Nivaldo Schultz

Atributos químicos e físicos de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo em sistema integrado de produção agroecológica

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of agroecological management systems on physical and chemical attributes of an Udult soil. The following areas were selected: conventional tillage (corn/beans); no tillage (eggplant/corn); consortium of passion fruit/Desmodium sp.; fig cultivation; and an agroforestry system (AFS). The undisturbed soil samples were taken from two layers (0-5 and 5-10 cm) and in two periods, the summer of 2005 and the winter of 2006. The soil properties analyzed were: bulk density (Ds), total pore volume, mean weight diameter (MWD) and mean geometric diameter (MGD) of aggregates, pH, Al, Ca+Mg, K, H+Al, P, and total organic carbon (TOC). The highest values of Ds, P and K were observed in the fig area. The system with corn/beans had the lowest MWD and MGD values. The highest values of MWD and MGD were observed in the passion fruit/Desmodium and eggplant/corn systems. Differences in TOC were greater at the 5-10 cm depth. Soil in the AFS had the highest percentage of total porosity. The analysis of main components showed that the area cultivated with fig had the highest soil fertility.

Avaliação agronômica de variedades de cana‑de‑açúcar inoculadas com bactérias diazotróficas e adubadas com nitrogênio

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiencia da inoculacao de bacterias diazotroficas e da adubacao nitrogenada, em duas variedades de cana-de-acucar, cultivadas nas mesmas condicoes edafoclimaticas. O experimento foi conduzido durante os anos agricolas de 2006/2007 e 2008/2009, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repeticoes, instalado em marco de 2006 em area de cultivo comercial, no Municipio de Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. Os tratamentos foram: inoculacao com bacterias diazotroficas, adubacao com 120 kg ha-1 de N, e o controle sem inoculacao e sem adubacao com nitrogenio. As variedades de cana-de-acucar avaliadas foram RB72454 e RB867515. O inoculante continha estirpes de cinco especies de bacterias diazotroficas. Foram feitas avaliacoes quanto a produtividade de colmos frescos, ao acumulo de materia seca total, ao N total da parte aerea e quanto a abundância natural de 15N do N disponivel no solo e na cana-de-acucar. As variedades apresentaram comportamentos distintos com os tratamentos, em que a RB867515 foi responsiva e a RB72454 nao responsiva a inoculacao e a adubacao nitrogenada. Na variedade RB867515, o crescimento e o acumulo de N total na parte aerea das plantas, promovidos pela inoculacao, foram similares aos do tratamento com adubacao nitrogenada.

Carbono e frações granulométricas da matéria orgânica do solo sob sistemas de produção orgânica

The soil organic matter (SOM) granulometry fractioning can contribute to the understanding of the SOM dynamics in areas under organic production systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the granulometry fractions of SOM and total organic carbon in areas with organic management systems and under different soil usages. The selected areas presented the following systems: conventional tillage (CT, corn/beans), no tillage (NT, eggplant/corn), passion fruit and Desmodium sp consortium, fig grove, and agroforest system (AFS). Soil samples were taken in two depths (0-5 and 5-10cm) and two periods of the year (17/11/2005 - summer and 23/06/2006 - winter). The total organic carbon (TOC) was evaluated, and calculated the TOC stocks. The SOM was granulometrically fractioned, obtaining the particulate organic carbon (POC) and organic carbon associated to minerals (OCam). The fig grove and eggplant/corn areas presented the highest TOC and TOC stocks in the summer season. In the winter the crop rotation (NT and CT) systems were more efficient in the stocking of TOC that the other systems. There were observed highest TOC variations in the 5-10cm depth, resulting from the management systems adopted. From the POC values it was possible to identify differences among all systems evaluated, in the summer season and in the 0-5cm depth, standing out the area with no tillage, which showed the highest values, in the two seasons. The POC was more efficient than the TOC, in the summer, to evidence differences among the evaluated soil usage systems, in the 0-5cm depth. The differences observed among the production systems for OCam were attributed to the constant usage of organic manure.

