Pré-oxidação e adsorção em carvão ativado granular para remoção dos herbicidas Diuron e Hexazinona de água subterrânea

The cultivation of sugarcane demands the use of herbicides such as Diuron and Hexazinone. Some supply wells from Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, built in the Guarani Aquifer are located in recharge points, and the presence of sandy Quartzarenic Neosol in these areas increases the vulnerability of the groundwater to contamination from herbicides This paper reports the water quality monitored in some wells located in the recharge area and the removal of Diuron and Hexazinone by means of adsorption in granular activated carbon (GAC), preceded or not by preoxidation with chlorine and chlorine dioxide in a pilot plant. The results indicated that Diuron was more strongly adsorbed than Hexazinone and that the saturation time of the GAC in the test with preoxidation was shorter than in the test without preoxidation, which may have occurred mainly due to the formation of by-products that competed with the adsorption of the herbicides.

Controle de erosão em estradas rurais não pavimentadas, utilizando sistema de terraceamento com gradiente associado a bacias de captação

The agricultural unpaved roads are important road structures for the economic and social agricultural development of the Nation, and the erosion provoked by rain water in the road bed and sides are closely related to bad draining, one of the main factors for their degradation. In order to make the draining system adequate, it is necessary to know about erodibility, infiltration capacity of water in the ground and adoption of mechanical slope abatement with grid elevation and water interception. This study presents drainage model through the construction of terraces with gradient transversally associated to the capitation basin in abruptic red dystrophic argisol soils, medium sandy texture, based on slops abatement techniques, elevating the road bed and deviating flow. The grain sized fractions of this ground (sand, silt, clay) and the aggregate stability indicated that this ground, under anthropic action, presents erosive processes resulting in superficial draining with ground hauling, sanding sources and courses of water situation below roads, providing great environmental impacts in the hydric bodies. The reduction of erosion problems in these unpaved roads is in the adoption of measures that intercept waters from the draining of their stream bed itself, as well as pluvial waters comings from adjacent areas of contribution, that are collected and conducted to inlaid terraces and capitation basis.

Aplicação da metodologia de superfície de resposta na remediação de um solo arenoso contaminado artificialmente com cobre

Soil flushing is an alternative remediation technology for soils contaminated with heavy metals, which the main contaminant removing process consists in percolating an extraction solution. This work aimed to use the response surface methodology to point out combinations among the parameters of the extraction solution (Na2EDTA concentration, volume e pH) in order to reduce the concentration of copper in a sandy soil to risk levels lower than the intervention levels for exposure scenarios adopted by the Environmental Company of Sao Paulo State. Thus, a series of tests in leaching columns were carried out using a Fluvisol artificially contaminated (1257,3 mg kg-1). The tests were conducted in triplicate and setup a central composite rotatable design with 15 different parameters combinations of the extraction solution and one replicate in the center point. Using 5% significance level, the adjusted model (R2 = 0,98) indicated combinations of Na2EDTA concentration, pH and volume of the extraction solution which allow reduction of copper concentration below levels reported by environmental agency of Sao Paulo State for industrial, residential, agricultural or maximum exposure scenarios.

Fontes e parcelamento do nitrogênio em cobertura, na cultura do milho sob plantio direto

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desenvolvimento inicial de variedades e clones de cana-de- açúcar em Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, Aparecida do Taboado-MS

In Brazil, as in other sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) producing countries, varieties and clones have been continuously developed and tested in order to obtain varieties better adapted to changes in climate, soils and management, seeking a better performance in soils and climates of low agricultural suitability for the culture. In this study, the initial vegetative growth and performance of five sugar cane clones (CT96-3095, CT95-3079, CT95-1425, CT96-3024, CT92-1882) and two varieties (SP81-3250 and SP91-1049) were evaluated in an environment characterized by soils of low fertility and sandy texture. The experiment was carried out in a randomized design with seven treatments, consisting of the two sugar cane varieties and five clones. The plots contained six 15 meters sugar cane rows with a line spacing of 1.50 m. The average tiller number, tiller leaf area, vegetative cover, shoot biomass and rate of cover between rows of sugarcane were determined through six assessments in the first half of 2008. At the end of the evaluation (116 days after planting) the results showed that the clones (CT96-3095, CT95-3079, CT95-1425, CT96-3024, CT92-1882) were not significantly superior to the two considered varieties (SP81-3250 and SP91-1049).

