Two Oxisol (Red-Yellow Latosol LBw and Dusky Red Latosol LVdf) toposequences in Paraná State, Brazil, were evaluated regarding the effect of different relief positions and parent material on mineralogical characteristics of the soil clay fraction. The clay fraction was investigated by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, and chemical analysis. Total Si, Al and Fe contents were determined after clay sample digestion with a 3:1 mixture of 36% HCl and 68% HNO3 acids. The Fe and Al contents were determined […]

Nutrient dynamics of common bean grown under no-tillage system presents some particularities, requiring additional information for its adequate management. The present study was carried out on a typic Haplustox, in Selvíria County, MS, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the effect of different levels and periods of nitrogen application on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield. A randomized complete block design in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, with four replications was used. Treatments consisted of sidedressing urea at five […]

Most soils in semi-arid Northeastern Brazil are considered phosphorus deficient. The great diversity of orders they belong to, however, indicates that they are not similar in relation to the concentrations of their different P forms. The distribution of phosphorus forms in 69 soils of the most common soil orders in the semi-arid region was evaluated in samples from the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers. Phosphorus was determined by Mehlich-1 and by a sequential fractionation, through extractions with resin, NaHCO3, […]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can increase the productivity of several crops, including lettuce. The main objective of this study was to compare the root and/or root collar colonizing ability on the growth promotion ability. A method of evaluation of root colonization was tested with the main objective of speeding up screening trials for growth enhancement of lettuce. Additionally, the antagonism in vitro between rhizobacteria and the pathogen Fusarium sp. was tested to verify if growth promotion ability was determined by […]

Although being temporary, the presence of tillage-induced surface roughness in the soil is an important requirement in conservation tillage systems. The reason is that surface roughness increases both surface retention and surface infiltration of water in the soil, reduces runoff velocity and volume, and traps eroded sediments, thus reducing water erosion damages. With this in mind, this study was developed with the objective of evaluating modifications in soil surface roughness by tillage and rainfall actions related to water erosion, in […]

Soil structure (type, size and development) defines the total soil porosity and macro and microporosity distribution, and is considered to be one of the most important agricultural soil properties. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the clay fraction mineralogy, including the crystallographic mineral characteristics, in the soil physical properties of two Oxisols developed from the basaltic rocks, in different landscape positions (toposequence) in Paraná State, Brazil. With this objective, the soil profile was morphologically described […]

There are complexes feedback mechanisms involving the relationship rootstock/scion, whick can positively or negatively affect the plant nutrient efficiency use. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of uptake, translocation and utilization of Zn, Cu and Mn in coffee seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse over 170 days using circulating nutrient solution in pots with sand medium. Four Coffea arabica L. genotypes were used as grafts: Catuaí Vermelho IAC 15 and Oeiras MG […]

Several studies reveal that the substitution of native vegetation by agricultural systems results in decreases in the C and N soil organic matter pools. Aiming to test the hypothesis that management practices favoring organic residue inputs promote increases in the most sensitive organic matter pools, the present study intended to study areas of an organic management system of acerola fruit production and a conventional cultivation area cropped with carrot and beet in crop rotation with corn. These areas belong to […]

Mining in the State of Minas Gerais-Brazil is one of the activities with the strongest impact on the environment, in spite of its economical importance. Amongst mining activities, acid drainage poses a serious environmental problem due to its widespread practice in gold-extracting areas. It originates from metal-sulfide oxidation, which causes water acidification, increasing the risk of toxic element mobilization and water resource pollution. This research aimed to evaluate the acid drainage problem in Minas Gerais State. The study began with […]

Evaluating the decomposition of cover crop residues added to the soil allows improving the comprehension of appropriate nutrient supply for commercial crops. This study was carried out under field conditions aiming to evaluate the decomposition and nutrient release from the shoots of perennial herbaceous legumes. The treatments were green cover crops intercropped with banana: groundnut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Gregory.), tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth.), siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Urb.) and spontaneous vegetation (mainly […]