Volume 27, Number 3, 2003

Soil and water losses by erosion were measured in forest ecosystems and were related to the calculated maximum tolerable soil losses. Main soil classes in the Coastal Plains of the region of Aracruz (ES) were studied, with the aim of obtaining indicators of management adequacy for this production system. The experimental plots were set on loamy/clayey Yellow Argisol (PA1), Haplic Plinthosol (FX), and moderately rocky Yellow Argisol (PA8). The slopes ranged from 2-8  %, 1-12  %, and 29-36  %, for each soil class. […]

The iron oxide mineralogy of sand, silt and clay fractions was studied in five soil materials. Samples were collected from a pedon of a Red Nitossolo (Brazilian Soil Classification; related to an Alfisol in US Soil Taxonomy) developing on a tholeiitic basalt, near the town Tupaciguara (18 o 35 ‘ 33 ” S; 48 o 42 ‘ 18 ” W) in the region of Triângulo Mineiro, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Portions of sand and silt were analyzed by magnetic separation and selective chemical treatments with NaOH […]

Under certain circumstances, Mn toxicity may be alleviated in mycorrhizal plants. Direct and indirect mechanisms can be involved in this process. Our objective was to evaluate the intrinsic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the uptake and translocation of Mn by soybean plants. Initially, three AMF were tested to determine their capacity in enhancing plant growth under Mn excess. Glomus macrocarpum was most efficient at protecting plants against Mn excess, as a result of a higher Mn retention in […]

Primavera do Leste is one of the most important farming areas of Mato Grosso State. This study was carried out in a Red-Yellow Latosol to evaluate the microbial biomass and enzyme activities in soils under native vegetation (known as “Cerradão”) and in soils under annual and perennial cropping systems. Soil samples were collected, at the beginning of the rainy season, at two depths (0-5 and 5-20 cm) in areas under a vineyard (row and between rows), annual crops (soybean) and native […]

The distributions of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), enzymes activities and readily mineralizable carbon were evaluated across soil aggregates recovered from a Dark-Red Clayey Oxisol in areas under native Cerrado vegetation and where no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) management systems have been established for 21 years. Soil samples were collected at a 0 to 5 cm depth and aggregates were prepared using a wet sieving procedure. The size classes 8.0 to 2.0 mm, 0.5 to 0.25 mm and 0.25 to 0.106 mm and samples denominated […]

The effect of N applications (time and rates) on chlorophyll and N contents in bean leaves was evaluated and correlations among them and with the yield established. Carried out in the Selvíria region, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design in a factorial 3 x 5 scheme. Treatments consisted in the combination of N (urea) application by side dressing at five levels (0, 35, 70, 105, and 140 kg ha-1 of N) at three times […]

To evaluate a fractionation scheme for Zn in a sandy soil (Ultisol) and its relation with Zn availability for Cynodon spp cv. Tifton-85, an experiment was carried out in greenhouse, with a factorial scheme (5 doses of zinc, 2 doses of lime and 2 times of sampling), in a completely randomized block design, with three replications. The doses of Zn were: 0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5 and 10 mg dm-3; half of the pots did not received liming (V = 42%) and, in the other half, liming was […]

In this study the split application of nitrogen and the maize crop pre-sowing nitrogen application under a no-tillage system followed by black oat, with two rainfall regimes were evaluated. Treatments were: (a) application of 150 kg ha-1 of N in pre-sowing and 30 kg ha-1 of N at sowing with 1997/98 “El-Niño” rainfall applications; (b) nitrogen application, being 30 kg ha-1 of N at sowing, and 30 kg ha-1 of N at 31 and 57 days after emergency (DAE), with “El-Niño” rainfall applications; (c) without N application and “El-Niño” […]

Little is known about the soil diversity of Brazilian highland regions, despite their recent upgrading in view of the ecotouristic potential of some areas. Chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological attributes of ten soil profiles along two transects in the quartzitic domains of the Ibitipoca State Park, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were studied in relation to their pedogenesis. At local level, soil formation is more closely associated with litho-structural elements (lithology, faults and fractures), than with topographical variations. The soils are Al-saturated […]

Plinthite and petroplinthite are commonly present features in soils developed on sandstone of the Bauru Group, Adamantina Formation, in the northern and western region of São Paulo State. The objective of this study was to evaluate chemical properties as well as pedogenic processes that led to the formation of these materials and the soil profile. Two soils at the foot of a representative mountainside of the local landscape with plinthic, petroplinthic and mottling features were selected within areas of the […]