Potassium availability in a hapludalf soil under long term fertilization

In a system in which fertilization is recommended, diagnosis of soil K availability and the establishment of critical levels are made difficult by the possibility of a contribution of non-exchangeable forms of K for plant nutrition. Due to its magnitude, this contribution is well diagnosed in long term experiments and in those which compare fertilization systems with positive and negative balances in terms of replacement of the K extracted by plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate K availability in a Hapludalf under fertilization for sixteen years with the addition of K doses. The study was undertaken in an experiment set up in 1991 and carried out until 2007 in the experimental area of the Soil Department of the Federal University of Santa Maria (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - UFSM), in Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. The soil was a Typic Hapludalf submitted to four doses of K (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 K2O) and subdivided in the second year, when 60 kg ha-1 of K2O were reapplied in the subplots in 0, 1, 2 and 3 times. As of the fifth year, the procedure was repeated. Grain yield above ground dry matter and total K content contained in the plant tissue were evaluated. Soil samples were collected, oven dried, ground, passed through a sieve and submitted to exchangeable K analysis by the Mehlich-1 extractor; non-exchangeable K by boiling HNO3 1 mol L-1 and total K by HF digestion. Potassium fertilization guidelines should foresee the establishment of a critical level as of which the recommended dose should accompany crop needs, which coincides with the quantity exported by the grain, without there being the need for the creation of broad ranges of K availability to predict K fertilization. In adopting the K fertilization recommendations proposed in this manner, there will not be K translocation in the soil profile.

Nutritional status of Eucalyptus grandis clones evaluated by critical level and DRIS methods

Nutritional status of eight 1.0 and 4.7 years old clones of Eucalyptus grandis, cultivated in a medium textured Ustults - US - and a Quartzipsamments - PS - soils, in Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo, were evaluated by the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Critical Level (CL) methods. Based on multivariate discriminant analysis, the DRIS indices described the nutritional status of trees better in relation to tree age and soil type than in relation to nutrient composition. Spearman's correlation coefficients showed statistically significant relationships between volumetric tree growth and nutrients when applying DRIS indices or foliar nutrient concentrations. However, the DRIS indices indicated a lower number of trees with nutritional deficiencies, in relation to the CL method. According to the CL method, P, S, and Ca were deficient in the majority of the soils and tree age categories. By the DRIS method, Ca was the only deficient nutrient in PS soils, and appeared to be particularly limited in one-year-old trees. In conclusion, the DRIS method was more efficient than the CL method in evaluating the nutritional status of eucalyptus trees.

Critical-Level Population Principles and the Repugnant Conclusion

Critical-level generalized-utilitarian population principles with positive critical levels pro-vide an ethically attractive way of avoiding the repugnant conclusion. We discuss the axiomatic foundations of critical-level generalized utilitarianism and investigate its rela-tionship to the sadistic and strong sadistic conclusions. A positive critical level avoids the repugnant conclusion. We demonstrate that, although no critical-level generalized-utilitarian principle can avoid both the repugnant and strong sadistic conclusions, princi-ples that avoid both have significant defects.

Mountain waves in two-layer sheared flows: Critical-level effects, wave reflection, and drag enhancement

Internal gravity waves generated in two-layer stratified shear flows over mountains are investigated here using linear theory and numerical simulations. The impact on the gravity wave drag of wind profiles with constant unidirectional or directional shear up to a certain height and zero shear above, with and without critical levels, is evaluated. This kind of wind profile, which is more realistic than the constant shear extending indefinitely assumed in many analytical studies, leads to important modifications in the drag behavior due to wave reflection at the shear discontinuity and wave filtering by critical levels. In inviscid, nonrotating, and hydrostatic conditions, linear theory predicts that the drag behaves asymmetrically for backward and forward shear flows. These differences primarily depend on the fraction of wavenumbers that pass through their critical level before they are reflected by the shear discontinuity. If this fraction is large, the drag variation is not too different from that predicted for an unbounded shear layer, while if it is small the differences are marked, with the drag being enhanced by a considerable factor at low Richardson numbers (Ri). The drag may be further enhanced by nonlinear processes, but its qualitative variation for relatively low Ri is essentially unchanged. However, nonlinear processes seem to interact constructively with shear, so that the drag for a noninfinite but relatively high Ri is considerably larger than the drag without any shear at all.

