Leandro Souza da Silva

Soil chemical properties related to acidity under successive pig slurry application

Pig slurry application as soil manure can alter the chemical properties of the soil and affect its acidity, modifying the environment for crop growth and development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical properties related to soil acidity subjected to successive applications of pig slurry. The experiment was conducted in May 2000, in an experimental area of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) under no-tillage and lasted until January 2008. Nineteen surface applications of 0, 20, 40, and 80 m3 ha-1 of pig slurry were performed, during a period of 100 months and the soil sampled in the end (layers 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-35, 35-40, 40-50 and 50-60 cm). The application of pig slurry increased soil pH values, an effect that could reach the depth of 8 cm without affecting the potential acidity values. The applications also resulted in accumulation of Ca and Mg exchangeable levels in the surface layers, increasing base saturation and reducing Al saturation. Long-term applications induced an increase in organic matter in the deeper layers. However, the effect of this residue on the potential CEC was less significant and restricted to the surface layers.

Rendimento e acúmulo de nutrientes pelo arroz em solução nutritiva com e sem a adição de silício

Silicon has been considered a beneficial element for plants that accumulate it, specially rice, thus it is quite common its addition to deficient soils. However, its effects seem to depend more on environmental and indirect factors related to soil and silicon sources characteristics. With the objective to study the effect of silicon as the single growth factor of rice (Oryza sativa cv. BR-IRGA 410), an experiment was carried out using nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions, with and without the addition of silicon as SiO2 (powder). Results did not show yield increase in dry matter of roots, stem + leaves and grain. Only husk yield increased with silicon addition. With silicon addition to the nutrient solution, all parts of the plant showed higher concentration of silicon but not the grains. Silicon addition significantly reduced boron and phosphorus concentrations in the roots and boron, calcium, iron and manganese concentrations in the husks. Silicon did not affect the concentration of all other nutrients in the stem + leaves and grain.