Photosynthetic and anatomical responses of Eucalyptus grandis leaves to potassium and sodium supply in a field experiment

Although vast areas in tropical regions have weathered soils with low potassium (K) levels, little is known about the effects of K supply on the photosynthetic physiology of trees. This study assessed the effects of K and sodium (Na) supply on the diffusional and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis in Eucalyptus grandis leaves. A field experiment comparing treatments receiving K (+K) or Na (+Na) with a control treatment (C) was set up in a K-deficient soil. The net CO2 assimilation rates were twice as high in +K and 1.6 times higher in +Na than in the C as a result of lower stomatal and mesophyll resistance to CO2 diffusion and higher photosynthetic capacity. The starch content was higher and soluble sugar was lower in +K than in C and +Na, suggesting that K starvation disturbed carbon storage and transport. The specific leaf area, leaf thickness, parenchyma thickness, stomatal size and intercellular air spaces increased in +K and +Na compared to C. Nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations were also higher in +K and +Na than in C. These results suggest a strong relationship between the K and Na supply to E. grandis trees and the functional and structural limitations to CO2 assimilation rates. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Evaluation of biochemical and redox parameters in rats fed with corn grown in soil amended with urban sewage sludge

The increased production of urban sewage sludge requires alternative methods for final disposal. A very promising choice is the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer in agriculture, since it is rich in organic matter, macro and micronutrients. However, urban sewage sludge may contain toxic substances that may cause deleterious effects on the biota, water and soil, and consequently on humans. There is a lack of studies evaluating how safe the consumption of food cultivated in soils containing urban sewage sludge is. Thus, the aim of this paper was to evaluate biochemical and redox parameters in rats fed with corn produced in a soil treated with urban sewage sludge for a long term. For these experiments, maize plants were grown in soil amended with sewage sludge (rates of 5, 10 and 20. t/ha) or not (control). Four different diets were prepared with the corn grains produced in the field experiment, and rats were fed with these diets for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) as well the redox state biomarkers such as reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, glutathione peroxidase and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were assessed. Our results show no differences in the biomarkers over 1 or 2 weeks. However, at 4 weeks BuChE activity was inhibited in rats fed with corn grown in soil amended with sewage sludge (5, 10 and 20. t/ha), while MDA levels increased. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to corn cultivated in the highest amount per hectare of sewage sludge (8 and 12 weeks) was associated with an increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH levels, respectively. Our findings add new evidence of the risks of consuming food grown with urban sewage sludge. However, considering that the amount and type of toxic substances present in urban sewage sludge varies considerably among different sampling areas, further studies are needed to evaluate sludge samples collected from different sources and/or undergoing different types of treatment. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Influence of field slope and coffee plantation age on the physical properties of a red-yellow Latosol

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sugarcane trash management assessed by the interaction of yield with soil properties

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Soil microbial biomass after two years of the consecutive application of composted tannery sludge

Because the agricultural use of tannery sludge may cause increased risks to soils, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternative for tannery sludge recycling. Experiments were conducted under field conditions to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on the soil microbial biomass and trace elements after two years of consecutive applications. The following five treatments were used: 0 (without CTS application), 5, 10, 20 and 40 ton ha-1 of CTS (dry basis). Soil samples were collected at 60 days after the CTS application at 0-20 cm depth. The CTS application promoted changes in the soil microbial biomass C (SMB-C) and N (SMB-N). In the first year, significant increases in the SMB-C and SMB-N were observed with the application of 10 ton ha-1. Furthermore, CTS application increased the Cr content in the soil after two years of application.

Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel, and Lead in a Tropical Soil after 3 Years of Consecutive Applications of Composted Tannery Sludge

Agricultural use of tannery sludge (TS) may increase risks to soils. Thus, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternatives for TS recycling. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) accumulation in soil after 3 years. Soil samples were collected 60 days after CTS application. After 3 years, The CTS increased Cr and Ni content, while Cd and Pb contents decreased. The third year, Cr contents showed linear increases as CTS rates were applied. The application of CTS, after 3 years, in the 2.5, 5, and 10 Mg ha(-1) increased Cr significantly (140.7%, 159.7%, and 19%, respectively) and Ni (32%, 53%, and 43.8%, respectively) contents in the soil surface layer. This means that consecutive amendments of CTS increase Cr contents in the soil and plants.

