Si made available by Ca silicate can increase polyphenol formation, which could increase the persistence of crop residues on the soil surface. The present study evaluated the effect of silicate and lime on decomposition of different crop residues and the nutrient release for the development of common bean plants. An experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged as a 3 x 5 factorial combination, was used with four replications. Treatments consisted of three cover plant species: millet (Pennisetum americanum), brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha), and […]

It is well-known that Amazon tropical forest soils contain high microbial biodiversity. However, anthropogenic actions of slash and burn, mainly for pasture establishment, induce profound changes in the well-balanced biogeochemical cycles. After a few years the grass yield usually declines, the pasture is abandoned and is transformed into a secondary vegetation called “capoeira” or fallow. The aim of this study was to examine how the clearing of Amazon rainforest for pasture affects: (1) the diversity of the Bacteria domain evaluated […]

Humic substances can influence plant metabolism direct or indirectly, thus modifying its growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of humic-like substances (HS) on kinetics of K uptake, nutrient concentration and growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.). The experiment was performed on a laboratory bench with controlled light conditions. Plants were grown in pots with complete nutrient solution enriched with five levels (0; 2.5; 5; 10 and 20 mg L-1 of C) of alkaline soluble humic-like substances […]

Organic matter dynamics and nutrient availability in saline agricultural soils of the State of Guanajuato might provide information for remediation strategies. 14C labeled glucose with or without 200 mg kg-1 of NH4+-N soil was added to two clayey agricultural soils with different electrolytic conductivity (EC), i.e. 0.94 dS m-1 (low EC; LEC) and 6.72 dS m-1 (high EC; HEC), to investigate the effect of N availability and salt content on organic material decomposition. Inorganic N dynamics and production of CO2 and 14CO2 were monitored. Approximately 60 % […]

Under irrigated agriculture one of the main causes of yield variability, which is the plant-available water, is controlled. In this case, other yield limitations caused by soil attributes become more relevant. To investigate the spatial variability of soil attributes and crop yields, besides the relation between chemical and physical-hydric soil attributes and crop yields of two irrigated commercial plantations (51.8 and 58.2 ha) were studied in Trindade do Sul (TS) and Palmeira das Missões (PM) respectively, in the state of […]

The acclimatization of pineapple plantlets propagated by plant tissue culture is slow. The intensification of root growth by the use of humic acids may be useful during this process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the greenhouse acclimatization of ‘Vitória’ pineapple propagated by plant tissue culture in response to different doses of humic acids isolated from vermicompost and filter cake. Leaf anatomy, photosynthetic pigment content, shoot and root growth, and leaf nutrients were evaluated. An increase in growth […]

Biological N2 fixation is a major factor contributing to the increased competitiveness of Brazilian soybeans on the international market. However, the contribution of this process may be limited by adverse conditions to symbiotic bacteria, such as fungicide seed treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the fungicides carbendazim + thiram and carboxin + thiram on soybean nodulation, plant growth and grain yield. Two field experiments were carried out in the Cerrado region of the State of Roraima, in […]

The least limiting water range (LLWR) integrates the plant growth factors and the critical bulk density is an indicator of the soil structural quality. The objective of this study was to determine the LLWR of a clayey Oxisol. Soil samples with preserved structure were collected in an experiment with three levels of soil compaction: NT – continuous no-tillage for six years, NTc – no-tillage with additional compaction and Chi – chisel plowing on previous no-till soil. To determine soil penetration […]

The cohesive character is an attribute of subsurface soil horizons with hard to extremely hard consistency when dry, and friable or firm when wetted. Despite the agricultural importance, the formation of these horizons is not yet completely understood. The objective of this study was to characterize and assess the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of cohesive horizons in soils of the Coastal Tablelands of Northeast Brazil, in order to understand their pedogenesis and to identify physical and chemical parameters […]

The input of organic matter to the soil by legumes in alley cropping systems may be an alternative for a sustainable soil use in the humid tropics. The objective of this study was to compare the input of oxidizable organic matter in a combination of residues from different legumes in alley cropping systems on an Ultisol. Two legume species were evaluated: leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), which have high-quality residues, and Philippine pigeonwings (Clitoria fairchildiana) and acacia […]