ABSTRACT Oxisols ( Latossolos ) are widely distributed in tropical zones and generally characterized by high levels of surface and subsurface acidity. In Brazil, most Oxisols are managed under no-till conditions with surface application of acidity amendments. This study aimed to evaluate lime application strategies (incorporated and surface) for achieving the desired soil base saturation (BS%) levels (44, 60, 70, and 90 %) and the effect of phosphogypsum + lime application on soil chemical properties as well as wheat and […]

ABSTRACT Soil properties and classes can influence the occurrence of plants and the production of Brazil nut fruits and may have a different distribution between sites. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of plants’ occurrence, production of Brazil nut fruits, and spatial variability of the properties in different soil classes in two Brazil nut stand in the state of Acre, Brazil. The study was conducted in two plots in two native Brazil nut stand, Cachoeira (CP01 and CP02 – […]

ABSTRACT Film mulching is an effective water-saving and yield-increasing measure for potato production in Northwest China. However, the response mechanism of microbial communities to mulching films in the soil is still unclear. In this study, polyethylene film mulching (PM), biodegradable film mulching (BM), liquid film mulching (LM), and non-mulching (NM) were applied on the drip-irrigated soil to investigate the effects of mulching films on soil bacterial and fungal communities through DNA sequencing, Pearson correlation analysis, and redundancy analysis. The results […]

ABSTRACT The combination of pillarization and charge neutralization with Li+ can make montmorillonite an important support material for industry and decontamination of pollutants in soil and water. Montmorillonite characterization techniques were described in detail, and pillarization procedures were used, after Li+ saturation, to modify and manipulate the chemical and mineralogical surface properties of this montmorillonite. Eight samples were produced: 1) natural montmorillonite (Chisholm Mine – MMT); 2) Li+ saturated montmorillonite (MMTLi); 3) polyethylene glycol (PEG) Al-pillared montmorillonite (AlPEG); 4) PEG […]

ABSTRACT The steady infiltration rate of soil profiles is commonly determined for irrigation and soil conservation planning, but the divergence of methods reduces the reliability of measurements. In this study, the steady infiltration rate measured with a double ring infiltrometer (isr-dri) in different layers of a soil profile was compared between layers and with the steady vertical saturated flow rate estimated by the Richards equation (isr-hy). The measurements of isr-dri at the top of the A, E, and Bt horizons […]

ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) fixation in the soil reduces the utilization of this element by plants and can be one of the main problems for fertilization management in soils containing Fe oxides. As a strategy to minimize the effects of P retention, organic materials, such as biochar or commercial composts, may be useful tools to maintain P availability and delay immobilization of this element in the soil, thereby benefiting, for example, the rehabilitation of areas impacted by Fe mining. The objective […]

ABSTRACT Throughout the Amazon region, dark-colored soils with increased fertility are identified and referred as Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE). These unique soils are characterized by an anthropic surface horizon with dark colors, presence of charcoal and artifacts, in contrast with surrounding non-ADE soils. The ADEs show extraordinary properties such as the capacity of maintaining the dark colors and high nutrient levels after years of farming, even under the highly favorable climatic conditions for oxidation of organic matter and weathering of […]

ABSTRACT The relation between water content and water potential is a key soil hydraulic property. The presence of rock fragments in soils can affect this property in bulk soil. In this study, we focused on the relation property determined with a WP4 dew point potentiometer. The objective was to evaluate the hypothesis that breaking large gravel-size particles into smaller fragments is a suitable strategy for accurate WP4 measurements in coarse materials without affecting the retention properties. Ten initial samples of […]

ABSTRACT Continually rising scarcity in water and nutrient resources, especially in semi-arid agricultural systems, combined with increased frequency of extreme weather events such as drought, contribute to a growing need for resilient and regenerative agricultural ecosystems. However, evaluating a myriad of combinations of producer-led sustainable management practices in on-farm research remains challenging. Few studies have elucidated spatial variability in measured soil properties across the study area due to logistical and economic constraints. As such, this study aimed to: 1) establish […]

ABSTRACT Defining a suitable soil tillage option that provides adequate soil physical conditions for optimum cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) productivity has not been adequately researched in southern Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate, in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Distrófico (Acrisol or Hapludalf), three tillage methods – conventional (inverting) tillage, chiseling, and long-term no-tillage (without and with, additional soil compaction), as affecting soil hydro-physical properties and cassava yield, in southern Brazil. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were collected from row and interrow […]