José Lavres

Yield components and morphogenesis of Aruana grass in response to nitrogen supply

Areas with Aruana grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) in Brazilian pastures, especially those used by sheep, have expanded due to yield and morphological characteristics of this grass that are favorable to these animals. Nevertheless, the knowledge concerning yield attributes of this grass in relation to nitrogen fertilization is very limited. The objective of this research was to evaluate yield and physiological attributes in this forage grass when grown in nutrient solutions containing N rates. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with plastic pots containing ground quartz as substrate, during the Spring season. Six N rates in the solution (14, 112, 210, 294, 378, and 462 mg L-1), with 70% N-NO3- and 30% N-NH4+ were tested. Experimental units were set up in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Plants were harvested at 35 days after the seedlings were transplanted to the pots and again at 28 days after the first harvest. After the second harvest, the roots were taken from the substrate. In both growing periods, dry matter yield for plant tops and roots, leaf area, number of expanded green leaves, number of tillers, leaf appearance rate, and phyllochron were significantly affected by the N rates, and the data were adjusted to a second-order model. Aruana grass required high rates of N to show maximum response in those variables.

Physiological highlights of manganese toxicity symptoms in soybean plants: Mn toxicity responses

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for plants; however, high concentrations in certain soil conditions can cause toxicity symptoms in the plant tissue. Here, we describe Mn toxicity symptoms and Mn toxicity responses in soybean plants. Soybean plants exposed to excess Mn showed reductions in the CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance, which in turn resulted in decreased shoot biomass. Furthermore, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity were higher in plants grown with the highest Mn concentration. The Mn doses increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, POD, and SOD. The toxicity symptoms presented by the leaves included hypertrophying of the adaxial epidermis and the formation of necrotic areas with purple-colored veins. Dramatic movement of calcium from the healthy region to the purple-colored necrotic region was observed, as was the exit of potassium from the necrotic area to the healthy region of the tissue. The high activities of POD and SOD in the presence of high Mn compartmented in the roots was the main physiological responses at high Mn uptake by soybean plants.

Acid phosphatase activity and leaf phosphorus content in soybean cultivars

A adubacao fosfatada corresponde a fracao mais onerosa do custo de producao da cultura da soja. A obtencao de cultivares de soja eficientes na absorcao e utilizacao de fosforo (P) em condicao de media disponibilidade deste nutriente pode contribuir para aumentar o potencial produtivo da cultura. Trinta e dois cultivares de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], de ciclo precoce, semiprecoce, semitardio e tardio, recomendados para o cerrado, foram cultivados em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrofico tipico, do cerrado, objetivando avaliar a atividade da fosfatase acida, concentracao de P na folha diagnostico e biomassa da parte aerea. Ocorreram diferencas entre os cultivares dentro de todos os ciclos de maturacao na atividade da fosfatase acida e na biomassa da parte aerea. Cultivares de ciclos semitardio e tardio apresentaram diferencas significativas quanto a concentracao de fosforo na folha diagnostico. A atividade da fosfatase acida correlacionou-se positivamente com a biomassa da parte aerea nos cultivares dos ciclos semiprecoce (r = 0,46) e tardio (r = 0,47) e, negativamente (r = -0,40), com a concentracao de P na folha-diagnostico, nos cultivares do ciclo tardio. A ocorrencia de cultivares de soja com alta e baixa atividade da fosfatase acida dentro do mesmo ciclo de maturacao sinalizam a existencia de diferentes mecanismos envolvidos na mobilizacao de P no solo e remobilizacao interna deste nutriente na planta entre os grupos de cultivares.

