Water storage variability in a vineyard soil in the southern highlands of Santa Catarina state
01/Feb/2014
In the subtropical regions of southern Brazil, rainfall distribution is uneven, which results in temporal variability of soil water storage. For grapes, water is generally available in excess and water deficiency occurs only occasionally. Furthermore, on the Southern Plateau of Santa Catarina, there are differences in soil properties, which results in high spatial variability. These two factors affect the composition of wine grapes. Spatio-temporal analyses are therefore useful in the selection of cultural practices as well as of adequate soils […]
Evaluation of ammonia volatilization losses by adjusted parameters of a logistic function
01/Feb/2014
The dynamics of N losses in fertilizer by ammonia volatilization is affected by several factors, making investigation of these dynamics more complex. Moreover, some features of the behavior of the variable can lead to deviation from normal distribution, making the main commonly adopted statistical strategies inadequate for data analysis. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns of cumulative N losses from urea through ammonia volatilization in order to find a more adequate and detailed way of […]
Characterization of Histosols in floodplain environments in the northeast region of Brazil
01/Feb/2014
The Histosols are generally associated with Southeastern and Southern regions of Brazil, and there are few studies on the occurrence and effects of the use and agricultural management of these soils in the Northeast. The aim of this paper is to physically, chemically and morphologically characterize six profiles of Histosols from flood plains in the states of Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba, Brazil and correlate their soil properties to the training environment, as well as quantify their carbon […]
Least limiting water range in an Oxisol cultivated under a no-tillage system for 25 years
01/Feb/2014
Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR) integrates soil physical properties related to crop growth and corresponds to the interval between the upper and lower limits of water content in the soil within which limitations to root growth are minimal. In agricultural areas, soil management can lead to changes in its structure, mainly due to compaction and, subsequently, bulk density can reach values outside the limits in which conditions are ideal for plant growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to […]
Phosphorus fertilization on the early growth and nutrition of physic nut seedlings
01/Feb/2014
Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a perennial oilseed species that has aroused economic interest for biodiesel production. Among other factors, it is essential to determine the nutritional demands of this species to facilitate raising it as a crop. This study aimed to evaluate the early growth and mineral nutrition of physic nut, as well as soil fertility, as affected by phosphorus fertilization. The study was carried out in a plastic greenhouse in a completely randomized block experimental design with […]
Manganese accumulation and its relation to “eucalyptus shoot blight in the Vale do Rio Doce”
01/Feb/2014
Eucalyptus Shoot Blight in the Vale do Rio Doce (ESBVRD) is an anomaly that leads to reduced growth and, in more extreme cases, to death of eucalyptus plants. Initially diagnosed in plantations in the region of the Vale do Rio Doce, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, this problem has also been found in plantations in other regions of the country and even in other countries. Although the symptoms of this anomaly are well-known, its causes are not yet […]
Physical and water properties of an Ultisol under natural forest and savanna and planted to pasture in Roraima, Brazil
01/Feb/2014
The broad soil and ecosystem diversity of the state of Roraima is gradually being replaced by pasture and, depending on the management system adopted, this can be associated with soil physical degradation. Within this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the soil physical attributes of an Argissolo Amarelo (Ultisol) under savanna and forest natural ecosystems, and their conversion into a cattle pasture system. The primary treatments were natural savanna (NS), savanna converted to pasture […]
Diurnal-nocturnal fluctuation of soil water matric potential and soil water total potential gradient
01/Feb/2014
As the water matric potential is the most important component of the water total potential in unsaturated soils, it must be measured accurately. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil temperature on water matric potential and water total potential gradient over the period of water redistribution in a Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Oxisol/Hapludox) located in the municipality of Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. In a circular plot of 3 m diameter, 10 tensiometers with pressure transducers (model SWT3 from […]
Paper-recycling waste application to an Inceptisol and its effect on soil and crop cultivation
01/Feb/2014
The paper recycling process produces a large amount of waste and applying it on the soil may be one important strategy for use of this product. However, it is necessary to study the effects of application of this waste product on soil properties and crop performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of paper recycling waste on the chemical properties of an acidic Inceptisol and on the yield of soybean and common bean. A randomized complete […]
Impacts of land leveling on lowland soil physical properties
01/Feb/2014
The practice of land leveling alters the soil surface to create a uniform slope to improve land conditions for the application of all agricultural practices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impacts of land leveling through the magnitudes, variances and spatial distributions of selected soil physical properties of a lowland area in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; the relationships between the magnitude of cuts and/or fills and soil physical properties after the leveling process; […]