Níveis de adubação para a cultura do milho Safrinha

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect two hybrids of maize, cultivated on "safrinha" conditions, in different rates of 08-28-16 formula. The treatments consisted of two hybrids of maize (DKB747 e CO32) cultivated in no-tillage system (SPD) and five rates of fertilizer 08-28-16 (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 kg ha(-1)). The randomized block design was used, with subdivided splots and four replications. The maize was sowed on 02/03/2006 using seeder pneumatic of mechanics traction, with four individual lines, spaced of 0.45 m During maize flowering period, morphologic components were evaluated; the harvest occurred on 150 days after the sowing, when the production components were evaluated. The hybrid of maize DKB747 showed greater efficiency, while the hybrid of maize CO32 was more responsive to rates used. NPK rates on 08-28-16 fomula above 300 kg ha(-1) are not necessary to the hybrid CO32 cultivated on "safrinha" conditions, in Botucatu region, state of São Paulo.

Fertilizer distribution mechanisms and side dress nitrogen fertilization in upland rice under no-tillage system

Algumas culturas têm pouca adaptação ao sistema plantio direto (SPD), em vista da alta compactação da camada superficial do solo. Nesse caso, o mecanismo utilizado na semeadora para a abertura dos sulcos para deposição do fertilizante pode ter grande importância no sentido de facilitar a penetração das raízes. Avaliouse a influência do mecanismo de distribuição de fertilizante e da adubação nitrogenada na cultura do arroz de terras altas (Oryza sativa) no sistema plantio direto. O experimento foi conduzido nos anos agrícolas 2001/2002 e 2002/2003, em Botucatu-SP, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por dois mecanismos de distribuição de fertilizantes (haste sulcadora e disco duplo). Nas subparcelas, quatro níveis de N foram aplicados em cobertura (0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1). Avaliou-se a profundidade de abertura do sulco e de deposição das sementes, a população de plantas, a altura de plantas, o número de colmos e de panículas m-2, o número total de espiguetas por panícula, a fertilidade das espiguetas, a massa de 1.000 grãos, a matéria seca da parte aérea, a produtividade e o teor de N na folha bandeira. O sucesso no estabelecimento da cultura do arroz de terras altas no SPD nas regiões de inverno seco do Brasil está diretamente ligado ao mecanismo de distribuição das semeadoras-adubadoras. A haste sulcadora promoveu maior profundidade de deposição de sementes, conseqüentemente reduzindo o estande, o número de panículas por área e a produtividade. A aplicação de N em cobertura no arroz de terras altas em SPD proporciona maiores produtividades quando a semeadura é realizada com mecanismo de disco duplo.

Evaluation of alternative containers to determining the working width of fertilizer spreaders

Os ensaios de largura de trabalho e uniformidade de distribuição são de difícil execução para o agricultor por exigirem equipamentos, recursos e métodos complexos. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar coletores alternativos para tornar mais acessível a regulagem e a avaliação de distribuidores de fertilizantes sólidos a lanço. Foram utilizados quatro diferentes conjuntos de coletores: i) coletores construídos segundo a norma ISO 5690/1; ii) coletores de polietileno (bandejas plásticas) com tela de sombreamento para evitar o ricochete de material; iii) coletores formados por caixas de leite longa vida, e iv) coletores formados por vasos de polietileno (número 3,5). Também foram utilizados três diferentes distribuidores para as avaliações. Os coletores alternativos apresentaram maior retenção de partículas que os coletores normatizados. A largura efetiva de trabalho obtida para os coeficientes de variação de 12,5; 15; 17,5 e 20% variou entre os coletores nos diferentes percursos. O coletor que mais se assemelhou à norma foram os vasos de polietileno. Constatou-se que a altura dos coletores foi mais importante para sua eficiência do que a sua área de coleta.

Use of Cassava Wastewater Treated Anaerobically with Alkaline Agents as Fertilizer for Maize (Zea mays L.)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mecanismos de abertura do sulco e adubação nitrogenada no cultivo do feijoeiro em sistema plantio direto

Algumas culturas têm pouca adaptação ao sistema plantio direto, em vista da maior compactação da camada superficial do solo e, nesse caso, o mecanismo utilizado na semeadora para a abertura dos sulcos para deposição do fertilizante pode ter grande importância no sentido de facilitar a penetração das raízes. Este experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria (MS), com o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade do feijão de inverno cultivado em sistema plantio direto, em função da utilização de mecanismos de abertura para distribuição de fertilizantes na semeadura e da adubação nitrogenada em cobertura. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, utilizando-se esquema fatorial 2 x 6, constituído por mecanismos de distribuição de fertilizante (haste escarificadora e disco duplo) e doses de N em cobertura (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 e 125 kg ha-1), com quatro repetições. Recomenda-se o uso da haste escarificadora como mecanismo de distribuição do fertilizante, para o cultivo do feijoeiro de inverno. A adubação nitrogenada em cobertura proporciona incrementos à produtividade do feijoeiro de inverno.

