Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill) in vitro propagation results in the production of a large quantity of healthy and homogeneous plantlets. Despite these advantages, the long time required for acclimatization makes this agricultural practice too costly. Growth acceleration of plantlets by inoculation with endophytic and epiphytic diazotrophic bacteria may be useful to reduce this period. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential of 20 diazotrophic bacteria strains in synthesizing indole, solubilizing Ca phosphate and Zn oxide and […]

In Roraima, the spatial distribution of indigenous peoples indicates a background of constant search for soils capable of sustaining shift cultivation. This study aimed to establish a relationship between the understanding of soil by the Yanomami tribe from the mid-Catrimani river region and the Brazilian System of Soil Classification and evaluate the type of agricultural land use according to soil fertility tests, in two steps. The first consisted of visiting eight Indian communities to collect soil samples at 21 sites […]

Nutrients recycle is related to the absorption capacity by different cover crop species. Already speeds of decomposition and of nutrient release of straws produced is mostly related with C/N ratio, with a marked difference between grasses and leguminous. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production and macronutrient contents and accumulation, decomposition, and nutrient release from straw of millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf) and millet – jack – bean (Canavalia ensiformes (L.) DC.) intercropping, […]

Dairy cattle in South Brazil is raised mainly in a system based on partial or total confinement of the animals, generating a significant amount of residues. The residues have been used as the only nutrient source or associated to mineral sources in grain or silage production. Their effect on soil characteristics has however been little explored. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of fertilization rates with liquid dairy cattle manure associated with mineral fertilizer on P, K, C, […]

The technique of TDR (time-domain reflectometry) is an important tool for the study of soil water content. For a correct use of this technique, models that relate the volumetric water content in soil with the soil dielectric constant must be calibrated, considering the characteristics of each soil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of soil type and sampling form (disturbed and undisturbed samples) on the dielectric constant (Ka) of the soil and the performance of models […]

The disposal of sewage sludge and other organic waste on the soil seems be an alternative for the public sector since this can provide nutrients for the growth and maintenance of plant species that constitute the urban systems of green areas. This experiment was conducted in Mogi Guaçu, State of São Paulo to evaluate the effect of doses (0, 20, 40 and 80 Mg ha-1) of an organic sewage sludge compost and grass residue on the recovery of a humusless […]

The application of treated and stabilized sewage sludge to soils has been shown to be a viable disposal alternative, since costs are low and cause no negative impacts, but contribute to the restoration of the original characteristics of some degraded soils. This experiment was carried out in Mogi Guaçu, State of São Paulo (Brazil) to evaluate the effect of doses (0, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1) of an organic compost of sewage sludge and grass residues on the recovery […]

The ferrimagnetic minerals maghemite (γFe2O3) are closely related with metal availability and P adsorption capacity. Magnetization is spontaneous in a significant percentage of Brazilian soils. In the State of Paraná (Brazil) this area represents up to 50 %. The determination of the mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (ΧBF) is the simplest method of identification and quantification of ferrimagnetic minerals in soils. The ΧLF is a quick, cheap, non-destructive technique, with satisfactory reproducibility, and can be used as a criterion in pedogenetic studies […]

Nutrients are basically transported to the roots by mass flow and diffusion. The aim of this study was to quantify the contribution of these two mechanisms to the acquisition of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and cationic micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) by maize plants as well as xylem exudate volume and composition in response to soil aggregate size and water availability. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with samples of an Oxisol, from under […]

The effectiveness of soil sampling plans may be increased if the spatial variability of soil properties is known and taken into consideration; the factors that determine it should therefore be studied. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the spatial variability of the contents P, K, Ca, Mg, and S in two Oxisols, one very clayey and the other with medium texture, managed in a similar system for eight years, in no-tillage. Soil samples were collected at regular distances […]