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Abstract The increase in prices of fertilizers, energy and other materials necessary for the industry triggered a global economic crisis. Reason that was investigated on the biological and chemical characteristics in relation to the yield of radish nourished with humus from plant residue. The objective was to determine the appropriate dose of humus to obtain greater yield and its relationship with the chemical and biological characteristics of the radish. It is based on applied methodology with an experimental approach; Therefore, the Completely Random Block Design model was used, which consisted of 3 blocks and 5 treatments that were T1 with 0, T2 with 4, T3 with 6, T4 with 8 and T5 with 10 t/ha of humus and They applied 15 days after sowing. The physical characteristics of the radish were evaluated and processed using analysis of variance and Duncan. Concentration of elements in leaves and stomatal density were also analyzed. It was determined that T5 stood out in total plant length with 28.95 cm, plant weight with 76.87 g, equatorial diameter with 4,404 cm and commercial yield with 20,296 t/ha. Nitrogen consumption in relation to yield with 247.44 kg/ha. Stomatal density 459 stomata/mm2 and profitability with 150% and nutrient concentration in leaves highlighted T4 with N, K, Ca, Mg, Mo and Zn. It concludes that T5 stood out with 20,296 t/ha, which differed by 26.04% in relation to the control (T1) with 15,011 t/ha. Therefore, this dose added nutrients to the soil that improved the availability for plant absorption and this influenced the concentration of nutrients in leaves such as N, P and Fe and stomatal density with 459 stomata/mm2, which had a response in good development, strengthening against environmental stress and therefore greater performance.

At present, East Taihu Lake has been profoundly affected by human interventions. However, the earlier limnological conditions such as the occurrence of temporal nodes and the cause of eutrophication remain unclear due to the short temporal range covered by the instrumental record. The stable carbon isotope ratio of plant residue α-cellulose (δ13Ccellulose) is a sensitive proxy indicator of palaeoproductivity, but this proxy index is rarely used in Chinese lakes. In order to test whether δ13Ccellulose can be used as a lake ecological environment changes indicator, we investigated the relationship between the δ13Ccellulose and several geochemical proxies from a ∼ 30 cm core extending 100 years obtained from a shallow lake: East Taihu Lake, China. Here, the changes in δ13Ccellulose of plant residues in sediments from East Taihu Lake were coupled analysis with geochemistry indexes to identify the response of δ13Ccellulose from plant residues to the past environmental changes. Combined with the results of C/N ratios, δ13Ccellulose and other related studies, the big plant residues in the sediments of East Taihu Lake may be derived from autochthonous aquatic macrophytes. In addition, the δ13Ccellulose showed a significant negative correlation with total organic carbon, probably indicating the changes of primary productivity of the lake. The δ13Ccellulose and geochemical proxy records revealed that the environmental changes in East Taihu Lake have undergone three distinct periods. The first period (1900s-1960s) represented a natural state without intensive human disturbance. The acceleration of lake eutrophication from the middle period (1960s-1995s) was a consequence of intensive local human activities. The late stage (1995s-2010s) represented a minor decline in nutrient levels after the implementation of ecological protection and restoration. By comparing the results with historical documents and measurements from East Taihu Lake, we inferred that anthropogenic pressures were the primary cause of the changes in the aquatic macrophyte communities and environments. This study provides a unique approach to the ecological environment evolution of East Taihu Lake. At present, Taihu Lake still suffers from annual cyanobacterial blooms due to economic growth (urbanization and industrialization). There is an urgent need for interventions to reduce nutrient inputs in order to enhance ecosystem resilience. Finally, the results of study of East Taihu Lake in China reveal the potential of combining δ13Ccellulose and other geochemical proxies to study palaeoenvironmental change, which provides new perspectives for understanding lake ecological environmental change in lakes.

Regular rice transplanting due to flooding, puddling and leveling has a negative impact on the soil structure, chemical properties and soil microbial activity. Therefore, the study was conducted on the effect of residues of pre-sowing some plants on quantitative and qualitative yield of rice in crop rotation. The experiment was conducted as split plots based on a randomized complete blocks design with four replications in Sari region during 2016 and 2017. Six crop rotation levels including fallow (control), faba bean, clover, perko, buko, and clover + ramtil + phaselia were used as main plots and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer including no consumption (control), 50% less than recommendation amount, recommendation amount based on soil test and 50% more than recommendation amount were 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha of urea source as a sub plots, respectively According to the findings, the highest paddy yield (5147 kg/ha) was obtained for perko pre-sowing with 100 kg urea consumption per hectare, and pre-sowing of buko and multiple of clover + ramtil + phaselia was ranked next with 100 kg urea consumption per hectare. Totally, the highest paddy yield was achieved with pre-sowing of perko, buko, multiple of clover + ramtil + phaselia and clover and nitrogen consumption equals 100 kg urea per hectare. But, in pre-sowing of faba beans and fallow, the highest paddy yield was obtained with nitrogen consumption higher than recommendation amount (150 kg/ha). The highest protein yield was attributed to perko and buko pre-sowing. Moreover, the highest conversion efficiency, amylose content and gel consistency were obtained with perko pre-sowing, and these parameters got ranked next with pre-sowing of buko, clover + ramtil + phaselia, clover and faba bean, respectively.