Evaluation of Lines of Phosphorus and Potassium by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Liquid Fertilizer Analysis

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

Microbial populations and activities in sewage sludge and phosphate fertilizer-amended soil

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the number of microbial populations and activities in sewage sludge and phosphate fertilizer-amended dark red latosoil for cultivation of tomato plants. Sewage sludge was applied at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 t ha(-1), and phosphate (P2O5) at doses of 0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 kg ha(-1). The bacterial populations increased as a function of sewage sludge and phosphate application. Fungal populations were not affected by the application of phosphate alone but were increased by the application of sewage sludge. Phosphate doses higher than 100-200 kg ha(-1) in combination with sewage sludge inhibited both bacterial and fungal growth. The responses determined by microbial counts were reflected in the microbial biomass values, with a more significant effect of sewage sludge than of phosphate or of a combination of both. These results confirm the need for a carbon and energy source (represented here by sewage sludge) for microbial growth in a soil poor in organic matter. Dehydrogenase and urease activities reflected the results of the microbial populations due to the effect of sewage sludge and phosphate, but no satisfactory result was obtained for phosphatase. Urease activity was expressed by a linear regression equation as the result of the effect of sewage sludge, and by a quadratic regression equation as the result of the effect of phosphate. All parameters investigated showed a significant correlation with bacterial counts but not with fungal counts, indicating a greater effect of sewage sludge and phosphate on bacteria than on fungi.

An adaptive system based on artificial neural networks for NPK fluid fertilizer application

The application process of fluid fertilizers through variable rates implemented by classical techniques with feedback and conventional equipments can be inefficient or unstable. This paper proposes an open-loop control system based on artificial neural network of the type multilayer perceptron for the identification and control of the fertilizer flow rate. The network training is made by the algorithm of Levenberg-Marquardt with training data obtained from measurements. Preliminary results indicate a fast, stable and low cost control system for precision fanning. Copyright (C) 2000 IFAC.

Use of U-isotope disequilibrium to evaluate the weathering rate and fertilizer-derived uranium in São Paulo state, Brazil

The U-disequilibrium method was utilized to evaluate the velocity of alteration of rocks and fertilizer-derived uranium in the Corumbatai River basin, São Paulo state, Brazil. The Corumbatai River basin is affected by the continuous use of fertilizer-derived uranium utilized in sugar cane crops, increasing the dissolved uranium concentration in the Corumbatai River (Santa Terezinha station) in the wet period to 43%. The weathering rate in the Corumbatai River basin utilizing the U-isotope modeling was 0.0265 mm/year (corresponding to 38,000 years to weather 1 m of rock under actual climatic conditions). However, when the inputs of anthropogenic uranium were considered, then a weathering rate of 0.022 mm/year (corresponding to 45,500 years to weather 1 m of rock) was determined. The removed material in the Corumbatai River basin is mainly from two sub-basins (the Cabecas River and Passa Cinco River), where the sandstones weather easier than the siltstones and claystones in the basin.

Doses and sources of nitrogen fertilizer and their effects on soil chemical properties and forage yield of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes

Forage plants, particularly the Brachiaria genus, are the main source of nutrients for cattle and are at times the only feed offered. The concentration of elements in the plant is related to the soil, fertilization, climate, season, variety, and cultural practices. An experiment on dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol soil in Aracatuba, São Paulo was performed to evaluate the effects of the doses and sources of nitrogen fertilizers on the chemical properties of the soil and the dry matter yield of the grass Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes. A randomized block design was employed involving three replicates in a 3 x 3 factorial, with three doses (100, 200 and 400 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) and three sources (Ajifer (R) L40, ammonium sulfate and urea) of nitrogen and a control treatment without nitrogen (zero). The greatest effects on the chemical properties of the soil as a function of nitrogen fertilization in the Xaraes grass were observed in the topsoil. The use of Ajifer (R) L40 and ammonium sulfate as sources of nitrogen had similar effects, with an increase in the sulfur content and a reduction in the soil pH at the superficial layer. The use of the fertilizers Ajifer (R) L40, ammonium sulfate and urea did not affect the micronutrient contents, except for Fe and Mn, and did not alter the sodium concentration or electrical conductivity of the soil. The dry matter yield of Xaraes grass was similar for all three nitrogen sources.

