Dark subsurface horizons, with properties similar to the sombric horizon characterized by the USA Soil Taxonomy, are frequent in Southern Brazil. The genesis of this horizon is controversial and poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of sombric-like horizons in Ultisols in the South of Santa Catarina State, at low altitudes, and suggest possible processes of humus transference, accumulation and persistence in these horizons. Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of four Ultisols were evaluated; three were sampled in […]

The Depressão Central region in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is characterized by large areas of sandy soil that were intensively cultivated with flooded rice in the last decades. Currently, the high rice yields, along with the low organic matter content of these soils and the fertilization practices are favorable conditions for the appearance of sulfur (S) deficiency. With the purpose of determining sulfur distribution in the soil profile and recommending levels of this element for flooded […]

Nitrogen is the nutrient required in the largest quantity by plants and is generally the most limiting nutrient for crop yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of cropping systems on N accumulation and availability in the soil. A long-term experiment (22 years) was conducted on a Paleudult soil at an experimental station of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (30 º 50 ‘ 52 ” S and 51 º 38 ‘ 08 ” W), in Eldorado do Sul, Brazil, established in 1983. The experiment consisted […]

The residues flue dust, aqueous lime and sewage sludge (centrifuge and biodigestor) may affect soil physical attributes. The use of industrial and urban residues in soil, with emphasis to sewage sludge, was done in tilled soil, and there are no repports on soil physical attributes affected by these residues on soil surface in no-till system The goal of this study was to evaluate the physical attributes of a an Oxisol in no-till system by surface dispoasal of sewage sludge, flue […]

The soil quality of a crop-livestock system can change according to the pasture and soil management. This research was carried out in Otacilio Costa, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, on a Humic Cambisol previously used with native grass pasture for 9 years, desiccated in May 2003, for use with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture in the winter and corn in the summer. A split plot design was used, consisting of pasture management systems and soil tillage systems prior to the summer […]

Phytoextraction of heavy metals is a promising green technology by which metals are extracted from contaminated soils and transferred to plant shoots. Natural organic acids are an alternative to synthetic chelates since the environmental risks are lower thanks to their biodegradability. The study aimed at evaluating the performance of single and split applications of citric acid on enhancing Pb extraction by maize plants (Zea mays) grown in soil samples from an area contaminated with Pb from battery wastes. The citric […]

Nowadays no-tillage soybean is widely used in crop-livestock farming systems in Brazil. The yield of no-tillage soybean was analysed in the county of Selvíria (latitudes from 20 ° 18 ‘ 05 ” S and 20 ° 18 ‘ 28 ” S and the longitudes de 52 ° 39 ‘ 02 ” W and 52 ° 40 ‘ 28 ” W (Mato Grosso do Sul State – Brazil), in the 2006/07 growing season, as affected by some physical properties of a local Typic Acrustox. The objective was to determine the soil property that could best explain the variability in the agricultural productivity. For this purpose, […]

The use of water for rice irrigation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where the water courses are connected with the sea, may cause salt accumulation in the soil at harmful levels for the establishment of rice plants in the following years, especially when high rates of potassium fertilizer are applied in the plant rows. The study was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the effect of potassium chloride management on the establishment and absorption of cations by rice […]

The accuracy of mechanical analysis depends on the complete dispersion and stability of the soil suspension in order to make the separation of the soil fractions possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding sand in different amounts and particle sizes in the dispersion phase of the soil textural analysis in attempt to improve the accuracy of results. The soils used were Rhodic Eutrudox (oxidic) (LVef), Anionic Rhodic Acrudox (LVwf), Rhodic Eutrudox (kaolinitic) (LVe), Arenic […]

The deleterious effects of both Mn deficiency and excess on the development of plants have been evaluated with regard to aspects of shoot anatomy, ultrastructure and biochemistry, focusing mainly on the manifestation of visual symptoms. However, there is little information in the literature on changes in the root system in response to Mn supply. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Mn doses (0.5, 2.0 and 200.0  μmol L-1) in a nutrient solution on the anatomy of […]