Nowadays, there are huge amounts of lignocellulosic materials left in agroforestry practice, which can be transformed into useful products. Biomass exploitation could be aiming not only at replacing conventional energy sources but also at preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Five micromycetes were studied with goal to determine their potential to produce active cellulases as well as the ability to decompose pretreated wheat straw and oak sawdust after seven days of solid-state fermentation. Wheat straw was better lignocellulosic substrate than oak sawdust for the production of cellulases in all five micromycetes. Thus, Penicillium solitum BEOFB 1190m has shown to be the best producer of highly active forms of xylanases (7532.36 ± 89.37 U/L). The most active endo- and exocellulases (2299.70 ± 72.17 U/L and 195.66 ± 4.64 U/L, respectively) were produced by Trichoderma harzianum BEOFB 1230m, while the maximal value of β-glucosidase activity (215.69 ± 3.13 U/L) was detected after Fusarium graminearum BEOFB 820m cultivation. T. harzianum also showed high efficiency in wheat straw cellulose and hemicellulose depolymerization (23.90% and 33.00%, respectively), which resulted in the highest dry matter loss (36.25%). The results of the study showed great potential of tested micromycetes to synthesize cellulolytic enzymes and consequently transform abundant, low-cost plant residues such as wheat straw into useful products including biofuel.

Abstract A continuous rise in the global demand for palm oil has resulted in the large‐scale expansion of oil palm plantations and generated environmental controversy. Efforts to increase the sustainability of oil palm cultivation include the recycling of oil mill and pruning residues in the field, but this may increase soil methane (CH4) emissions. This study reports the results of yearlong field‐based measurements of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) and CH4 emissions from commercial plantations in North Sumatra, Indonesia. One experiment investigated the effects of soil‐water saturation on N2O and CH4 emissions from inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments by simulating 25 mm rainfall per day for 21 days. Three additional experiments focused on emissions from (a) inorganic fertilizer (urea), (b) combination of enriched mulch with urea and (c) organic amendments (empty fruit bunches, enriched mulch and pruned oil palm fronds) applied in different doses and spatial layouts (placed in inter‐row zones, piles, patches or bands) for a full year. The higher dose of urea led to a significantly higher N2O emissions with the emission factors ranging from 2.4% to 2.7% in the long‐term experiment, which is considerably higher than the IPCC standard of 1%. Organic amendments were a significant source of both N2O and CH4 emissions, but N2O emissions from organic amendments were 66%–86% lower than those from inorganic fertilizers. Organic amendments applied in piles emitted 63% and 71% more N2O and CH4, respectively, than when spread out. With twice the dose of organic amendments, cumulative emissions were up to three times greater. The (simulated) rainwater experiment showed that the increase in precipitation led to a significant increase in N2O emissions significantly, suggesting that the time of fertilization is a critical management option for reducing emissions. The results from this study could therefore help guide residue and nutrient management practices to reduce emissions while ensuring better nutrient recycling for sustainable oil palm production systems.

Banana Fusarium wilt-suppressive soils are effective against pathogen invasion, yet soil physicochemical factors responsible for conducive or suppressive behavior have not been reported. Here, we investigated the changes in banana biomass, disease incidence (DI), soil culturable microbes and physicochemical properties by incorporating pepper and banana residues into conducive and suppressive soils. Before the incorporation of any residues, the suppressive soil significantly increased banana biomass and decreased DI compared to the conducive soil. The biomass of the suppressive soil was significantly higher than that of the conducive soil after the incorporation of either pepper or banana residues. Compared with the control (CK), the incorporation of pepper residues to both soils significantly reduced DI, while banana residues had the opposite effect. Additionally, both conducive and suppressive soils supplemented with pepper residues significantly reduced the amounts of culturable Fusarium oxysporum and increased the amounts of beneficial Pseudomonas and Bacillus. The pepper residue extracts significantly inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum mycelium. Soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) responded most strongly to residue application to suppressive soil. The AN factor was significantly and positively correlated with banana biomass; however, there was no direct and significant negative correlation with DI. Further analysis of the results showed that elevated AN content could stimulate the amounts of culturable Bacillus in the soil, and Bacillus antagonized the proliferation of pathogen and thus indirectly and effectively reduced banana DI. In conclusion, soil AN content can indirectly improve the disease suppression ability of pepper-residue-mediated suppressive soil by manipulating the soil microbiome.

Within the domain of phytoremediation research, the proper disposal of harvestable plant parts, that remove pollutants from contaminated soil, has been attracted extensive attention. Here, the bioenergy generation capability of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, and As) polluted plants was assessed. The biogas production potential of accumulators or hyperaccumulator plants, Elsholtzia haichowensis, Sedum alfredii, Solanum nigrum, Phytolacca americana and Pteris vittata were 259.2 ± 1.9, 238.7 ± 4.2, 135.9 ± 0.9, 129.5 ± 2.9 and 106.8 ± 2.1 mL/g, respectively. The presence of Cu (at approximately 1000 mg/kg) increased the cumulative biogas production, the daily methane production and the methane yield of E. haichowensis. For S. alfredii, the presence of Zn (≥500 mg/kg) showed a significant negative impact on the methane content in biogas, and the daily methane production, which decreased the biogas and methane yield. The biogas production potential increased when the content of Mn was at 5 000–10,000 mg/kg, subsequently, decreased when the value of Mn at 20,000 mg/kg. However, Cd (1–200 mg/kg), Pb (125–2000 mg/kg) and As (1250–10,000 mg/kg) showed no distinctive change in the cumulative biogas production of S. nigrum, S. alfredii and P. vittata, respectively. The methane yield showed a strong positive correlation (R2 =0.9704) with cumulative biogas production, and the energy potential of the plant residues were at 415–985 kWh/ton. Thus, the anaerobic digestion has bright potential for the disposal of trace metal contaminated plants, and has promising prospects for the use in energy production.

