Volume 38, Number 6, 2014

Field capacity (FC) is a parameter widely used in applied soil science. However, its in situ method of determination may be difficult to apply, generally because of the need of large supplies of water at the test sites. Ottoni Filho et al. (2014) proposed a standardized procedure for field determination of FC and showed that such in situ FC can be estimated by a linear pedotransfer function (PTF) based on volumetric soil water content at the matric potential of -6 […]

The least limiting water range (LLWR) has been used as an indicator of soil physical quality as it represents, in a single parameter, the soil physical properties directly linked to plant growth, with the exception of temperature. The usual procedure for obtaining the LLWR involves determination of the water retention curve (WRC) and the soil resistance to penetration curve (SRC) in soil samples with undisturbed structure in the laboratory. Determination of the WRC and SRC using field measurements (in situ […]

Characterization and geochemical analysis of soils allows us to understand the processes of migration, dispersal, and concentration of chemical elements in the profile, serving as a basis for correlation of soil properties with the soil classes formed, which allows inferences about soil genesis. The aim of this study was to characterize and interpret the total geochemical composition of major and minor elements in soil classes representative of the northern Pantanal in the Barão de Melgaço subregion, Mato Grosso (Brazil). We […]

Visible and near infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy is widely used to detect soil properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combined effect of moisture content (MC) and the modeling algorithm on prediction of soil organic carbon (SOC) and pH. Partial least squares (PLS) and the Artificial neural network (ANN) for modeling of SOC and pH at different MC levels were compared in terms of efficiency in prediction of regression. A total of 270 soil samples were used. Before […]

Maximum phosphorus adsorption capacity (Pmax) is a useful tool for characterizing the phosphorus (P) sorption of soils, and the Langmuir model, which allows this estimate, has widespread use. However, estimated values of Pmax and the binding energy constant (k) may be quite different when fitted to non-linear or linearized Langmuir models, or models with single or multiple regions. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of using different methods to fit the Langmuir model to the estimation […]

The vast majority of studies done on direct application of rock phosphates in Brazil have been performed in soils with pH less than 5.5 and low exchangeable Ca content. Studies under soil conditions different from these are not only rare, but have not been carried out because these soils may be restrictive to dissolution of these sources, depending on the species grown and the geological nature of the phosphate applied. A completely randomized block split-plot experimental design was set up, […]

To achieve high wheat yield, correct management of N fertilization and the use of high yield potential cultivars are necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different application rates and sources of N, applied totally at sowing or in topdressing, on grain yield and yield components of two irrigated wheat cultivars under a no-till system, grown in a Cerrado (Brazilian tropical savanna) region of low altitude. A randomized block design was used in a 5 […]

Potassium participates in the essential processes in plant physiology, however, the effects of K sources on plant metabolism have been little studied. Also, in certain cases, K sources and concentrations may cause undesirable effects, e.g., soil salinization. The objective was to evaluate the effect of K sources and levels on the enzyme activity of the antioxidant system and protein content in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) leaves and to determine the most suitable K sources for these physiological characteristics. The experiment […]

Lime application recommendations for amendment of soil acidity in sugarcane were developed with a burnt cane harvesting system in mind. Sugarcane is now harvested in most areas without burning, and lime application for amendment of soil acidity in this system in which the sugarcane crop residue remains on the ground has been carried out without a scientific basis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil acidity and stalk and sugar yield with different rates of […]

Knowledge of the dynamics of decomposition and nutrient release in production systems is of great importance for management of soil fertility and reducing waste of resources. In this regard, an experiment was conducted in Cerrado (Brazilian tropical savanna) soil from the western region of Bahia, Brazil, for the purpose of studying the decomposition and nutrient release from corn stover plus Brachiaria ruziziensis straw under an integrated crop-livestock system. The evaluations were performed using litterbags collected at 0, 15, 40, 110, […]