LIMING AND POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION FOR TIFTON 85 GRASS

Despite the high nutritional requirements of Tifton 85 grass, often the importance of liming and potassium fertilization for this forage has been neglected. In order to evaluate the effects of such practices on shoots dry matter and tillering of this forage, was carried out an experiment in green-house conditions, by two cuts, using samples of an Oxisol medium texture and a sandy soil. Efforts were also made to determine parameters to support recommendations for liming and potassium fertilization. Was adopted the completely randomized design with four replications in a factorial scheme 4x4x2, with four K rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 mg kg(-1) K), four pH values (original, 4.9, 5.9 and 6.4) and two soils. Potassium fertilization and liming promoted a significant increase in shoot dry matter and tillering in Tifton 85 grass, in both soils and cuts. The highest yields of shoot dry matter were associated with a base saturation of 56% and pH 5.2. The critical levels of K in soil and plant were 1.7 mmol dm(-3) and 14.0 g kg(-1), respectively.

Effectiveness of fused magnesium potassium phosphate for marandu grass

The current high price of KCl and great dependence on importation to satisfy the Brazilian demand indicate the need for studies that evaluate the efficiency of other K sources, particularly those based on domestic raw material. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was conducted with samples of a sandy clay loam Typic Haplustox, in a completely randomized 4 x 3 x 2 factorial design: four K rates (0, 60, 120, and 180 mg kg-1), three sources (potassium chloride (KCl), fused magnesium potassium phosphate (FMPP) and a mixture of 70 % FMPP + 30 % KCl) and two particle sizes (100 and 60 mesh), with three replications. Potassium fertilization resulted in significant increases in shoot dry matter production and in K concentrations, both in soil and plants. The K source and particle size had no significant effect on the evaluated characteristics. Potassium critical levels in the soil and the shoots were 1.53 mmol c dm-3 and 19.1 g kg-1, respectively.

Effectiveness of fused magnesium potassium phosphate for marandu grass

O alto custo atual do KCl e a grande dependência de sua importação para suprir a demanda nacional sugerem a necessidade de estudos que procurem avaliar a eficiência de outras fontes de K, principalmente aquelas baseadas em matéria-prima nacional. Nesse sentido, foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação com amostras de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico textura média, adotando-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 3 x 2, sendo quatro doses de K (0, 60, 120 e 180 mg kg-1 de K), três fontes [(cloreto de potássio (KCl)], termofosfato magnesiano potássico (FMPP) e a mistura de 70 % FMPP + 30 % KCl) e duas granulometrias (100 e 60 mesh), com três repetições. Verificou-se que a adubação potássica promoveu incrementos significativos na produção de matéria seca (parte aérea) e nos teores de K no solo e na planta, não havendo diferenças entre as fontes e suas granulometrias. Os níveis críticos de K no solo e na parte aérea das plantas foram de 1,53 mmol c dm-3 e 19,1 g kg-1, respectivamente.