Flood increases due to an increase in river overflow which affects on abiotic and biotic factors. The preliminary study of flood-affected crops was carried out in flood-affected cropland of Koshi Tappu Region of Eastern Nepal. For the experiment the plant residues of Eichhornia crassipes and Sesbania rostrata and inorganic fertilizer were selected to examine the growth and yield in Vigna unguiculata. The appropriate treatments for the production of V. unguiculata were analyzed. Before applying treatments, soil was collected and analyzed for physicochemical, microbial biomass and available nitrogen. Soil texture, soil moisture, water holding capacity and bulk density (BD) were calculated. The parameters such as soil pH organic carbon, organic matter and total nitrogen were determined. Soil microbe increases the significance of organic carbon and soil nitrogen is correlated for growth and yield. The results showed that the combined urea and plant residue increases the highest yield. And the Eichhornia compost represents the highest leaf area index and biomass. The total pod production was found in the Echhhornia compost. The dry weight per single pod in Eichhornia fresh was 7.82 g and in Sesbania fresh was 7.42 g. It proves that the land pattern is significant for the soil organic compounds. The experiment showed that the use of plant residues enhanced the increase of physicochemical properties of soil by adding the nutrients. The combined Urea + Eichhornia supports the best growth and development of the plant. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4338159

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different amounts of black oat (Avena strigosa) straw covering soil surface on soil temperature at different depths. The treatments consisted of 0, 3, 6, and 9 Mg ha-1 straw. Soil temperature was measured hourly by a thermocouple inserted at different depths (0, 5, 15, 30, and 50 cm) and was used to adjust an equation correlating the temperature of covered soil with that of bare soil. With the correlations, it was possible to observe a point value of temperature (inversion temperature of straw effect), below which the presence of straw acts positively on the maintenance of soil temperature and above which the presence of straw acts negatively on soil heating.

Organic matter has low N content; however, organic matter may be enriched by inoculation with selected diazotrophic bacteria. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the effects of biofertilizer produced by mixing different types and proportions of organic matter inoculated with the diazotrophic bacteria Beijerinckia indica. The experiment consisted of plastic trays (6 L) containing 5 kg of three different types of organic matter (filter mud cake, earthworm compost, and crop residue) applied in the following proportions (v:v:v): 1-(5:0:0), 2-(4:1:0), 3-(4:0:1), 4-(3:2:0), 5-(3:1:1), 6-(3:0:2), 7-(2:3:0), 8-(2:2:1), 9-(2:1:2), 10-(2:0:3), 11-(1:4:0), 12-(1:3:1), 13-(1:2:2), 14-(1:1:3), 15-(1:0:4), 16-(0:5:0), 17-(0:4:1), 18-(0:1:4), 19-(0:3:2), 20-(0:2:3), and 21-(0:0:5). Samples were collected following inoculation with B. indica at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of the maturation phase. The chemical analyses were: pH (H2O), total C and N, available P and K, and exchangeable Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2. The treatments with the best results showed significant effects following the maturation phase. The exceptions were C and N, which presented only individual effects. In general, the organic matter proportions (5:0:0), (3:2:0), and (2:3:0) resulted in a significant increase in the availability of nutrients. Biofertilizers with optimal organic matter proportions may be used to produce organic substrates that are more effective and have the potential to be applied as alternatives to soluble NPK fertilizers.

Through field experiments and empirical analysis methods, this study determined the dependence of plant residue removal on the row cleaner’s settings in strip-tillage. The main research object of this study is row cleaners. By changing the slip angles (10, 15, and 22.5°), the gap between row cleaner discs in parallel (165, 180, and 195 mm), and the driving speed (1.3, 1.9, 2.5, and 3.1 m s−1), we determined what percentage of wheat residue was removed from the strip on the surface of the soil and what distance it was moved. The percentage of removed plant residue was determined by evaluating the differences between the masses of the plant residue taken from non-removed and removed strips. Empirical analysis of the results of the field experiments showed that both the amount of the removed plant residue and the distance it is moved to were the best when the slip angle was 15°, the gap between the discs of row cleaner was 180 mm, and the driving speed was 2.5 m s−1. With these parameters, up to three-quarters of the plant residue was removed from the soil surface of the strip, which was relocated 308 mm from the middle of the strip. If the slip angle and the driving speed are increased further, even more plant residue can be removed; however, if the plant residue is relocated too far away, it may fall into the zone of the adjacent strip.