Applying boron to coconut palm plants: effects on the soil, on the plant nutritional status and on productivity boron to coconut palm trees

Boron, one of the micronutrients frequently found in low levels in tropical soils affects nutrition and productivity of coconut palm trees essentially cultivated in tropical climates. The objective of this research study was to evaluate the effect of boron on the nutritional status of the plant and its productivity when artificially applied to the culture soil. The experiment was carried out in a four year old, artificially irrigated, dwarf coconut palm orchard in Brazil, between January, 2005 and October, 2006. The soil was a red yellow Latosol (B: 0.18 mg dm(-3)). The treatments consisted in the application of five boron dosages: zero, 1, 2, 4, and 6 kg ha(-1). In the field, the treatments were arranged according to a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Boron (borax) dosages were applied in equal halves directly into the soil in the months of January and February of 2005. Boron concentration in the soil and plant and plant productivity were evaluated. The higher palm tree production was associated to levels of 0.6mg dm(-3) of B in the soil and 23.5mg kg(-1) in leaves. Ninety five percent of palm trees maximum production was obtained with the use of a boron dosage of 2,1kg ha(-1).

Cover crops affecting levels of ammonium and nitrate in the soil and upland rice development

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Congo grass grown in rotation with soybean affects phosphorus bound to soil carbon

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of potassium application and soil moisture on the growth of Corymbia citriodora plants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Modeling 3-D desiccation soil crack networks using a mesh fragmentation technique

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sound absorption coefficient in situ: An alternative for estimating soil loss factors

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

ORGANIC RESIDUE AND PHOSPHORUS AS CONDITIONERS OF DEGRADED SOIL AND EFFECTS ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF Dipteryx alata Vog.

In northwestern Sao Paulo State, it was established, in 1965, the hydroelectric station of Ilha Solteira (CESP) that produced extensive degraded areas, from where it was removed the soil superficial layers. For the re-establishment of the vegetation, in areas like these, it is necessary the addition of chemical inputs and organic material. Associating the presence in the area of macrophytes, to the need of recovery of degraded areas and the availability of seeds from native species of Cerrado, it was intended the development of this work, with the objective of evaluating the addition effects of organic residue and phosphorus on the material of degraded soil and on the initial growth of Dipteryx alata, arboreal species of 'cerrado'. The soil material was collected in area of degraded soil by the construction of Ilha Solteira hydroelectric station. The experiment was conducted in two environmental conditions, greenhouse and plenty of sun. The treatments consisted of four phosphorus doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg dm(-3) of P2O5), with or without macrophytes addition, with 16 treatments and 10 repetitions each one. The used macrophytes, collected at Jupia hydroelectric station, in Mato Grosso do Sul state, were dried, sliced, incorporated to the soil material and incubated during 60 days. The seeds of Dipteryx alata, collected around of the area, were sowed in washed sand and after 60 days introduced in the treatments. The plants were appraised monthly for height, stem diameter and leaves chlorophyll. After 210 days, the plants were collected and evaluated for fresh and dry weight of aerial part and radicular system and the soil material was evaluated for fertility and microbial activity by the carbon of liberated CO2. The organic residue, incorporated to the material of soil degraded, positively affects the soil fertility and the soil microbial activity. The applied phosphorus doses influenced the behavior of Ca, SB, H+Al and CTC, when applied in the absence of organic residue, it promoted significant and linear increments for values of potential acidity, and indicated the organic residue importance. The initial growth of the Dipteryx alata was favored by the protected cultivation, for the incorporation of organic residue and for the phosphorus addition to the soil. At the end although the material of degraded soil comes as good perspective for disposal of this residue, studies about the field conditions are necessary.

SIMULATION OF USE AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON THE SOIL ORGANIC MATTER POOLS OF THE ATLANTIC FOREST BIOME, BRAZIL

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Physical and chemical matrix effects in soil carbon quantification using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)