ABSTRACT Soils rebuilt after coal strip mining is composed of topsoil and, or, overburden, and their chemical properties differ from those of natural soils mainly due to the sulfurization process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential for acidification from sulfides and heavy metal contamination across profiles of soils rebuilt after coal mining, in areas of different ages, with and without concomitant environmental reclamation during mine operations. Mining areas of different ages were selected: areas I and […]

ABSTRACT The economic exploitation of macaw palm [Acrocomia aculeate (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] is currently in transition, from extractivism to agricultural cultivation, thus requiring studies on the fertilization of the crop. This study evaluated the response of three genotypes of macaw palm to increasing rates of nitrogen and potassium, grown in the field until the 2nd year and to establish reference contents of mineral nutrients in the leaf. The experiment was a split-plot randomized block design with five main treatments […]

ABSTRACT Coastal Tablelands are flattened areas cut by valleys, which have predominantly Argissolos Amarelos (Yellow Argisol) and Latossolos Amarelos (Yellow Latosol). In contrast to this landscape, there are depressed circular areas, known as ponds, that create new dynamics in soil formation, due to the intermittent presence of water throughout the year. The soils of these pond areas are little known, which leads to the possibility of inappropriate use and management. The objective of this study was to describe the soils […]

ABSTRACT The sustainability of conservation farming systems is closely linked to return of nutrients to the soil through decomposition of crop residues. The aim of this study was to evaluate decomposition of crop residues and nutrient mineralization in soils with different textures over a 175-day incubation period. The experimental design consisted of a 6 × 4 × 5 factorial arrangement – six treatments, composed of four crop residues (corn, brachiaria, common bean, and Stylosanthes) and two controls, both without residues, […]

ABSTRACT The Middle São Francisco River valley is a vast territorial area with marked seasonal change and diversity of lithology, landscapes, soil, and vegetation. However, the relationships between soil characteristics and plant communities are poorly known. In this study, we show the relationships between key soil properties that determine the establishment of savanna-steppe, wooded savanna-steppe, savanna, semideciduous forest, and deciduous forest in this region through analysis of 166 soil profiles. In general, savanna soils are much more leached, Al-saturated, and […]

ABSTRACT Crop residues on the soil surface not only provide physical protection but may release significant amounts of nutrients to the soil through decomposition. However, the availability of these nutrients to plants has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total contents of organic C and N, pH, and the availability and recovery rate of P, K, Ca, Mg, and S from the biogeochemical cycling of different crop residues over time in built soils […]

ABSTRACT Knowledge of soils is increasingly important for their correct use in agriculture, in urban growth, and in conservation of natural resources, among other purposes. However, there is a lack of qualified professionals for pedological characterization and mapping, particularly at scales of greater detail. Due to this shortage and due to advances in computational tools and remote sensing, Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) arose in order to assist and expedite pedological survey activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to […]

ABSTRACT The management of nitrogen fertilization in wheat has proven to be a limiting factor for grain yield in the southern region of Brazil, and new techniques like the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) can be useful for estimating crop yield potential and, consequently, for determining N fertilization requirements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of NDVI, obtained through active and passive sensors, as a tool for estimating the grain yield of wheat cultivars under different […]

ABSTRACT Soil use can change processes such as soil organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and particle aggregation, which, in turn, influence the occurrence of macrofauna. The objective of this study was to relate land use systems to their effects on the distribution of soil macrofauna groups, as well as their relation to soil physical and chemical properties. The land use systems evaluated were native forest, an Eucalyptus plantation, pasture, a crop-livestock integration area, and a no-tillage crop area. Samples were […]

ABSTRACT The literature on fertilization for carrot growing usually recommends nutrient application rates for yield expectations lower than the yields currently obtained. Moreover, the recommendation only considers the results of soil chemical analysis and does not include effects such as crop residues or variations in yield levels. The aim of this study was to propose a fertilizer recommendation system for carrot cultivation (FERTICALC Carrot) which includes consideration of the nutrient supply by crop residues, variation in intended yield, soil chemical […]