Annual crop rotation of tropical pastures with no-till soil as affectedby lime surface application.

Soil acidity and low natural fertility are the main limiting factors for grain production in tropical regionssuch as the Brazilian Cerrado. The application of lime to the surface of no-till soil can improve plant nutrition, dry matter production, crop yields and revenue. The present study, conducted at the Lageado Experimental Farm in Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil, is part of an ongoing research project initi-ated in 2002 to evaluate the long-term effects of the surface application of lime on the soil?s chemical attributes, nutrition and kernel/grain yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea), white oat (Avena sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) inter cropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu), as well as the forage dry matter yield of palisade grass in winter/spring, its crude protein concentration, estimated meat production, and revenue in a tropical region with a dry winter during four growing seasons. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments consisted of four rates of lime application (0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 kg ha−1), performed in November 2004. The surface application of limestone to the studied tropical no-till soil was efficient in reducing soil acidity from the surface down to a depth of 0.60 m and resulted in greater availability of P and K at the soil surface. Ca and Mg availability in the soil also increased with the lime application rate, up to a depth of 0.60 m. Nutrient absorption was enhanced with liming, especially regarding the nutrient uptake of K, Ca and Mg by plants.Significant increases in the yield components and kernel/grain yields of peanut, white oat and maize were obtained through the surface application of limestone. The lime rates estimated to achieve the maximum grain yield, especially in white oat and maize, were very close to the rates necessary to increase the base saturation of a soil sample collected at a depth of 0?0.20 m to 70%, indicating that the surface liming of 2000 kg ha−1is effective for the studied tropical no-till soil. This lime rate also increases the forage dry matter yield, crude protein concentration and estimated meat production during winter/spring in the maize-palisade grass inter cropping, provides the highest total and mean net profit during the four growing seasons, and can improve the long-term sustainability of tropical agriculture in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Inoculação de bactérias diazotroficas e fungos micorrizico-arbusculares na cultura da mandioca

A versatilidade da mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) em adaptar-se a solos de baixa fertilidade, apesar de possuir alto requerimento de nutrientes, tem sido relacionada à ocorrência de associações com os fungos micorrízico-arbusculares (FMA) e a bactérias diazotróficas. Visando avaliar o efeito da inoculação dos FMA e das bactérias diazotróficas, foi conduzido um experimento com plântulas micropropagadas em vasos de 3,5 litros de volume, com solo arenoso desinfestado como substrato. A inoculação das bactérias diazotróficas não apresentou efeito estimulatório, ao passo que inoculações dos FMA isoladamente e em conjunto com bactéria incrementaram todos os parâmetros de crescimento e nutricionais. A inoculação dos FMA, com a Bactéria E, aumentou a parte aérea e as raízes em até 50% e 105%, respectivamente, em relação à inoculação exclusiva com FMA. Efeitos sinergísticos também foram observados no acúmulo de N da parte aérea e das raízes com aumento de até 88% e 173% e no de fósforo em até 83% e 158%, respectivamente. A co-inoculação da Bactéria E com Glomus clarum também aumentou a colonização micorrízica em 40% e a esporulação em 168%, comparada à inoculação do fungo isolado. Estes efeitos benéficos podem ocorrer tanto pela maior absorção de nutrientes pela planta, como pelo estímulo na colonização dos fungos MA.

Growth and symbiosis of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil submitted to biochar application.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which is intrinsically present or may be introduced in soils by inoculation, is an example of natural and renewable resource to increase plant nutrient uptake. This kind of fungi produces structures (hyphae, arbuscles and sometimes vesicles) inside the plant root cortex. This mutualistic relationship promotes plant gains in terms of water and nutrient absorption (mainly phosphorus). Biochar can benefit plant interaction with AMF, however, it can contain potentially toxic compounds such as heavy metals and organic compounds (e.g. dioxins, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), depending on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, which may damage organisms. For these reasons, the present work will approach the impacts of biochar application on soil attributes, AMF-plant symbiosis and its responses in plant growth and phosphorus uptake. Eucalyptus biochar produced at high temperatures increases sorghum growth; symbiosis with AMF; and enhances spore germination. Enhanced plant growth in the presence of high temperature biochar and AMF is a response of root branching stimulated by an additive effect between biochar characteristics and root colonization. Biochar obtained at low temperature reduces AMF spore germination; however it does not affect plant growth and symbiosis in soil.