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DRY MASS PRODUCTION OF ALFALFA IN FUNCTION OF POTASSIUM RATES IN TWO SOILS

Potassium fertilization is very important to alfalfa crop in terms of yield, quality and persistence of forage, especially on soils naturally poor K. Thus, to assess the effects of K fertilization in alfalfa production and nutritional status, was carried out an experiment in a greenhouse using samples of a Dystrophic Oxisol medium texture (LV) (0.6 mmol(c) dm(-3) K) and a Dystrophic Ultisol sandy/medium texture (PVA) (2.2 mmol(c) dm(-3) K). A completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2 (six K rates and two soils) was used, with four replications. The K rates used were: 0, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg kg(-1) K. Potassium fertilization increased K content in soil and shoots. Dry matter production was increased with the K addition. However, in the PVA, this occurred only in the second cut. In LV, potassium fertilization increased N concentration in alfalfa shoots in both cuts. Plants with K concentration around 10 g kg(-1) had typical symptoms of this nutrient deficiency. The K critical levels of K in soil and shoots were 1.8 mmolc dm(-3) and 16.7 g kg(-1), respectively.

Tomato yield and potassium concentrations in soil and in plant petioles as affected by potassium fertirrigation

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Santa Clara was grown on a silt clay soil with 46 mg dm-3 Mehlich 1 extractable K, to evaluate the effects of trickle-applied K rates on fruit yield and to establish K critical concentrations in soil and in plant petioles. Six potassium rates (0, 48, 119, 189, 259 and 400 kg ha-1 K) were applied in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil and plant K critical levels were determined at two plant growth stages (at the beginning of the second and fourth cluster flowering). Total, marketable and weighted yields increased with K rates, reaching their maximum of 86.4, 73.4, and 54.9 ton ha-1 at 198, 194, and 125 kg ha-1 K , respectively. At the first soil sampling date K critical concentrations in the soil associated with K rates for maximum marketable and weighted yields were 92 and 68 mg dm-3, respectively. Potassium critical concentrations in the dry matter of the petioles sampled by the beginning of the second and fourth cluster flowering time, associated with maximum weighted yield, were 10.30 and 7.30 dag kg-1, respectively.

Critical levels of organic acids on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat

The objective of this study was to determine the responses of the wheat cultivars CD 108 and CD 111 for tolerance to organic acids. The effects of five concentrations of the three main acids formed in the soil were studied: acetic acid (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mM), propionic acid (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mM) and butyric acid (0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 mM). Tests included germination, shoot length, root length and dry weight of shoot and root. The variable root length is the most responsive variable for all the acids tested and the critical level of toxicity of acetic, propionic and butyric acids, which reduced root length by at least 50% was 9.0, 8.5 and 4.0 mM respectively. It was concluded that the presence of acetic, propionic and butyric acids in the germination substratum of wheat seeds of the cultivars CD 111 and CD 108 reduced seedling development, mainly by reducing the length of the radicles.

Fontes de potássio na adubação de cobertura do algodoeiro II - Avaliação do estado nutricional da cultura

A field experiment was conducted in Sapezal, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, in the 2007/2008 agricultural season, with the aim of determining the effect of potassium sources on cotton nutritional status. The treatments consisted of application in covering, via soil, at rate of 100 kg ha(-1) of K(2)O. in two split applications, with KCl, K(2)SO(4), KNO(3) and K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4) sources. Nutrients concentration in leaf tissues at bloom stage was evaluated, being interpreted by the critical level and the DRIS methods. S content in cotton leaves and the S index was higher when used K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4) fertilizer. The Nutritional Balance Index (NB!) values were coherent with cotton yield, being the highest yields obtained with the smallest NBI in the covering fertilization with K(2)SO(4).2MgSO(4).