Influence of fertilizer on coumarin content and biomass production in Mikania glomerata sprengel

Mikania glomerata Sprengel leaf extracts have been used in cough syrup formulations due to the presence of active coumarin derivatives. Yields of such natural compounds in cultivated plants can be affected by several nutritional factors. To determine the effect of fertilization on biomass productivity, organ proportion and coumarin content, Mikania glomerata plants were submitted during one year to treatments with organic (humus or manure) and inorganic (different levels of nitrogen) fertilizers. Coumarin concentration was raised by organic fertilization, inorganic nutrients induced increased phytomass (stem and leaf) yield, however no fertilized plants showed enhanced leaf production.

Mitigation of N2O emissions from grassland by nitrification inhibitor and actilith F2 applied with fertilizer and cattle slurry

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is involved in both ozone destruction and global warming. In agricultural soils it is produced by nitrification and denitrification mainly after fertilization. Nitrification inhibitors have been proposed as one of the management tools for the reduction of the potential hazards of fertilizer-derived N2O. Addition of nitrification inhibitors to fertilizers maintains soil N in ammonium form, thereby gaseous N losses by nitrification and denitrification are less likely to occur and there is increased N utilization by the sward. We present a study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) and of the slurry additive Actilith F2 on N2O emissions following application of calcium ammonium nitrate or cattle slurry to a mixed clover/ryegrass sward in the Basque Country. The results indicate that large differences in N2O emission occur depending on fertilizer type and the presence or absence of a nitrification inhibitor. There is considerable scope for immediate reduction of emissions by applying DCD with calcium ammonium nitrate or cattle slurry. DCD, applied at 25 kg ha-1, reduced the amount of N lost as N2O by 60% and 42% when applied with cattle slurry and calcium ammonium nitrate, respectively. Actilith F2 did not reduce N2O emissions and it produced a long lasting mineralization of previously immobilized added N.

Effects of hand weeding strip and nitrogen fertilizer on corn plants

The objective of the present research was to evaluate effects of different strip weed control associated with nitrogen fertilizer on corn applied after planting. The experiment was set and conducted in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, and the hybrid planted was Dekalb 333-B. A completely randomized block design with four replications was used. Experimental plots were disposed as a factorial scheme 2 x 2 x 4, constituted by two types of weeding on row (with or without manual hoeing), two types of weeding on inter-row (with or without manual hoeing), and four nitrogen levels applied after planting (00, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1). Plots were composed by six rows with 5 m length. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 35 days after emergence (d.a.e). For weed community it was evaluated: weed density, dominancy, frequency, and relative importance. The main weed species were: Brachiaria plantiginea, Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens pilosa, Cyperus rotunds, Brachiaria decumbens, Euphorbia heterofila, Oxalis latifolia, Acanthospermum hispidum, Commelina benghalensis. It was evaluated corn height at 40 and 100 d.a.e., first ear insertion height at 100 d.a.e., and final grain yield at harvesting. Plants and first ear insertion height were affected when nitrogen fertilizer was not applied. Treatments without weed control showed that weed interfered negatively with plants height. There were no correlation between weeds and nitrogen fertilizer for all parameters evaluated. Parcels without weed showed the highest ear weights and final grain production. Treatments that received nitrogen fertilizer, independently of studied arrangement, provided higher yields.

Calcium silicate and organic mineral fertilizer applications reduce phytophagy by Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on eggplants (Solanum melongena L.)

Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a phytophagous insect associated with the reduction of eggplant productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium silicate and/or an organic mineral fertilizer, together or separately, in increasing the resistance of eggplants to T. palmi. The treatments were calcium silicate, organic mineral fertilizer, calcium silicate associated with this fertilizer and the control. Mortality and number of lesions caused by nymphs of this insect on eggplant leaves were evaluated after 3, 6, 9 and 12 leaf applications of these products. The calcium silicate and the organic mineral fertilizer reduced both the population of T. palmi and the damage caused by its nymphs, suggesting a possible increase in eggplant resistance to this pest as a result of the treatments.