In Brazil, the species Pinus elliottii and Terminalia ivorensis are being recommended for reforestation. However, little is known about the ecological characteristics of such forests, the nutrient cycle and possible consequences on yields and sustainability under tropical conditions. For a better understanding of the C dynamic in these ecosystems, this study aimed to evaluate the microbial activity of soil, litter, and the mixture of soil + litter in forest stands of P. elliottii and T. ivorensis. Samples of soil, litter […]

Soils in the region of Campos de Cima da Serra, RS, have high organic matter contents (SOM) and high levels of exchangeable Al. This study aimed to investigate the SOM quality of surface samples (0-10 cm) of eight representative soils from the region (two Neossols, two Gleissols, three Cambissols, one Latosol) under native pasture. The objectives were to evaluate the sample behaviour under demineralization with HF solution, to determine the chemical composition and the influence of exchangeable Al and iron […]

Soil compaction limits grain yields. Among others factors, soil amendment with agricultural lime can contribute to micro-aggregate dispersion and the formation of compacted layers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lime on soil physical attributes related to soil compaction. The experiment was carried out in PVC columns, in a glass house, during 18 months. Sterilized and non-sterilized samples of a dystrophic Red Latosol (Hapludox) were incubated with 0, 1.9, 3.8, 5.7, 7.6 and 15.2 Mg […]

The ribossomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) represents an important tool in the characterization of fungi polymorphism. There are many copies of rDNA arranged in non encoded spaces. These copies are highly preserved in fungus species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and to analyze the differences in the sequence polymorphism of the ITS region in the fungus Scleroderma UFSMSc1 with sequences of Scleroderma and Pisolithus isolates from the GenBank database. The DNA of […]

Logistic nominal regressions establish mathematical relations between continuous or discrete independent variables and discrete dependent variables. The prediction potential of the occurrence and distribution of soil classes in the region Ibirubá and Quinze de Novembro, RS, Brazil was evaluated. Using a digital elevation model (DEM) with 90 m resolution, were calculated several topographic characteristics (elevation, slope, and curvature) and hydrographic variables (distance to rivers, flow length, topographical wetness index, and stream power index). Multiple logistic regressions were established between the […]

The side-dressing fertilization of annual crops should consider S, beside N and K, in order to add protein value to the crop production. This work was carried out in the crop year 2004/2005, in the Farm Floresta do Lobo – Pinusplan, located at the km 93 of BR 050 highway, in the county of Uberlândia (MG). The experiment was installed in ácric Red Latossol typical Cerrado phase clayed (720 g kg-1), with the following objectives: to measure the losses by […]

Kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite are the main clay fraction components in Brazilian Oxisols. The abundance of these mineral influence the physical-chemical properties of such soils, which is thought to depend on the relief. This study aimed to characterize the spatial dependence of the crystallinity of kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite and aggregates of an Oxisol under sugar cane and to assess the spatial correlation between the attributes. In a grid with regular 10 m intervals 119 samples were collected […]

The evaluation of the amount of total and soluble P in surface waters is insufficient to diagnose their pollution potential. This study aimed to evaluate the P fractions and soil properties related to P release from eroded sediments of landscape units with different pressure levels of anthropogenic activity. Water + sediments were sampled in two landscape units of a sub-watershed of the small watershed Arroio Lino, in Agudo, RS, Brazil. The following properties were evaluated: pH, sediment concentration, total organic […]

Phosphate fertilizers contain heavy metals, including Cd, which is potentially toxic to humans, animals and plants. The objective of this study was to assess the bioavailability of Cd contained in phosphate fertilizers. Six phosphate fertilizers (two natural phosphates, two simple superphosphate, a triple superphosphate and a monoammonia phosphate) were selected for the study of bioavailability in a greenhouse experiment, using Avena strigosa as an indicator of the bioavailability of Cd. The Cd was bioavailable in phosphate fertilizers, since it was […]

The quality of commercial crop residues and green manure influences the N mineralization-immobilization rate and the respective use by subsequent crops. With the objective of evaluating N utilization by corn of N from the shoot and root system of sunnhemp (Crotolaria juncea) and millet (Pennicetum americanum) and corn straw, labeled with 15N, a green house experiment was carried out at the Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/USP), Piracicaba, S. Paulo, Brazil, in 5 kg pots with dystroferric Red Latosol […]