The efficient use of phosphate fertilizers in soils of the tropical region is still a challenge, mainly regarding long-term soil management. Based on the cumulative response of three successive maize cultivations, alternatives of phosphorus supply combining P sources and application methods were compared in a formerly fertilized Red Argisol. Treatments arranged in a 4 x 3 + 1 factorial scheme represented by four P sources (180 kg ha-1 P2O5) as triple superphosphate – TS, magnesium termophosphate – MT, Arad reactive rock phosphate – RP, and Araxá […]

This study carried out in order to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge (from Barueri: industrial and residential sewage, and Franca (SP) State: residential sewage) doses on soil heavy metal contents and their availability to corn. Three successive experiments were installed in a Latosol at the Experimental Field of Embrapa Environment, in Jaguariúna (SP), from 1999 to 2001. The treatments investigated consisted of: control (without sewage sludge); mineral fertilization (NPK) recommended for corn; and application of both sewage sludge sources […]

Cover crop residues mobilize cations and benefit the action of lime applied on the soil surface owing to the release of low molecular weight organic acids from the soluble fraction of residues. However, these effects in no-till system are yet to be confirmed in field studies. A five-year trial was carried out on a no-till dystrophic Rhodic Hapludox in Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil, with the aim of evaluating changes in chemical soil attributes, as well as the corn […]

Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient taken up in the largest quantity by corn and it has the greatest effect on grain yield. Its dynamics in the soil-plant system is influenced by the management. The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen rates and application times in corn in a recently implanted no-tillage system. This study was conducted at the Experimental Station of UNESP/FEIS – Ilha Solteira campus in Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, during the growth […]

The alteration of spatial distribution of plants is an option to increase the grain yield. For high-yielding materials more information about the influence of nitrogen fertilization is needed. Thus, the influence of row spacing, population densities and nitrogen rates on the leaf nitrogen concentration, estimated concentration of chlorophyll, number of grains per ear, mass of thousand grains, grain yield, and protein content were evaluated. This study was carried out in the 2000/2001growth season; the treatments were two row spacings (0.60 […]

Root growth and crop yield can be affected by chemical modifications of the soil profile owing to lime and gypsum applications. A field trial was carried out on a dystrophic Clay Rhodic Hapludox in Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, Brazil, aiming to evaluate the changes in the chemical soil properties and corn response to lime and gypsum applications at the installation of a no-tillage system. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replications, in a split-plot experiment. The main […]

Lime application on the soil surface in no-tillage systems, without incorporation, has not been effective in certain edaphic and climatic conditions for the correction of acidity or for calcium and magnesium supply to plants. Searching alternatives for limestone application without the conventional tilling and harrowing operations, this study tried to evaluate the efficiency of different lime application forms for the chemical soil attributes, nutritional state, and agronomic characteristics of corn crop. A randomized block design with split-plots and three replications […]

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 […]

Black oats and common vetch are the main winter cover crops in southern Brazil. Grass-legume bicultures grown as winter cover crops are rarely used by farmers, although they can provide a more balanced biomass C/N ratio than single crops, besides erosion control and N supply to corn. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, this work was carried out on a Hapludalf with a sandy-loam texture, located at the Federal University of Santa Maria (RS). The treatments comprised different seeding density […]

The association of conservation tillage with cover crops is an important tool for improving soil quality. When legumes are used as cover crops there is an increase in nitrogen (N) availability for the first crop in succession (immediate effect). However, the long term use of legumes as cover crop increases soil N availability (residual effect). This long-term experiment was carried out to evaluate the immediate effect and residual effect of cover crops on a Paleadulf from Rio Grande do Sul, […]