The amount and distribution of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in whole soil and in particle-size fractions were analyzed in two clayey Dark Red Latosols (LE1 and LE2). LE1 (forest as natural vegetation), from Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, cultivated with citrus since 1982 receiving two lime treatments, control and 18 t ha-1 applied twice in 1983 and 1994. Since 1976, LE2 (cerrado as natural vegetation) from Planaltina, Federal District (cerrado region), was cultivated with different crops (wheat, soybean, rice and sorghum) sown […]

In addition to improving chemical attributes of the soil, such as pH, exchangeable Ca and available Si, calcium silicate fertilization in soils with low soluble silicon (Si) can also affect rice yield due to a greater resistance to lodging and increased photosynthetic area. The objective of this study was to evaluate Si availability in soils from the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using upland rice. The treatments consisted of 5 Si rates (0, 120, […]

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the mineralogical constituents of clay fraction and the development of micro and macrostructure of Latosols (Oxisols) from southeastern Brazil. For that purpose, samples of oxic horizons were obtained from seven Latosols representative of this group, from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states. The different soil samples were submitted to morphological, chemical, physical, mineralogical and micromorphological characterizations. From the different results it was possible to conclude that kaolinite and gibbsite are the main […]

The association of conservation tillage with cover crops is an important tool for improving soil quality. When legumes are used as cover crops there is an increase in nitrogen (N) availability for the first crop in succession (immediate effect). However, the long term use of legumes as cover crop increases soil N availability (residual effect). This long-term experiment was carried out to evaluate the immediate effect and residual effect of cover crops on a Paleadulf from Rio Grande do Sul, […]

The excess of heavy metals contaminating soils is responsible for a negative impact on microorganisms and toxicity on plants, hence turning revegetation and rehabilitation of areas degraded by these metals very difficult. In the present study, the effects of the isoflavonoid formononetin (7 hydroxy 4’methoxy isoflavona) on growth and metal uptake by corn (Zea mays L.) were studied in soil-mixes with increasing proportions of a contaminated soil with 16.904; 194; 219 and 836 mg dm-3 of soil of Zn, Cd, […]

A field experiment was carried out on a clay-sand-loamy Red-Yellow Latosol (Typic Acrustox) in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil, during the cropping seasons of 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98, to compare the effect of three methods of copper application (soil, foliar spray and seed treatment) on soybean (cv. Doko RC) grain yield and to determine the soil and leaf critical levels of that nutrient. There were no significant differences among the treatments in the first crop, probably due to a dry spell […]

This experiment was carried out on a dystrophic Dark-Red Latosol from Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil, to evaluate the yield of corn, wheat and soybean as a function of the changes in the chemical characteristics of soil due to surface application of lime and gypsum under a no-tillage system. A completely randomized block design was used, with three replications, in a split-plot experiment. Dolomitic limestone was applied at rates of 0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1 (main plots) in July […]

In order to evaluate the saline tolerance of Rhizobium loti strains (NFB 494 and SEMIA 6069) on Leucaena leucocephala-cv K8, an experiment was carried out using a Red-Yellow Podzolic, submitted to different levels of soil salinity (C.E. = 1.5; 6.6; 10.1; 12.8 e 14.4 mS cm-1). For comparative purposes, a non-inoculated treatment was added with and without mineral fertilization (200 mg kg-1 soil of N as NH4NO3). The experimental design was a complete randomized block, arranged in a 5 x […]

A study on the genesis of Humic Oxisols and its relationships with the evolution of the landscape was carried out in an area of 5,750 ha in the central segment of the South of Minas Gerais Brazil. Two morphopedological systems (SMI and SMII), representative of the regional geology and geomorphology were chosen. Pedological (chemical, physical, morphological, micromorphological) and geomorphological studies, as well as soil charcoal quantification and radiocarbon tating were performed in four profiles classified as: Humic Xantic Hapludox and […]

A slope with a soil sequence over sandy Perm-Carboniferous sediments from the Itararé Formation with clayey oxidic soils was studied. This area is representative of the low hills with smooth relief of the low valley from the Piracicaba river. The area is located in the Piracicaba municipality about 22o 47’S & 47o 35’W within São Paulo State Peripheral Depression. The sequence comprises a clayey Dark-Red Latosol (Rhodudox), on the hill top transitioning downwards to a Dark-Red Latosolic-Podzolic Intergrade (Rhodic Kandiudox). […]