A eficiência da aplicação superficial de corretivos pode ser melhorada por meio de compostos orgânicos, quantificados através dos cátions hidrossolúveis, liberados por resíduos vegetais. Porém, não se sabe se os teores desses compostos podem ser modificados pela aplicação de calcário e silicato. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da aplicação superficial de calcário e silicato no teor de cátions solúveis e condutividade elétrica do extrato da parte aérea das culturas de soja, milheto, aveia branca, braquiária, milho, feijão e guandu. O experimento foi conduzido entre 2006 e 2008 em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico em Botucatu-SP, em sistema de semeadura direta consolidado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com dezesseis repetições. Os tratamentos foram 3,8 t ha-1 de calcário dolomítico, 4,1 t.ha-1 de silicato de cálcio e magnésio e uma testemunha, sem aplicação de corretivos no solo. Foram determinados os teores de cátions hidrossolúveis e a condutividade elétrica da parte aérea das culturas. Variações nos teores e na somatória de cátions hidrossolúveis não foram detectadas pela condutividade elétrica dos extratos vegetais da parte aérea das culturas. A aplicação dos corretivos elevou os teores de Ca2+ e Mg2+ solúveis nos extratos dos resíduos de soja, aveia e milheto; para o milho, houve elevação nos teores de Mg2+; além de aumento nos teores de Mn2+ nos resíduos do primeiro ano de braquiária, não havendo, entretanto, influência nos teores nas culturas de feijão, guandu e braquiária no segundo ano.The efficiency of the surface application of correctives can be improved by means of organic compounds, quantified by water-soluble cations released by plant residue. However, it is unclear whether the levels of these compounds can be modified by the application of limestone and silicate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the surface application of limestone and silicate on the levels of soluble cations and the electrical conductivity of the extract from the shoots of soybean, millet, oats, brachiaria, maize, beans and pigeon pea. The experiment was carried out between 2006 and 2008 in dystrophic red latosol in Botucatu SP, under a system of consolidated direct seeding. The experimental design was of randomized blocks, with sixteen replications. The treatments were 3.8 t ha-1 of dolomitic limestone, 4.1t ha-1 of calcium silicate and magnesium, and a control with no application of correctives to the soil. The levels of water-soluble cations, and the electrical conductivity of the crop shoots were determined. Variations in the levels and sum of water-soluble cations were not detected through the electrical conductivity of the shoot extract. The application of correctives increased the levels of soluble Ca2+ and Mg2+ in extracts from the residue of soybean, oats, and millet; for maize, there was an increase in the concentrations of Mg2+; in addition to increased levels of Mn2+ in the first-year brachiaria residue, with no influence however, on the levels in bean, pigeon pea and brachiaria crops in the second year.

Two laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of sugar cane straw on soil acidity. Sugar cane straw residues were added on the surface of a Typic Harplortox in a polyvinyl chlorid (PVC) column at rates of 0, 20, 40, and 76 g kg-1, the soil was incubated to field capacity with distilled water and incubated for 0, 7, 14, 45, and 90 days. Soil samples were taken at 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25 cm depth. With the increase of sugar cane straw rates one verified the increase of soil pH CaCl2, and decrease of KCl exchangeable Al in the top 15cm soil layer. The contribution of organic compounds to Al detoxification incresead with increasing sugar cane straw rates. Wheat root elongation used as acid indicator plant increased with increasing sugar cane straw rates. Maximum root growth was about 15cm long in the soil after eight days for the highest sugar cane straw rate.Conduziram-se dois experimentos em laboratório avaliar o efeito da palha da cana- de-açúcar na acidez do solo. A palha da cana foi adicionada nas doses de 0, 20, 40, e 76 g kg-1 na superfície de um latossolo roxo distrófico acondicionado em colunas de PVC. O solo foi incubado a capacidade de campo durante 0, 7, 14, 45, e 90 dias. Após cada incubação, o solo das colunas foram subdividido e amostrado nas seguintes frações 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, e 20-25 cm. Com o aumento da dose da palha da cana verificou-se aumento do pH CaCl2 do solo e decréscimo do alumínio trocável até a camada de 15 cm de solo da coluna de PVC. A contribuição de compostos orgânicos para a destoxificação do Al aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha da cana. O crescimento da raiz das plantas trigo usadas como planta indicadora aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha de cana. O máximo de crescimento da raiz foi até a camada de 15 cm de solo depois de oito dias para a maior dose de palha da cana-de-açúcar.

A acidez do solo no sistema plantio direto pode ser minimizada com aplicação superficial de calcário. Tal prática é favorecida pela permanência de restos vegetais na superfície do solo, pela liberação de compostos orgânicos hidrossolúveis, que variam de planta para planta. Por isso foi instalado um experimento em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (V = 41 %) em Botucatu (SP), objetivando avaliar os efeitos da aplicação superficial de calcário dolomítico na concentração de cátions solúveis nos resíduos vegetais das culturas de milheto, feijão e aveia preta em dois anos agrícolas (2002/2003 e 2003/2004). No caso do feijoeiro, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram representadas por cultivares de feijão (Carioca, IAC Carioca Eté, Pérola, IAPAR 81 e Campeão 2), enquanto as subparcelas foram formadas por doses de calcário dolomítico (sem aplicação, 1,8; 3,6 e 5,4 t ha-1). Para o milheto e aveia preta foram consideradas apenas as doses como fator. Foram avaliados os teores de Ca, Mg, K e Mn na parte aérea de todas as culturas, bem como a condutividade elétrica no extrato. Os resultados evidenciaram que os teores de Ca, K e Mg solúveis na parte aérea das culturas anuais avaliadas não foram alterados com a aplicação superficial de doses de calcário dolomítico. As culturas do milheto e feijão apresentaram maior teor de cátions solúveis na parte aérea, quando comparado ao da aveia preta.Soil acidity in no-tillage systems can be amended by surface liming. This practice is favored by plant residues on the soil surface, which release water-soluble organic compounds that vary among plant species. The experiment was conducted on a Typic Hapludox (V = 41 %) in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of surface liming on the concentration of soluble cations in millet, common bean and black-oat crop residues in two growing seasons (2002/03 and 2003/04). For common bean, a randomized complete block design in split plots with four repetitions was used; the plots were common bean cultivars (Carioca, IAC Carioca Eté, Pérola, IAPAR 81 and Campeão 2) and the subplots were surface application of increasing dolomitic lime rates (0, 1.8; 3.6 e 5.4 t ha-1), in October 2002. For millet and black-oat only the rates were considered as studied factors. The concentration of Ca, Mg, K, and Mn, and electrical conductivity were analyzed in the shoot. The water-soluble cation concentration in the evaluated crops was not affected by surface application of lime. The water-soluble cation concentration in millet and common bean shoot residues were higher than that of black-oat.

