Soil quality in no-till systems is related to the crop systems and may be evaluated through particulate organic matter (>53 ∝m) stock due to the functionality this property provides to the soil and its sensitivity to management practices. Aiming to assess soil quality no-till crop systems, this study was carried out through a long-term experiment (21 years) in a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico (typical Oxisol) in Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil. Six crop systems were assessed. Wheat-TR (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean-SO […]

The application of organic residues to the soil can increase soluble organic carbon (SOC) and affect the pH and electrolytic conductivity (EC) of the soil. However, the magnitude of these changes depends on the type of residue and the applied dose. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing C rates contained in organic residue on the pH, EC, water-extractable total carbon (WETC), water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), and water-extractable inorganic carbon (WEIC) in soil treated with manure (chicken, swine, […]

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are potential anionic intercalators. To obtain nitrate slow-release fertilizers, LDHs with the general formula [M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2]x-(NO3)x.yH2O (where M2+ = Mg2+ and M3+ = Al3+ and/or Fe3+) were synthesized by the method of co-precipitation at constant alkaline pH. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that crystallinity increases with the pH value and with the M2+/M3+ molar ratio. The FTIR measurements showed characteristic bands of free nitrate in the interlayer, as well as minor carbonate ion contamination. The compositions […]

Soil physical properties, plant growth, and water availability in the soil are factors that interact in response to changes in soil structure. Knowing how these factors interact in field conditions is of great importance for management of soil compaction for crop yield. In this paper, three levels of soil compaction, with and without irrigation, were assessed in regard to growth and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The probability of interaction between soil compaction and irrigation was 88 % […]

Hygroscopic fertilizers tend to absorb moisture from the air and may have undesirable characteristics such as moistness, clumping and lower fluidity, hampering the application. The increasing use of urea is due to its numerous advantages, although this nitrogen (N) source is highly susceptible to volatilization losses, particularly when applied to the soil surface of management systems with conservation of crop residues. The volatilization losses can be minimized by slow or controlled-release fertilizers, with controlled water solubility of the urea-coating materials; […]

The hypothesis of this study was that the absence of soil tillage in long-term no-tillage (NT) systems can be detrimental to soil aeration. The objective was to assess the aeration condition of an Oxisol (Rhodic Ferrasol), very clayey texture (750 g kg-1 of clay; 200 g kg-1 of sand), after 30 years of cultivation under NT. The physical property soil air permeability (Ka) is sensitive to changes in the soil pore system. Aside from Ka, the air-filled porosity (ε a) […]

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 […]