Soybean Seed Treatment with Nickel Improves Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Urease Activity

Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient required for plants’ metabolism due to its role as a structural component of urease and hydrogenase, which in turn perform nitrogen (N) metabolism in many legume species. Seed treatment with cobalt, molybdenum and Bradyrhizobium strains has been widely practiced to improve crops. Additionally, seed treatment together with Ni fertilization of soybean might improve the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), boosting grain dry matter yield and N content. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soybean seed treatment with Ni rates (0, 45, 90,135, 180, 360 and 540 mg kg-1) on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), directly by the 15N natural abundance method (δ15N‰) and by measurement of urease [E.C. 3.5.1.5] activity, as well as indirectly by nitrogenase (N-ase) activity [E.C. 1.18.6.1]. Soybean plants (cultivar BMX Potencia RR) were grown in a sandy soil up to the R7 developmental stage (grain maturity), at which point the nutrient content in the leaves, chlorophyll content, urease and N-ase activities, Ni and N content in the grains, nodulation (at R1 - flowering stage), as well as the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation (δ15N ‰), were evaluated. The proportion of N derived from N2 fixation varied from 77 to 99% using the natural 15N abundance method and non-nodulating Panicum miliaceum and Phalaris canariensis as references. A Ni rate of 45 mg kg-1 increased BNF by 12% compared to the control. The increased N uptake in the grains was closely correlated with chlorophyll content in the leaves, urease and N-ase activities, as well as with nodulation. Grain dry matter yield and aerial part dry matter yield increased, respectively, by 84% and 51% in relation to the control plants at 45 mg kg-1 Ni via seed treatment. Despite, Ni concentration was increased with Ni-seed treatment, Ni rates higher than 135 mg kg-1 promoted negative effects on plant growth and yield. In these experimental conditions, seed treatment with low Ni rates caused higher dry matter yield of plants and grains.

Nickel Availability in Soil as Influenced by Liming and Its Role in Soybean Nitrogen Metabolism

Nickel (Ni) availability in soil varies as a function of pH. Plants require Ni in small quantities for normal development, especially in legumes due its role in nitrogen (N) metabolism. This study investigated the effect of soil base saturation, and Ni amendments on Ni uptake, N accumulation in the leaves and grains, as well as to evaluate organic acids changes in soybean. In addition, two N assimilation enzymes were assayed: nitrate reductase (NR) and Ni-dependent urease. Soybean plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum were cultivated in soil-filled pots under two base-cation saturation (BCS) ratios (50 and 70%) and five Ni rates – 0.0; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0; and 10.0 mg dm-3 Ni. At flowering (R1 developmental stage), plants for each condition were evaluated for organic acids (oxalic, malonic, succinic, malic, tartaric, fumaric, oxaloacetic, citric and lactic) levels as well as the activities of urease and NR. At the end of the growth period (R7 developmental stage – grain maturity), grain N and Ni accumulations were determined. The available soil-Ni in rhizosphere extracted by DTPA increased with Ni rates, notably in BCS50. The highest concentrations of organic acid and N occurred in BCS70 and 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni. There were no significant differences for urease activity taken on plants grown at BSC50 for Ni rates, except for the control treatment, while plants cultivated at soil BCS70 increased the urease activity up to 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni. In addition, the highest values for urease activities were reached from the 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni rate for both BCS treatments. The NR activity was not affected by any treatment indicating good biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) for all plants. The reddish color of the nodules increased with Ni rates in both BCS50 and 70, also confirms the good BNF due to Ni availability. The optimal development of soybean occurs in BCS70, but requires an extra Ni supply for the production of organic acids and for increased N-shoot and grain accumulation.

DRIS Norms for Pera Orange

Chemical analysis of leaves is an effective tool for detecting nutritional imbalances and providing data for fertilizer recommendations. Therefore, it is extremely important to establish criteria for interpreting these results. The DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) method is an alternative to the interpretation of results of leaf analysis as it allows the calculation of indexes for each nutrient, using its relations with others and comparing them with a reference population. Thus, we aimed to establish preliminary DRIS norms, by both Beaufils’s and Jones’s methods, and to derive critical levels and nutrient sufficiency ranges in the leaf tissue for Pêra orange, by studying a commercial crop in the growing conditions of the São Paulo state. The methods (Beaufils and Jones) differed in the limiting nutrients in the Pêra orange orchard. The use of regional norms must be prioritized because of differences between the management methods applied. In the methods used, the nutrients that had a greater number of concordant cases in decreasing order: Mn > Mg > B > N > Cu > Fe > Zn > K > P > Ca. Amplitudes related to the DRIS methods used were narrower than the conventional literature.

