Systematic pig slurry application to crop soils may lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in regions with intensive pig raising. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of Cu, Zn and Mn in soils under systematic pig slurry application. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from two of the most representative watersheds of Santa Catarina where the predominant activity is pig raising. In each watershed, 12 properties were chosen to evaluate the different systems of […]

The widespread occurrence of Cambisols (shallow, dense and silty) and of clayey and very clayey Latosols is typical of pelitic rocks of the pre-Cambrian Bambui Group landscape, but few studies are focused on the genesis and agricultural potential of these soils. Two areas were selected in Curvelo, state of Minas Gerais, for a detailed study of physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of these soils, to deepen the understanding of the pedogenesis of this area. Soils classified as Haplic Cambisols (Inceptisols), […]

In spite of modern and sophisticated techniques, procedures of selective dissolution are still of considerable value for soil characterization and to the understanding of the pedogenetic process, especially environments and soils poorly studied, as the coastal plain regions and Spodosols of Brazil. The application of these techniques commonly used for characterization of spodic horizons and soil profiles for large amount horizons and soils studied in cronossequences are rare for those environments and become possible to establish comparisons with those intensively […]

Maize yield has increased with the development of modern cultivars and the demand for N has followed the same trend. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect the timing of N application on grain yield and distribution in maize plant components in the presence and absence of Mo fertilizer under no-tillage. The experiment was conducted in the 2006/07 growing season, at the Experimental Station of Coimbra-MG. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block with three replications […]

Grazing intensities can influence soil aggregation, which can be temporarily and permanently affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the aggregate stability in water at the end of a soybean cycle and during pasture development in a crop-livestock integration system under no-tillage and grazing intensities. The experiment was initiated in 2001, in a dystrophic Red Latosol, after soybean harvest. Treatments consisted of pasture (black oat + Italian ryegrass) at heights of 10, 20 and 40 cm, grazed by young […]

Sewage sludge (SS) application to agricultural soils can raise the levels of some nutrients inadequately, for example P. In practice, the applied SS doses are based on the N requirement of crops, in which the P requirement or final destination of the applied P in the residue is not taken into account. Phosphorus is often associated with the eutrophication of water bodies, for being transported by runoff. The objective of this study was to evaluate if three chemical extractors used […]

A review of technology research supporting the Brazilian sugaralcohol sector shows that only sporadic studies with irrigated sugarcane have been developed to investigate nutritional requirements. In this context, the objective of this study was to quantify the capacity of extraction and export of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg as well as the nutritional requirement for the production of one ton of stalk per hectare (TCH) in the plant cane cycle of 11 sugarcane varieties (SP79-1011, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB943365, […]

The influence of soil management or the contaminant application to the soil, usually induce to a quicker response in the soil mesofauna than in other pedogenic properties; these organisms are therefore good environmental quality indicators. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the organisms groups of the soil mesofauna and determine Pb and Zn contents in plants in the mining and metallurgy plant in Adrianópolis (PR),to originate biological indicators of the quality of these solis. At the […]

Brazil is the largest sugar cane producer in the world and, due to the increasing interest in renewable energy sources, the cultivated area is expanding. Sugar cane is usually planted in soil with low nutrient levels, which can limit the yield. In sugar cane, potassium is basically applied in the furrow, which can decrease the K use efficiency due to leaching or salinizaton to plant roots. The goal of this study was to evaluate stalk yield and technological properties of […]

Alfalfa is an important forage crop with high nutritive value, although highly susceptible to soil acidity. Liming is one of the most efficient and prevailing practices to correct soil acidity and improve alfalfa yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate response to liming of alfalfa grown in a greenhouse on a Typic Quartzipsamment soil. The treatments consisted of four lime rates (0, 3.8, 6.6 and 10.3 Mg ha-1) and two cuts. Alfalfa dry matter increased quadratically with increasing lime rates. […]