100 cm thickness) in humid Tropical and Subtropical areas is a paradox since the processes of organic matter decomposition in these environments are very efficient. Nevertheless, this soil type has been reported in areas in the Southeast and South of Brazil, and at some places in the Northeast. Aspects of the genesis and paleoenvironmental significance of these Ferralsols still need a better understanding. The processes that made the umbric horizons […]

Considerations on the interactions of P in the soil-plant system have a long history, but are still topical and not yet satisfactorily understood. One concern is the effect of liming before or after application of soluble sources on the crop yield and efficiency of available P under these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil acidity on availability of P from a soluble source, based on plant growth and chemical extractants. Nine soil samples […]

Antibiotics are used in large quantities in livestock. Many of these molecules are not fully metabolized by the animals, leaving detectable residues in soil, surface water and groundwater samples. The occurrence of these residues in the environment can favor microorganism resistance to antibiotic agents, in addition to toxic effects on certain living organisms. In general, veterinary antibiotic molecules are amphoteric with many ionizable functional groups (different pKa values), rather variable molar masses (172 to 916 g mol-1) and low volatilization potential (vapor […]

In no-tillage or in crop-livestock integration systems, it is common the cultivation of common bean in succession to grasses. Due to the root systems morphology, differential secretion of various organic compounds by the roots, and crop residue decomposition, grasses may affect the soil P availability and the acquisition and utilization of P sources, apparently with low agronomic efficiency, for crops in succession. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of P in common bean yield in succession to […]

The determination of structural characteristics of humic substances (HS) is essential to understand the behavior of surface chemistry of highly weathered soils. Humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) isolated from the surface horizon of seven Oxisols of different locations of Brazil were characterized by analyses of elemental composition, total and carboxylic acidity, oxidation capacity and spectroscopic techniques. The oxidation degree of the humic substances was high, while acidity and molecular weight were relatively low, indicating a very reactive alkaline […]

Selenium (Se) retention by soil colloids is an important process to maintain the environmental quality. Little information is available on Se adsorption in highly weathered tropical soils, and there are few numerical parameters that can be used as references to aid on adoption management strategies in contaminated areas. Increasing amounts of Se (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250 mg L-1), added as Na2SeO3, were equilibrated with samples of ten Brazilian Oxisols [three Typic Hapludoxes (TH-1, TH-2 and TH-3), two […]

Land application represents an efficient alternative for disposal of biosolids. However, depending on the origin (urban and/or domestic) and the treatment system, biosolids may contain high amounts of heavy metals, which can gradually build up in the soil. Soil chemical amendments in contaminated areas can reduce the bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals and, consequently, minimize the risks of their adverse effects on the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of four chemical amendments [calcium […]