Crescimento inicial do eucalipto em função da aclimatação em viveiro

This study aimed to evaluate the acclimatization effects in the Eucalyptus grandis vs. Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings nursery in their initial growth in two soils types, clay and sandy. The seedlings were planted in Plantmax substrate and in rice hulls plus vermiculite, and managed, after 60 days of the mass propagation (DAE), during the rustication. There were five different frequencies of subsurface drip irrigation, restoring the soil field capacity condition: F1, F2, F3 and F4, which were irrigated once, twice, three and four times a day, respectively, and FD, kept in continue irrigation until planting at 90 DAE. In a randomized block design with four replications, plant height (HPA) were evaluated at 6 and 13 months after planting and the diameter at breast height (DAP) at 13 months after planting. Findings show that water management at hardening phase seedlings had no influence on growth in both soils.

Mume clonal rootstocks for 'Aurora-1' peach in São Paulo State, Brazil

In spite of significant results achieved with scion genetic improvement in stone fruits, the peach culture in Brazil still needs studies and new technologies regarding the use of rootstocks. A wide research project has being developed at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil, dealing with the use of mume clones (Prunus mume) as rootstocks for peach trees, which has produced promising results. In this research, two mume genotypes propagated by herbaceous cuttings were tested as rootstocks for peach cultivar Aurora-1. Three different tree spacing were used: 6 x 2 m, 6 x 3 m and 6 x 4 m. The experiment was carried out at Vista Alegre do Alto (21°10'14 S, 48°37'45 W, 700 m of altitude), São Paulo State, Brazil. Growing field conditions included Hapludalfs soil with medium sandy texture and using micro sprinkler irrigation. The region has an average chilling accumulation 17.9 hours per year. The evaluations were taken in 2005 and 2006 (2nd and 3rd year after planting, respectively). The trunk diameter was evaluated every three months, from the 24th to the 41st month after planting, totalizing seven evaluations. Plants on 'Rigitano' had higher trunk diameter on the 33rd, 39th and 41st month after planting (May/06, November/06 and February/07, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the other evaluations. The diameter at 5 cm above to the graft point was larger than below, but no incompatibility symptoms were observed between rootstocks and scion. Spacing tested did not influence trunk diameter, phenology and flower bud production in 'Aurora-1' scion. In conclusion, 'Rigitano' and 'Clone 15' are recommended for high density plantings of peach 'Aurora-1' in Brazil, and the 6 x 2 m spacing can be recommended, with productivity advantages for peach under low air relative humidity and mild winter conditions. © ISHS 2012.

Produção e Qualidade Física dos Frutos do Abacaxi sob Diferentes Lâminas e Frequências de Irrigação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of pineapple cultivar Smooth Cayenne as the physical production and the quality of the fruit when subjected to different frequencies of water dpeth and soil water in Triângulo Mineiro - Uberaba-MG. The experimental area soil is Oxisol, clay loam sandy and soft undulating local relief. A randomized block design in a factorial 4 x 2 with four levels of soil water depth (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two irrigation frequencies (1 day and 3 days = F1 = F2) and four replications was utilized. The crop productivity, number of seedlings, mean weight, diameter, and hardness of the fruit, plus water use efficiency were evaluated. Productivity was not significantly affected by the water depth and by the frequency of water applied; however the fruit shell resistance, the efficiency of water use, and ratoon seedlings were significantly influenced by irrigation, the water depth of 50% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETC) provided greater efficiency of water use for the production of pineapple fruit.

