ABSTRACT: In banana cultivation, fertilization recommendations are almost exclusively based on soil chemical analysis, without considering leaf analysis and expected yield, which can help in the adjustment of fertilization programs. The aim of this study was to develop a method to recommend macronutrient fertilization rates which integrates data on leaf analysis, soil chemical analysis, and yield. Yield, soil chemical analysis, and leaf analysis data of fertigated plantations of ‘Prata’ banana were obtained for the first and second halves of the […]

ABSTRACT Brazilian soybean producers commonly apply maintenance potassium (K) fertilization during cultivation to restore the K taken up by plants; however, this measure can modify the morphophysiological plant characteristics, since the functions of K are closely related with plant growth and development. This study assessed the morphological changes in soybean plants in response to K rates, sowing fertilization, and the application periods of K fertilization in a Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (Oxisol) under a no-tillage system, located in the municipality of […]

Crop residues on the soil surface of no-till systems can intensify ammonia volatilization from N fertilizers applied to cereal crops. This study assessed the magnitude of N losses through ammonia volatilization from urea applied to no-till winter (wheat) and summer crops (maize) on a Typic Hapludox in the south-central region of Paraná, southern Brazil. In addition, the potential of alternative N sources (urea with urease inhibitor, liquid fertilizer, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate) and different urea managements (fertilizer applied in […]

Pig slurry (PS) represents an important nutrient source for plants and using it as fertilizer makes greater nutrient cycling in the environment possible. The aim of this study was to assess how PS application over a period of years can affect grain yield, dry matter production and nutrient accumulation in commercial grain and cover crops. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, from May 2000 to […]

Research has been conducted to identify the best nitrogen (N) rate for maize in most diverse types of soil management. However, there is no agreement on the results, once the dynamic of N is influenced by soil management and cover crops. This study evaluated dry mass production and nutrient uptake by cover crops, agronomic parameters and grain yield of maize in response to soil management and N rates. Field trials were carried out in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, […]

The State of Rio Grande do Sul is the greatest producer of flooded rice of Brazil, concentrated mostly along the western border. The objective was to evaluate soil physical properties and flooded rice yield in no-till and conventional tillage systems and rice straw levels in no-till system. The study consisted of four experiments (E), laid out in experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with four experiments (E) and 10 repetitions in experiment 1, 2 and 3 and 6 in experiment […]

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 […]

The limited availability of low-salinity water in Brazilian semiarid region causes producers to use water of moderate to high salinity for irrigation. In view of the increasing importance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in this region as a potential source of renewable energy, this study was conducted to evaluate sunflower crops irrigated with different water salinity levels (ECw) and fertilized with nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), from July to […]

In the humid tropics the buildup and maintenance of soil fertility are major challenges in terms of sustainability of agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate an alley cropping system with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) on an Alfisol, with annual application of lime and potassium, with special concern regarding the viability of this system as an alternative to slash and burn practiced in tropical agriculture. Pigeon pea and maize (Zea mays) were planted in the experiment with the […]

Soil compaction is a limiting factor to increase yields and to develop long-term no-till, especially in clayey soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of compaction levels on soil bulk density, porosity and penetration resistance, as well as the consequences on root growth, leaf area index and yield of common bean and wheat in crop succession. The treatments were: NT – continuous no-till for six years; NTc – NT with additional compaction; Chi – chisel plow […]