Luciano Façanha Marques

Produção de mudas de alface com biofertilizantes e substratos

The development of lettuce plantlets was evaluated, employing different substrate types and applying foliar biofertilization. The research was done in a green house in Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The experimental design was of randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were composed of the interaction substract type (composed organic, Golden Mix 11, washed sand and humus + washed sand 1:1) and fertilizer (the commercial organo-mineral Fertamin, the witness and tree biofertilizer types). Plantlets were foliar fertilized 8 and 15 days after sowing date. Plantlets treated with Fertamim presented the best results in the dry matter of the aerial part, dry matter of roots and number of leaves. Among the biofertilizers, the one based on cattle manure, leached ash, milk and broth of sugar cane presented the lesser values for the same evaluated characteristics. The organic substract presented the highest values for all the appraised characteristics, except for root length.

Long-term effects of alternative and conventional fertilization I: Effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community composition

The influence of long-term fertilization on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community composition was investigated. Soil samples were taken from a long-term field experiment which was conducted for 5 years to explore the effect of three treatments: control (non-fertilization), conventional (mineral fertilizers—NPK), and alternative (organic fertilizers—farmyard manure). The highest values of AMF community composition were found in the alternative fertilization system after the thirty year of its utilization. After the thirty year the conventional fertilization system showed lower AMF diversity compared to alternative fertilization system. In conclusion the alternative fertilization system enhanced mycorrhizal effectiveness that contributes to increase wheat growth after a long-term experiment. Our findings also suggest that inputs of organic matter source can change positively the AMF community composition, and these results highlight the importance of considering the long-term effect of mineral and organic fertilizers on the AMF community diversity. Thus, the long-term utilization of an alternative fertilization system with continuous input of organic matter may exploit positive situations of jointly beneficial biotic and abiotic conditions.

Agricultural management practices: Effects on soil properties, root growth and sesame yield

The influence of agricultural management practices, such as organic fertilisation and plant densities on soil properties, root growth, and sesame yield were investigated. Soil samples (depth of 0–20 cm) were taken from a field study with sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivated on a Chromic Luvisol, which was conducted to explore the effects of six fertilisation systems [Non-fertilisation (Control); Mineral fertilisation (Min); Organic fertilisation with 2 (Org-1) and 3 Mg ha–1 (Org-2) of commercial organic fertiliser Organus B; and with 1 (Tak 1) and 2 Mg ha–1 (Tak-2) of commercial organic fertiliser Takamix] and two plant densities [111111 (Pdens1) and 55555 (Pdens2) plants ha–1), in a factorial design (6 × 2) with four blocks. The highest values of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, root density and sesame yield were found in the Org-2 fertilisation and Pdens1 treatments. We found that organic fertilisation combined with Pdens1 significantly increased root growth. Organic fertilisation treatments were able to maintain 80% of sesame roots distributed at a soil depth of 0–10 cm, whereas the last 20% were distributed at a soil depth of 10.1–20 cm. In conclusion the utilization of commercial organic fertilisers as an organic matter source enhanced soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and root density that contributed to increase sesame yield. Our findings also suggest that inputs of organic matter source with a correct plant density might change positively soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, root growth, root distribution and sesame yield.

Long-term effects of alternative and conventional fertilization II: Effects on Triticum aestivum L. development and soil properties from a Brazilian ferralsols

The influence of long-term fertilization on plant development and soil properties was investigated. Soil samples were taken from a long-term field experiment which was conducted for 5 years to explore the effect of three treatments: control (non-fertilization), conventional (mineral fertilizers—NPK), and alternative (organic fertilizers—farmyard manure). The highest values of plant yield and soil properties were found in the alternative fertilization system after the thirty year of its utilization. Conventional fertilization showed positive effects until the second year of its utilization where enhanced soil fertility (total nitrogen and available phosphorous content) and plant development (plant yield, plant dry biomass, plant phosphorous concentration, and plant nitrogen concentration). After the thirty year the conventional fertilization system showed lower values for these studied variables compared to alternative fertilization system. Our findings suggest that inputs of organic matter source can change positively the wheat growth and soil fertility, and these results highlight the importance of considering the long-term effect of mineral and organic fertilizers on these variables.The influence of long-term fertilization on plant development and soil properties was investigated. Soil samples were taken from a long-term field experiment which was conducted for 5 years to explore the effect of three treatments: control (non-fertilization), conventional (mineral fertilizers—NPK), and alternative (organic fertilizers—farmyard manure). The highest values of plant yield and soil properties were found in the alternative fertilization system after the thirty year of its utilization. Conventional fertilization showed positive effects until the second year of its utilization where enhanced soil fertility (total nitrogen and available phosphorous content) and plant development (plant yield, plant dry biomass, plant phosphorous concentration, and plant nitrogen concentration). After the thirty year the conventional fertilization system showed lower values for these studied variables compared to alternative fertilization system. Our findings suggest that inputs of organic matter source can change positively the wheat growth and soil fertility, and these results highlight the importance of considering the long-term effect of mineral and organic fertilizers on these variables.