A eficiência da calagem superficial pode ser melhorada por meio de compostos orgânicos hidrossolúveis liberados por resíduos vegetais. No entanto, não se sabe se os teores desses compostos nos resíduos das culturas podem ser modificados pela aplicação de calcário e gesso em superfície. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos das aplicações de calcário e gesso em superfície sobre os teores de cátions solúveis nos resíduos vegetais das culturas de arroz, feijão e aveia-preta. O experimento foi realizado em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico de Botucatu (SP). O delineamento foi de blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por quatro doses de calcário dolomítico (0, 1.100, 2.700 e 4.300 kg ha-1) e as subparcelas, pela aplicação ou não de 2.100 kg ha-1 de gesso agrícola. Para as culturas de verão foi utilizado esquema de parcela subsubdividida. As subsubparcelas foram constituídas por dois cultivares de arroz de terras altas (Caiapó e IAC 202), no ano agrícola 2002/03, e dois cultivares de feijão (Pérola e Carioca), em 2003/04. A aveia-preta foi cultivada no inverno dos dois anos, utilizando apenas o cultivar Comum. Os teores de cátions solúveis na parte aérea das culturas de arroz, feijão e aveia-preta foram alterados pela aplicação de calcário e gesso em superfície. A gessagem em superfície aumentou os teores solúveis de Ca e reduziu o de Mg na parte aérea das culturas, principalmente nas primeiras safras após a aplicação. A calagem aumentou os teores de cátions solúveis na parte aérea de todas as culturas. As culturas do feijão e da aveia-preta apresentaram maiores teores de cátions solúveis nos resíduos da parte aérea, avaliados no florescimento.Surface liming efficiency can be increased through water-soluble organic compounds released by plant residues. However, it is unknown if the contents of these compounds in crop residues can be modified by lime and phosphogypsum surface applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of lime and phosphogypsum surface applications on the content of water-soluble cations in crop residues of rice, common bean and black oat. The experiment was carried out on a Haplorthox located in Botucatu County, São Paulo State, Brazil. A randomized complete block design, in a split-plot scheme and four replications was used. The plots consisted of four dolomitic limestone levels (0; 1,100; 2,700; and 4,300 kg ha-1). The subplots were represented by the presence or absence of phosphogypsum application (2,100 kg ha-1). For the summer crops a split-split-plot scheme was used. The subsubplots were constituted by two upland rice cultivars (Caiapó and IAC 202), in the growing season of 2002/03, and two common bean cultivars (Carioca and Pérola), in the 2003/2004 growing season. In the winter season of 2003 and 2004, black oat was grown on the entire area, using only one cultivar. The water-soluble cation content in rice shoots, common bean and black oat crops were affected by lime and phosphogypsum surface applications. Surface application of phosphogypsum increased Ca and decreased Mg water-soluble contents in crop shoots, mainly in the first years of cultivation. Surface liming increased the water-soluble cation contents in all crop shoots. The highest water-soluble cation contents in shoot residues were measured in common bean and black oat during flowering.

