A form of increasing the efficiency of N fertilizer is by coating urea with polymers to reduce ammonia volatilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polymer-coated urea on the control of ammonia volatilization, yield and nutritional characteristics of maize. The experiment was carried out during one maize growing cycle in 2009/10 on a Geric Ferralsol, inUberlândia, MG, Brazil. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied as topdressing on the soil surface in the following urea treatments: polymer-coated urea […]

Selection of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars with enhanced root growth would be a strategy for increasing P uptake and grain yield in tropical soils, but the strong plasticity of root traits may compromise their inclusion in breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the genotypic variability of root traits in common bean plants at two ontogenetic stages and two soil P levels. Twenty-four common bean genotypes, comprising the four growth habits that […]

The pressure applied by animal hooves can lead to soil surface compaction in a crop-livestock system (CLIS), with effects on soil physical quality. The hypothesis of this study was that the trampling of animals as a result of grazing on oat and ryegrass crops in a Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico (Oxisol) under no-tillage in a CLIS degrades soil physical quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different grazing heights on soil bulk density (BD), total porosity […]

The graphical representation of spatial soil properties in a digital environment is complex because it requires a conversion of data collected in a discrete form onto a continuous surface. The objective of this study was to apply three-dimension techniques of interpolation and visualization on soil texture and fertility properties and establish relationships with pedogenetic factors and processes in a slope area. The GRASS Geographic Information System was used to generate three-dimensional models and ParaView software to visualize soil volumes. Samples […]

Brazil is the fourth largest consumer of fertilizers in the world. Among these, bulk blends fertilizers are the most consumed in the country. After updating of Brazilian legislation in regard to fertilizers in 2004, many producers claim that there was an excessive increase in the strictness of legislation concerning inspection of nutrient levels in those products. Within this context, the objective of this study was to provide an exploratory and descriptive statistical analysis to the data gathered by MAPA (Ministry […]

Remote sensing has been used in the evaluation of physical and chemical characteristics of soils as a source of rapid, non-destructive, and low cost information, which may assist in management of environmental liabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for use of hyperspectral data in determining some properties of soil under different levels of application of sugarcane residue (vinasse) using spectral data obtained from samples in field conditions and laboratory oven-dried soil. A randomized block design […]

The semivariogram provides a visual assessment of spatial dependence but without directly resulting in a single numerical value that expresses the measurement of such dependence. However, from the estimated parameters of the theoretical model adjusted to the experimental semivariogram, it is possible to construct a measure of this spatial dependence. Currently, there are two indices in literature that are widely used; however, these indices show some gaps. The aim of this study was to propose a new index to measure […]

Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence can be a useful tool for detecting changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants. With the understanding that early detection of zinc (Zn) contamination is fundamental in environmental monitoring, the aim of this study was to assess Zn stress in castor bean (Ricinus communis) plants using X-ray chlorophyll fluorescence. The changes brought about by Zn in photosynthetic pigments and in the mineral composition of plants were also studied. Castor bean plants were grown for 28 days […]

Inconclusive responses of the adult coffee plant to phosphorus fertilization have been reported in the literature, especially when dealing with application of this nutrient in high density planting systems. Thus, this study was carried out for the purpose of assessing the response of adult coffee plants at high planting density in full production (in regard to yield and their biennial cycle/stability) to the addition of different sources and application rates of P in the Zona da Mata region of Minas […]

Nutrient availability during the year can affect the performance of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia). However, there is no information about this crop responses to split application of fertilizer under Brazilian conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of splitting the application of chemical fertilizers on the nutrition, yield, and quality of nuts of the macadamia nut tree. The experiment was conducted over three growing seasons on an Oxisol in Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, Brazil. A randomized […]