Critical points in logistic growth curves and treatment comparisons

Several biological phenomena have a behavior over time mathematically characterized by a strong increasing function in the early stages of development, then by a less pronounced growth, sometimes showing stability. The separation between these phases is very important to the researcher, since the maintenance of a less productive phase results in uneconomical activity. In this report we present methods of determining critical points in logistic functions that separate the early stages of growth from the asymptotic phase, with the aim of establishing a stopping critical point in the growth and on this basis determine differences in treatments. The logistic growth model is fitted to experimental data of imbibition of arariba seeds (Centrolobium tomentosum). To determine stopping critical points the following methods were used: i) accelerating growth function, ii) tangent at the inflection point, iii) segmented regression; iv) modified segmented regression; v) non-significant difference; and vi) non-significant difference by simulation. The analysis of variance of the abscissas and ordinates of the breakpoints was performed with the objective of comparing treatments and methods used to determine the critical points. The methods of segmented regression and of the tangent at the inflection point lead to early stopping points, in comparison with other methods, with proportions ordinate/asymptote lower than 0.90. The non-significant difference method by simulation had higher values of abscissas for stopping point, with an average proportion ordinate/asymptote equal to 0.986. An intermediate proportion of 0.908 was observed for the acceleration function method.

Efeitos de doses não equidistantes de N, P, K nas concentrações destes macronutrientes na folha e na produção do milho (Zea mays L.)

Os experimentos foram conduzidos, em um podzólico de Lins e Marília - variação Lins, de textora barrento-arenosa, localizado no Município de Monte Azul Paulista, SP. O híbrido de milho duplo H-6999B foi utilizado. Cada experimento constou de 5 tratamentos e de 4 repetições. Os níveis de nitrogênio foram: 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400 kg/ha, sendo aplicados também90 kg/ha de P²O5 e 50 kg/ha de K2O. Os níveis de fósforo foram: 0,40, 80, I60 e 320 kg/ha de P²O5, sendo aplicados também 100 kg/ha de N e 50 kg/ha de K2O. Os níveis de potássio foram: 0, 25, 50, 100 e 200 kg/ha de K2O, sendo aplicados também 100 kg/ha de N e 90 kg/ha de P²O5. A aplicação tanto das doses de fósforo comodas de nitrogênio fez aumentar a produção de milho, a qual foi da ordem de 3 a 7 vezes superior à média de produção do Estado de São Paulo. A dose econômica e a sua consequente produção, determinadas pelas equações de Mitscherlichr-Pimentel Gomes foram: para o fósforo, de 253 kg/ha de P²O5 correspondente a urna produção de o.877 kg/ha de milho em grão; para o nitrogênio, foi de 228 kg/ha de N correspondente a uma produção de 11.100 kg/ha de milho e para o potássio, foi de 62 kg/ha de K2O correspondente a urna produção de 9-252 kg/ha de milho. Os níveis críticos econômicos, nas folhas, determinados pelas equações de MALAVOLTA & PIMENTEL GOMES (1961) e correspondentes às doses econômicas, foram de: 0,293% de P, de 3,27% de N e de 2,07% de K. A folha escolhida, ou seja, aquela oposta à espiga mais alta, reflete bem o estado nutricional da planta e consequentemente o nível de fertilidade do solo.

Effects of the application of α1- and α2-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists into the ventromedial hypothalamus on the sodium and potassium renal excretion

The effects of sodium and potassium excretion after intrahypothalamic administration of two α-adrenoceptor agonists and the effect of α-adrenoceptor antagonists were studied in groups of rats. Prazosin was equally effective at blocking the natriuretic and kaliuretic responses to the α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine and the mixed α1/α2-adrenoceptor agonist noradrenaline, while yohimbine which acts preferentially on α2-adrenoceptors was effective in potentiating these responses. These results suggest the presence of two types of α-adrenoceptors for the modulation of ventromedial hypothalamic pathways that interfere with the regulation of the two cations: stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors facilitates, while stimulation of α2-adrenoceptors inhibits the excretion of the ions.

On a dual role for clonidine stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in sodium and potassium renal excretions of rats

The effects of clonidine on sodium and potassium excretions were examined after previous administration of prazosin (an α 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and yohimbine (an α 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus of conscious rats. Clonidine injected into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus induced inhibitory and facilitatory effects on the urinary sodium and potassium excretions. The results suggest that facilitatory effects of clonidine on natriuresis and kaliuresis are mediated through activation of α 1-adrenoceptors and that inhibitory effects require α(2A)-adrenoceptors.