Os resíduos de plantas de cobertura podem mobilizar cátions no solo e beneficiar a ação da calagem superficial, por meio da liberação de ácidos orgânicos de baixo peso molecular da fração solúvel dos resíduos. Entretanto, faltam estudos no campo que comprovem tais efeitos em sistema plantio direto. Para avaliar as alterações químicas do solo e a resposta do milho e da soja com a aplicação de doses de calcário dolomítico na superfície (0,0, 2,5, 5,0 e 7,5 t ha-1), na ausência e na presença de cobertura de aveia preta, foi realizado um experimento em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico textura argilo-arenosa, há cinco anos no sistema plantio direto, em Ponta Grossa (PR). As doses de calcário foram aplicadas nas parcelas em novembro de 2000 e, nas subparcelas, foram realizados dois cultivos, sem e com aveia preta em 2001 e 2002, antecedendo as culturas de milho e soja. A massa de aveia preta produzida não foi influenciada pela aplicação de calcário, tendo-se obtido aproximadamente 4 t ha-1 de matéria seca de aveia, em 2001 e 2002. A calagem também não alterou a capacidade de neutralização do hidrogênio (482 mmol c kg-1), a soma de cátions solúveis (29,5 mmol c L-1) e a condutividade elétrica (1.230 µS cm-1) do extrato de aveia. O calcário aplicado na superfície aumentou o pH, Ca2+ e Mg2+ e reduziu o Al3+ do solo até à profundidade de 10 cm. O resíduo de aveia preta mantido na superfície do solo não ocasionou benefícios à ação da calagem superficial na correção da acidez de camadas do subsolo. A calagem superficial não modificou a nutrição do milho, reduziu as concentrações de Zn e Mn nas folhas de soja e não causou alterações no rendimento de milho e soja. A cobertura de aveia preta aumentou as concentrações de P, Ca e Mg, nas folhas de milho, de N e P, nas folhas de soja, e reduziu o Mn no tecido foliar de soja. A manutenção do resíduo de aveia preta sobre a superfície do solo aumentou o rendimento de milho, mas não influiu no rendimento de soja, cultivada após o milho, no sistema plantio direto.Cover crop residues mobilize cations and benefit the action of lime applied on the soil surface owing to the release of low molecular weight organic acids from the soluble fraction of residues. However, these effects in no-till system are yet to be confirmed in field studies. A five-year trial was carried out on a no-till dystrophic Rhodic Hapludox in Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil, with the aim of evaluating changes in chemical soil attributes, as well as the corn and soybean response to surface application of dolomitic lime (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 t ha-1), with and without black oat cover. Lime rates were applied onto the main plots in November 2000 and the treatments on the subplots consisted of the presence or absence of black oat in 2001 and 2002, preceding corn and soybean crops. Surface-applied lime did not influence the dry matter yield of black oat, which was approximately 4 t ha-1 in both 2001 and 2002 years. Liming did not affect the H+ ions neutralizing capacity (482 mmol c dm-3), the sum of soluble cations (29.5 mmol c L-1) or electric conductivity (1,230 µS cm-1) of the black oat extract either. Liming applied on the soil surface decreased exchangeable Al3+ and increased pH, exchangeable Ca2+ and exchangeable Mg2+ down to a 10 cm depth. Black oat residue on the soil surface under no-till did not benefit the mobility of surface-applied lime to alleviate subsoil acidity. Surface application of lime did not affect corn mineral nutrition or corn and soybean yields, but decreased Zn and Mn concentrations in soybean leaves. Cover black oat residue raised the P, Ca, and Mg concentrations in the corn and N and P in the soybean leaves and caused a decrease of Mn concentration in the soybean leaves. The black oat cover on the soil surface increased corn yield, but did not affect soybean yield, grown under no-till after corn.

A palhada das plantas de cobertura, mantida sobre o solo no plantio direto, representa uma reserva de nutrientes para cultivos subseqüentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a decomposição e a liberação de macronutrientes de resíduos de nabo forrageiro. O experimento foi realizado no campo, durante o ano de 1998, no Município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR. O nabo forrageiro foi dessecado e manejado com rolo-faca 30 dias após a emergência. Avaliaram-se a persistência de palhada e a liberação de nutrientes dos resíduos aos 0, 13, 35 e 53 dias após o manejo. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. O nabo forrageiro produziu, até o estádio de pré-florescimento, elevada quantidade de massa seca da parte aérea em cultivo de inverno (2.938 kg ha-1), acumulando 57,2, 15,3, 85,7, 37,4, 12,5 e 14,0 kg ha-1, respectivamente, de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S. O manejo do nabo forrageiro no estádio de pré-florescimento apresenta rápida degradação da palhada, acarretando liberação de quantidades significativas de macronutrientes. Os nutrientes disponibilizados em maior quantidade e velocidade para a cultura subseqüente, são o K e o N. A maior velocidade de liberação de macronutrientes pelo nabo forrageiro ocorre no período compreendido entre 10 e 20 dias após o manejo da fitomassa.Straw of covering plants kept on soil surface in no-tillage system is an important source of nutrients for subsequent tillage. The objective of this work was to evaluate decomposition and macronutrients release from forage turnip residues. The experiment was set under field conditions during 1998 in Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR, Brazil. Forage turnip plants were desiccated and lodged 30 days after emergence. Straw persistence and nutrient release were evaluated at 0, 13, 35 and 53 days after management. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. Until pre-flowering stage, the forage turnip showed a great dry matter yield (2,938 kg ha-1) during winter growing and 57.2, 15.3, 85.7, 37.4, 12.5 and 14.0 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were respectively accumulated. Forage turnip management at pre-flowering stage cause a quick straw degradation and macronutrients release. Potassium and nitrogen were released in the highest amounts and in the shortest time to the subsequent tillage. Quickest liberation of nutrients occurred between 10 to 20 days after plant management.

