Volume 29, Number 3, 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate spectral curves of three different soils amended with organic residues derived from the cane sugar industry. It was used disturbed samples of four soils of distinct classes: a typic dystrophic Red Latosol (Haplustox-LVd), a typic dystroferric Latosol (Rhodic Ustox-LVdf), a typic dystrophic Argisoil (Rhodustults-PVd) and a Cambisol (Dystropept-CXa). They were amended with 0, 40 or 80 t ha-1 of organic residues derived from the cane sugar and alcohol industry (filter cake). Spectral reflectance of […]

Changes in soil mineralogical properties in humid subtropical regions due to potassic fertilizer practices are so far poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to compare the changes in soil minerals and the consequences on K+ release. Soil samples (depth of 0-10 cm) were collected over eleven years from areas with and without K fertilization and from a nearby natural grassy vegetation site on the Campus of the Federal University of Santa Maria. The K fertilizer treatments were 0 kg ha-1 year-1 […]

Twenty-nine isolates of the ectomycorrhiza fungus Pisolithus sp. from different geographical and host origins were tested for their ability to form ectomycorrhizae on Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The ectomycorrhiza-forming capacity of isolates varied greatly from one eucalypt species to the other. All isolates from Eucalyptus, nine from Pinus spp. and two isolates from unknown hosts formed mycorrhizae with E. grandis and E. urophylla. Root colonization rates varied from 0 to 5.2 % for all Pinus isolates […]

Research on wheat root diazotrophic bacteria has demonstrated the need to associate effective bacteria to promising genotypes, which would benefit from this association. A field experiment was carried out in Mococa County, State of São Paulo, Brazil, using a split-plot design. Treatments consisted of 3 wheat genotypes (IAC-24, ITD-19 and IAC-355) under 3 nitrogen doses (0, 60 and 120 kg ha-1). The occurrence of diazotrophic bacteria was evaluated in three growth media: NFb, JNFb and LGI-P, using surface-sterilized roots. Only in genotype IAC-355 […]

Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient taken up in the largest quantity by corn and it has the greatest effect on grain yield. Its dynamics in the soil-plant system is influenced by the management. The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen rates and application times in corn in a recently implanted no-tillage system. This study was conducted at the Experimental Station of UNESP/FEIS – Ilha Solteira campus in Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, during the growth […]

Phosphorus is found in the soil in several forms that vary according to the chemical nature of the compounds and the bound energy. Therefore, methods for routine evaluation for the availability of P to plants should be able to extract the forms that sustain the plant uptake. This study evaluated the mode of action of Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and anion exchange resin (AER) methods by observing the modifications in soil P forms after three and thirteen successive extractions. Samples of a […]

The effect of density and fertilization on heart-of-palm yield of peach palm under field conditions was determined at Yuricam farm, in Rio Preto da Eva counnty, state of Amazonia, Brazil. The experiment was installed in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme with three replicates. Treatments were comprised of the planting density (10,000; 5,000 and 3,333 plants ha-1) and N, P2O5 and K2O doses (0-0-0; 112.5-12.5-90; 337.5-38-270; 225-90-180 and 225-25-180 kg ha-1). The results of the first year […]

Classic ethnoscientific techniques were adapted to describe and analyze the knowledge of peasant potters about soils they use for making pottery in a rural village in the Agreste region, State of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil. Five soil profiles from pits where local people obtain pottery clay were formally described by researchers (etic approach) and by peasant artisans (emic approach). Samples collected during both the emic and etic approaches were used for the morphological and analytical soil characterization. The peasant potters were […]

The influence of the salt content of two contrasting water sources (river and shallow well) on the hydraulic attributes of a clay loam Fluvic Inceptisol were tested. The experiment was carried out in 2000/2001 agricultural year on a 5,000 m2 plantation of Musa sp banana, cultivar pacovan. It consisted of a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of two water sources and three irrigation levels (L1, L2 and L3), applied via microsprinkling. Results showed that the different irrigation levels and water quality did not […]

Unpaved roads are essential for the economic and social development in Brazil. Water erosion is one of the key factors causing their degradation. This study developed a new model of determination of spacing between water outlets in unpaved roads. The surface runoff hydrograph in the road channel was estimated using the cinematic wave model and the runoff shear stress was calculated using the flow rate obtained in the hydrograph. Detachment occurs when the flow shear stress exceeds the critical soil […]