Phosphorus Uptake by Upland Rice From Superphosphate Fertilizers Produced With Sulfuric Acid Treatments of Brazilian Phosphate Rocks

Upland rice is an important crop in Brazilian agriculture and phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most yield limiting factors for this crop. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating response of upland rice to P rate and sources. The treatment consisted five P rates: 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg dm−3 supplied through four P sources: Araxa, Catalão, Irece, and Lagamar. The soil used in the experiment was a Typic Hapludox. Rice grain yield, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight was significantly increased with increasing resin extractable P in the soil. Maximum shoot dry weight and grain yield was achieved with resin extractable P of 30 mg P dm−3. However, root dry weight increased linearly with increasing P concentration in the range of 4 to 72 mg dm−3. Shoot dry weight, grain yield, and root dry weight increased significantly in a quadratic fashion with increasing P concentration in the shoot. Rice yield and P uptake were not affected significantly with P sources. Grain Cd concentration also was significantly affected by P rates but did not exceed the permissible concentration for human consumption, according to Brazilian food legislation.

Depicting the physiological and ultrastructural responses of soybean plants to Al stress conditions

Aluminium (Al) is a toxic element for plants living in soils with acidic pH values, and it causes reductions in the roots and shoots development. High Al concentrations can cause physiological and structural changes, leading to symptoms of toxicity in plant tissue. The aim of this study was to describe the Al toxicity in soybean plants through physiological, nutritional, and ultrastructure analyses. Plants were grown in nutrient solution containing increasing Al concentrations (0; 0.05; 0.1; 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mmol L-1). The Al toxicity in the soybean plants was characterized by nutritional, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical analyses. The carbon dioxide assimilation rates and stomatal conductance were not affected by the Al. However, the capacity for internal carbon use decreased, and the transpiration rate increased, resulting in increased root biomass at the lowest Al concentration in the nutrient solution. The soybean plants exposed to the highest Al concentration exhibited lower root and shoot biomass. The nitrate reductase and urease activities decreased with the increasing Al concentration, indicating that nitrogen metabolism was halted. The superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities increased with the increasing Al availability in the nutrient solution, and they were higher in the roots, showing their role in Al detoxification. Despite presenting external lesions characterized by a damaged root cap, the root xylem and phloem diameters were not affected by the Al. However, the leaf xylem diameter showed ultrastructural alterations under higher Al concentrations in nutrient solution. These results have contributed to our understanding of several physiological, biochemical and histological mechanisms of Al toxicity in soybean plants.

Prognosis of physiological disorders in physic nut to N, P, and K deficiency during initial growth

The description of physiological disorders in physic nut plants deficient in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) may help to predict nutritional imbalances before the appearance of visual symptoms and to guide strategies for early nutrient supply. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of physic nuts (Jatropha curcas L.) during initial development by analyzing the gas exchange parameters, nutrient uptake and use efficiency, as well as the nitrate reductase and acid phosphatase activities and polyamine content. Plants were grown in a complete nutrient solution and solutions from which N, P or K was omitted. The nitrate reductase activity, phosphatase acid activity, polyamine content and gas exchange parameters from leaves of N, P and K-deficient plants indicates earlier imbalances before the appearance of visual symptoms. Nutrient deficiencies resulted in reduced plant growth, although P- and K-deficient plants retained normal net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (k) during the first evaluation periods, as modulated by the P and K use efficiencies. Increased phosphatase acid activity in P-deficient plants may also contribute to the P use efficiency and to A and gs during the first evaluations. Early physiological and biochemical evaluations of N-, P- and K-starved plants may rely on reliable, useful methods to predict early nutritional imbalances.