Water-soluble plant organic compounds have been proposed to be efficient in alleviating soil acidity. Laboratory methods were evaluated to estimate the efficiency of plant extracts to neutralize soil acidity. Plant samples were dried at 65ºC for 48 h and ground to pass 1 mm sieve. Plant extraction procedure was: transfer 3.0 g of plant sample to a becker, add 150 ml of deionized water, shake for 8 h at 175 rpm and filter. Three laboratory methods were evaluated: sigma (Ca+Mg+K) of the plant extracts; electrical conductivity of the plant extracts and titration of plant extracts with NaOH solution between pH 3 to 7. These methods were compared with the effect of the plant extracts on acid soil chemistry. All laboratory methods were related with soil reaction. Increasing sigma (Ca+Mg+K), electrical conductivity and the volume of NaOH solution spent to neutralize H+ ion of the plant extracts were correlated with the effect of plant extract on increasing soil pH and exchangeable Ca and decreasing exchangeable Al. It is proposed the electrical conductivity method for estimating the efficiency of plant extract to neutralize soil acidity because it is easily adapted for routine analysis and uses simple instrumentations and materials.Tem sido proposto que os compostos orgânicos de plantas solúveis em água são eficientes na amenização da acidez do solo. Foram avaliados métodos de laboratório para estimar a eficiência dos extratos de plantas na neutralização da acidez do solo. Os materiais de plantas foram secos a 65º C por 48 horas, moídos e passados em peneira de 1mm. Utilizou-se o seguinte procedimento para obtenção do extrato de plantas: transferir 3.0 g da amostra de planta para um becker, adicionar 150 ml de água deionizada, agitar por 8h a 175 rpm e filtrar. Avaliaram-se três métodos de laboratório: sigma (Ca + Mg + K) do extrato de planta, condutividade elétrica (CE) do extrato de planta e titulação do extrato de planta com solução de NaOH entre pH 3 a 7. Os métodos de laboratório foram comparados com o efeito dos extratos de plantas na reação do solo. Todos os métodos de laboratório foram correlacionados com a reação do solo: o aumento de sigma (Ca + Mg + K), Ce e o volume de NaOH gasto para neutralizar os íons H+ do extrato de plantas, foram correlacionados com o efeito nos aumentos de pH e Ca trocável e diminuição de Al trocável do solo. É proposto o método de CE para estimar a eficiência do extrato de plantas na neutralização da acidez do solo por ser facilmente adaptado para análise de rotina e por utilizar instrumentos e materiais simples.

The objective of this study was to re-evaluate some aspects of the relative importance of organic matter on Mn solubility in acid soil conditions. Field study showed that black oats, oil seed radish, elephant grass, lupin, leucaena, and coffee leaves serving as mulch decreased Mn solubility as compared with bare soil. The decrease in Mn solubility with plant mulch was related to increase in soil moisture content. Laboratory study showed that increasing temperature from 25 to 100ºC increased Mn solubility and total soil organic carbon was little changed; from 150 to 200ºC increased both Mn solubility and organic carbon oxidation, and up to 300ºC decreased Mn solubility and stoped organic carbon oxidation . Aluminum solubility always increased with increasing temperature. Organic matter exerted a control in both Mn and Al solubilities in acid soils.O estudo foi conduzido com objetivo de reavaliar alguns aspectos da importância relativa da matéria orgânica na solubilidade do Mn em solos ácidos. Em condição de campo cobertura morta com resíduos de aveia preta, nabo forrageiro, napier, tremoço, leucena e folhas de café diminuíram a solubilidade de Mn quando comparada com o solo descoberto. A redução na solubilidade do Mn em solo coberto com resíduos vegetais foi relacionada com o teor de umidade do solo. Estudos de laboratório demonstraram que o aumento da temperatura de 25 para 100ºC aumentou a solubilidade do Mn com pouca alteração no teor de carbono do solo; de 150 a 200ºC aumentou ambas a solubilidade do Mn e a oxidação do carbono orgânico e acima de 300ºC diminuiu a solubilidade do Mn e completou a oxidação do carbono orgânico. A solubilidade do Al sempre aumentou com a elevação da temperatura. A matéria orgânica influenciou diretamente a solubilidade do Mn e do Al.

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of water soluble plant extracts on soil acidity. The plant materials were: black oat, oil seed radish, white and blue lupin, gray and dwarf mucuna, Crotalaria spectabilis and C. breviflora, millet, pigeon pea, star grass, mato grosso grass, coffee leaves, sugar cane leaves, rice straw, and wheat straw. Plant extracts were added on soil surface in a PVC soil column at a rate of 1.0 ml min-1. Both soil and drainage water were analyzed for pH, Ca, Al, and K. Plant extracts applied on the soil surface increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca ex and Kex and decreased Al ex. Oil seed radish, black oat, and blue lupin were the best and millet the worst materials to alleviate soil acidity. Oil seed radish markedly increased Al in the drainage water. Chemical changes were associated with the concentrations of basic cations in the plant extract: the higher the concentration the greater the effects in alleviating soil acidity.Foram conduzidos experimentos de laboratórios para avaliar os efeitos de extratos de plantas solúveis em água na acidez do solo. Os materiais de plantas foram: aveia preta, nabo, tremoço branco e azul, mucuna cinza e anã, Crotalaria spectabilis e C. breviflora, milheto, guandu, grama estrela, grama mato grosso, folhas de café, folhas de cana-de-açúcar, palhada de arroz e palhada de trigo. Foi utilizado o seguinte procedimento para o extrato da planta solúvel em água: pesar 3g de material de planta, adicionar 150 ml de água, agitar por 8h e filtrar. Os extratos de plantas foram adicionados na superfície do solo em uma coluna de PVC (1 ml min-1). Após, adicionou-se água deionizada em quantidade equivalente a três volumes de poros. Os extratos de plantas aumentaram o pH, Ca e K trocável e diminuíram Al. Nabo, aveia preta e tremoço azul foram os melhores e milheto o pior material para amenizar a acidez do solo. Nabo aumentou Al na água de drenagem. As alterações químicas foram associadas com as concentrações de cátions básicos nos extratos de plantas: quanto maior a concentração maior o efeito na amenização da acidez do solo.