Posicionamento de Extratores de Cápsula Porosa em Solo Arenoso Na Citricultura Fertirrigada Por Gotejamento

The efficiency of monitoring fertigation by means of porous capsule extractors is directly related to its correct placement, since the nutrients applied through fertigation have different mobility throughout the soil profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distributions of NO3, P, and K in the soil solution, when applied in citrus in sandy soil through drip fertigation systems, aiming to define the proper placement of the solution extractors. In order to measure the concentration of ions in the soil solution, the extractors were installed at four different distances (5, 15, 25, and 35 cm) and depths (15, 30, 60, and 90 cm) with an emitter located under the projection of the tree canopy. The experiment was conducted in a Valencia orange orchard on citrumelo Swingle rootstock, in Reginópolis/SP. The experimental design was randomized blocks and the treatment arrangement was a 4 x 4 factorial design with five repetitions. Sixteen soil solution extractors were installed per block, with a total of 80 extractors in the experiment. According to the obtained results, to determine P and K, it is recommended to install the solution extractor at 15 cm horizontal and 30 cm depth from the emitter. For NO3, the extractor recommended placement is 25 cm horizontal and 30 cm depth. The soil solution extractor proved to be a sensitive tool, capable of determining the ions mobility in the wet bulb.

Sponge spicules indicate Holocene environmental changes on the Nabileque River floodplain, southern Pantanal, Brazil

Sponge spicules are siliceous microfossils that are especially useful for analysis of sandy fluvio-lacustrine sediments. Sponge spicules in a long sediment core (~550 cm below surface), consisting of fine sand, sandy silt, and organic-rich mud, recovered from the floodplain of the Nabileque River, southern Pantanal, Brazil (S20°16′38. 3″/W57°33′00. 0″), form the basis of a novel paleoenvironmental interpretation for this region. Optically stimulated luminescence dates constrain the timing of deposition to the middle-late Holocene and all spicules identified are typical of the Brazilian cerrado biome. The base of the section is dominated by Oncosclera navicella Carter 1881, Metaniaspinata Carter 1881, and Corvospongilla seckti Bonetto and Ezcurra de Drago 1966, which indicate a lotic to semi-lotic environment strongly influenced by an actively meandering river channel at ~6. 7-5. 7 ka BP. The appearance of Heterorotula fistula Volkmer-Ribeiro and Motta 1995, Dosilia pydanieli Volkmer-Ribeiro 1992 and Radiospongilla amazonensis Volkmer-Ribeiro and Maciel 1983 at ~340 cm downcore suggests a reduction in flowing water and a more stable lentic environment, consistent with deposition in an oxbow lake. This oxbow lake environment existed during an interval of regional aridity between ~4. 5 and 3. 9 ka BP. Spicules, as well as phytoliths and diatoms, are highly variable moving up-section, with species from both lotic and lentic ecosystems present. Above ~193 cm, the total abundance of spicules declines, consistent with wetter climate conditions and development of an underfit river similar to the modern floodplain. Results support hypotheses related to migration of the Paraguay River inferred from geomorphological studies and add a key southern-region dataset to the emerging Holocene database of paleoenvironmental records from the Pantanal wetlands. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Adubação com torta de filtro e micronutrientes no plantio da cana-de-açúcar

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

Caracterização de terras pretas arqueológicas no sul do Estado do Amazonas

The Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) soils are characterized by its high fertility, dark color, and presence of pottery fragments. Regarding the formation of ADE, the most widely accepted hypothesis is that anthropogenic processes involving pre-Columbian populations made them. The purpose of this study is to characterize ADE units located in the Southern Amazon Region, in the cities of Apuí and Manicoré. Seven ADE sites were selected, trenches opened and the soil profiles characterized morphologically. Then, samples of each horizon were collected for analyses of the following physical and chemical properties: particle size, water-dispersible clay, flocculation, soil bulk density, particle density, total porosity, pH in water and KCl solutions, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Al3+, available P, H+Al, and organic C. Also, total oxides, free oxides and amorphous forms were analyzed. The texture of the anthropic A horizon ranged from sandy loam to clay loam. The pottery fragments and lithic material were found in similar quantities and at similar depths in the A horizons of the studied soil profiles, suggesting some similarity between the anthropogenic factors of formation. The anthropic horizons of profiles P3, P4, and P7 had a eutrophic character and high to very high levels of available phosphorus, compared to P1, P2, P5, and P6, indicating the heterogeneity of the ADEs.