The low mobility of the soluble components of surface-applied lime, limits their ability to reduce subsoil acidity in variable charge soils. Laboratory experiments were conducted with brazilian Oxisol to evaluate the effect of oat extracts on the mobility of surface applied calcium in form of CaCO3. The following oat cultivars were evaluated: Argentina 5VL3, UPF 90H400-2, IAPAR 61, IA96101-b, SI 83400, EMBRAPA 29, LD 9102, FAPA 1, ER 93247, ER 90148, ER 89144, ER 93152, Alpha 94124, Alpha 94206 and Preta comum. Oat extracts and lime were applied at rates of 10 and 5 Mg ha-1, respectively. Effect of lime without plant extracts on soil acidity was limited in the upper 10 cm of the profile. Lime in the presence of oat extracts increased pH and Ca ex and decreased Al ex about 20cm deep. The SI83400 and UPF90H400-2 were the best oat extracts as Ca-carrier into the acid soil profile. The results suggested that soluble organic compounds from oat extracts are mobile and capable of detoxifying acid subsoil, by increasing liming efficiency.A baixa mobilidade dos componentes solúveis do calcário aplicado na superfície do solo limita a sua eficiência na redução da acidez das camadas subsuperficiais de solos com cargas variáveis. Foram conduzidos experimentos de laboratório com latossolo ácido para avaliar a eficiência de extratos de aveia na mobilidade do calcário aplicado na superfície do solo. Foram avaliadas as seguintes cultivares de aveia: Argentina 5VL3, UPF 90H400-2, IAPAR 61, IA96101-b, SI 83400, EMBRAPA 29, LD 9102, FAPA 1, ER 93247, ER 90148, ER 89144, ER 93152, Alpha 94124, Alpha 94206 and Preta comum. O calcário e a aveia foram aplicados em doses equivalentes a 5 e 10 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. O efeito da calagem sem resíduos vegetais limitou-se nos 10 cm superficiais do solo. A calagem na presença de extratos de aveia aumentou o pH e Ca-trocável e diminuiu Al-trocável até 25 cm de profundidade. As cultivares SI 83400 e UPF 90H400-2 foram as melhores transportadoras de Ca no perfil do solo. Os resultados sugerem que compostos solúveis contidos nos extratos de aveia, melhoram a eficiência do calcário aplicado na superfície dos solos.

Plant residue of forest nurseries is among the best available raw materials for producing compost to amend and strengthen forest nurseries soil. The size of raw materials has a major effect on shortening the time of composting as well as on increasing its quality. The mechanism, availability and working convenience with the threshers in different site conditions to convert plant residue into small pieces that are suitable for composting shows the suitability of threshers for such tasks. In this research, two kinds of knives with flat and sharp edges applicable to threshers were designed and applied to study the crushing quality of common plant residues. Treatments included pine cones, branches of deciduous, pine branches, coarse plants, herbs and pine needles. The performance of both flat and sharp edge knives were evaluated in a design with three repetitions. For most samples, the results showed that performance of the sharp knife exceeded that of flat knife. The crushing quality of different materials in different dimensions were significantly different at the α = 0.01 level. The time performance of sharp knife with an average mean 0.069290 kg per second was far better than flat knife with an average mean of 0.035661 kg per second. Sharp knife performed best for grinding pine cones with an average 0.01321 kg per second. Generally, more uniform and brittle plant residue can be crushed in a shorter time. Finally, the efficiency of threshers system with the designed knife is acceptable and suitable for the crushing of plant residue.

A falta de Ca e a presença de Al na subsuperfície do solo restringem o crescimento das raízes. A eficiência da calagem aplicada na superfície do solo na neutralização da acidez subsuperficial é limitada. Foram conduzidos experimentos de laboratório com colunas de PVC para avaliar técnicas orgânicas e inorgânicas na mobilidade do Ca em solo com carga variável. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos com sais de Ca: CaCO3, CaSO4, Ca(NO3)2, Ca-acetato e Ca-citrato, e outro com CaCO3 associado com resíduos de aveia preta, trigo e leucena. Avaliaram-se os teores de Ca trocável em solucão de KCl 1M nas profundidades de 0 a 5, 5 a 10, 10 a 20, 20 a 30, 30 a 40 e 40 a 50cm. A eficiência dos sais na mobilidade de Ca seguiu a ordem: NO3 > Acetado > Citrato > SO4 > CO3. Os resíduos de plantas forma eficientes na mobilização do Ca na seguinte ordem: aveia > leucena > trigo. Atribuiu-se à formação de complexos organo-metálico a responsabilidade pela mobilização do Ca no solo associada com a calagem e os resíduos vegetais.Lack of Ca and often the presence of Al in subsoil restrict crop-root proliferation. The efficacy of soil surface liming in neutralize subsoil acidity is limited. Laboratory experiments were conducted with leaching columns to evaluate some organic and inorganic techniques to accelerate the mobility of Ca in a variable charge soil. Two different experiments were conducted, one with Ca-salts: CaCO3, CaSO4, Ca(NO3)2, Ca-acetate, and Ca-citrate; and another one with CaCO3 plus plant residues: black oat (Avena strigosa), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). The observations included MKCl exchangeable Ca in 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40 and 40 to 50 cm soil depth. The effects of CaCO3 without plant residue was limited to the upper 10 cm of the profile. The efficacy of Ca-salts on the mobility of Ca ex followed the order: NO3 > Acetate > Citrate > SO4 > CO3. Plant residues were highly efficient as Ca-carrier in the following order black oat > leucaena > wheat. Metal-organic complexes were assumed to be responsible for the movement of Ca in the profile associated with lime and plant residues.