Qualidade tecnológica e produtividade agroindustrial de cana-deaçúcar submetida a adubação com zinco

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lower Permian stems as fluvial paleocurrent indicators of the Parnaíba Basin, northern Brazil

A comprehensive biostratinomic study was carried out with abundant stems from the Lower Permian Motuca Formation of the intracratonic Parnaíba Basin, central-north Brazil. The fossils represent a rare tropical to subtropical paleofloristic record in north Gondwana. Tree ferns dominate the assemblages (mainly Tietea, secondarily Psaronius), followed by gymnosperms, sphenophytes, other ferns and rare lycophytes. They are silica-permineralized, commonly reach 4 m length (exceptionally more than 10 m), lie loosely on the ground or are embedded in the original sandstone or siltstone matrix, and attract particular attention because of their frequent parallel attitudes. Many tree fern stems present the original straight cylindrical to slightly conical forms, other are somewhat flattened, and the gymnosperm stems are usually more irregular. Measurements of stem orientations and dimensions were made in three sites approximately aligned in a W-E direction in a distance of 27.3 km at the conservation unit Tocantins Fossil Trees Natural Monument In the eastern site, rose diagrams for 54 stems indicate a relatively narrow azimuthal range to SE. These stems commonly present attached basal bulbous root mantles and thin cylindrical sandstone envelopes, which sometimes hold, almost adjacent to the lateral stem surface, permineralized fern pinnae and other small plant fragments. In the more central site, 82 measured stems are preferentially oriented in the SW-NE direction, the proportion of gymnosperms is higher and cross-stratification sets of sandstones indicate paleocurrents mainly to NE and secondarily to SE. In the western site, most of the 42 measured stems lie in E-W positions. The predominantly sandy succession, where the fossil stems are best represented, evidences a braided fluvial system under semiarid conditions. The low plant diversity, some xeromorphic features and the supposedly almost syndepositional silica impregnation of the plants are coherent with marked dry seasons. Thick mudstones and some coquinites below and above the sandy interval may represent lacustrine facies formed in probably more humid conditions. The taphonomic history of the preserved plants began with exceptional storms that caused fast-flowing high water in channels and far into the floodplains. In the eastern site region, many tree ferns only fell, thus sometimes covering and protecting plant litter and leaves from further fragmentation. Assemblages of the central and western sites suggest that the trees were uprooted and transported in suspension (floating) parallel to the flow. Heavier ends of stems (according to their form or because of attached basal bulbous root mantle or large apical fronds) were oriented to upstream because of inertial forces. During falling water stage, the stems were stranded on riverbanks, usually maintaining the previous transport orientation, and were slightly buried. The perpendicular or oblique positions of some stems may have been caused by interference with other stems or shallow bars. Rare observed stems were apparently waterlogged before the final depositional process and transported as bedload. The differences of interpreted channel orientations between the three sites are expected in a braided fluvial system, considering the very low gradients of the basin and the work scale in the order of tens of kilometers. The mean direction of the drainage probably was to east and the flows apparently became weaker downstream. This study seems to provide reliable data for paleocurrent interpretations, especially considering areas with scarce preserved sedimentary structures. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

High-resolution aquifer analog of fluvial-aeolian sediments of the Guarani aquifer system

The Guarani aquifer system (GAS) represents one of the biggest aquifers in the world and is the most relevant groundwater resource in South America. For the first time, by combining field and laboratory measurements, a high-resolution aquifer analog model of fluvial-aeolian sediments of the GAS in São Paulo State (Brazil) is constructed. Three parallel sections of frontal outcrops, 28 m × 5.8 m, and two parallel sections of lateral outcrops, 7 m × 5.8 m, are recorded during open-pit mining of sandy sediments and describe in detail the three-dimensional distribution of the local lithofacies and hydrofacies. Variations of hydraulic conductivity, K, and porosity, n, are resolved on the centimeter scale, and the most permeable units of the fluvial-aeolian facies association are identified. The constructed aquifer analog model shows moderate hydraulic heterogeneity and a mean K value of 1.36 × 10-4 m/s, which is greater than the reported range of K values for the entire GAS in São Paulo State. The results suggest that the examined sedimentary unit constitutes a relevant portion of the GAS in São Paulo State in the context of groundwater extraction and pollution. Moreover, the constructed aquifer analog is considered an ideal basis for future numerical model experiments, aiming at in-depth understanding of the groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns at this GAS portion or at comparable fluvial-aeolian facies associations. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.