Inoculation of sugarcane with diazotrophic bacteria

The sugarcane industry, a strategic crop in Brazil, requires technological improvements in production efficiency to increase the crop energy balance. Among the various currently studied alternatives, inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria proved to be a technology with great potential. In this context, the efficiency of a mixture of bacterial inoculant was evaluated with regard to the agronomic performance and N nutrition of sugarcane. The experiment was carried out on an experimental field of Embrapa Agrobiologia, in Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, using a randomized block, 2 × 3 factorial design (two varieties and three treatments) with four replications, totaling 24 plots. The varieties RB867515 and RB72454 were tested in treatments consisting of: inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria, N-fertilized control with 120 kg ha-1 N and absolute control (no inoculation and no N fertilizer). The inoculum was composed of five strains of five diazotrophic species. The yield, dry matter accumulation, total N in the shoot dry matter and the contribution of N by biological fixation were evaluated, using the natural 15N abundance in non-inoculated sugarcane as reference. The bacterial inoculant increased the stalk yield of variety RB72454 similarly to fertilization with 120 kg ha-1 N in the harvests of plant-cane and first ratoon crops, however the contribution of biological N fixation was unchanged by inoculation, indicating that the benefits of the inoculant in sugarcane may have resulted from plant growth promotion.

Quantificação do carbono das substâncias húmicas em diferentes sistemas de uso do solo e épocas de avaliação

The quantification of carbon in different fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) is necessary because of the interest in understanding the potential to capture and store carbon in various soil use systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the carbon of humic substances in different soil use systems and evaluation seasons and correlate it with some chemical and physical properties of a 6%-clayey soil. The systems selected were: conventional tillage (CT-maize/common beans), no tillage (NT-eggplant/maize), passion fruit/Desmodium sp consortium, fig grove, and agroforest system. Soil samples were taken at two depths (0-5 and 5-10 cm) in two seasons of the year (17/11/2005 - summer and 23/06/2006 - winter). The total organic carbon (TOC) was determinated by wet combustion and SOM chemical fractioning was conducted following IHSS method, with determination of organic carbon in humin fraction (C-HUM), humic acid fraction (C-HAF) and fulvic acid fraction (C-FAF). Most of TOC consisted of C-HUM showing significant correlation with TOC in all evaluated systems and seasons. Values of C-FAH showed soil changes due to the use systems at 0-5cm depth in summer, particularly NT which showed the highest C-FAH values. The C-FAF showed similar pattern, but at 5-10cm depth in winter, especially CT. Except for CT, there were found significant correlations between S value, T value and DMP in all systems. Compared to CT, NT showed increasing levels of C-FAH at both depths and in both seasons.

Aporte e decomposição da serapilheira na Floresta Atlântica, ilha da Marambaia, Mangaratiba, RJ.

Litter production and decomposition of an Atlantic Forest fragment in Marambaia Island, Mangaratiba, RJ, were monitored from December 2003 to November 2004. For the litter deposition evaluation, 30 litter traps were installed and 36 litter bags were allocated in the area to quantify litter decomposition. Soil samples were collected at 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth to evaluate soil fertility. The litter production was 7.9 Mg ha -1 and the highest deposition was verified in November and the lowest in June. The leaf fraction presented the highest contribution comparing to the others. In seven months of observation, litter decomposition rate was 40% and showed an exponential decrease. Different behavior for N, P and K release was verified. Exception for P, carbon, nutrients and H+Al presented highest concentrations in superficial layer.

Frações orgânicas e índice de manejo de carbono do solo em diferentes sistemas de produção orgânica

RESUMO O efeito do manejo orgânico pode influenciar positivamente nas fracoes da materia orgânica do solo. Este estudo objetivou avaliar as fracoes orgânicas do solo e o indice de manejo do carbono em areas submetidas a manejo orgânico sob diferentes sistemas de uso do solo. As areas selecionadas apresentavam os seguintes sistemas de uso do solo: preparo convencional (PC) com cultivo de milho, plantio direto (PD) com cultivo de berinjela, preparo reduzido (PR) com cultivo de figo, consorcio maracuja - Desmodium sp e um sistema agroflorestal (SAF). Uma area de floresta secundaria foi tomada como referencia da condicao original do solo. As amostras de terra foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0-5 e 5-10 cm. Foi quantificado o carbono orgânico total (COT), o carbono orgânico particulado (COp) e o carbono orgânico associado aos minerais (COam). Em seguida calcularam-se os respectivos estoques (EstCOT, EstCOp e EstCOam) e o indice de manejo de carbono (IMC). Na profundidade de 0-5 cm observaram-se maiores teores de COT na area de figo (PR) seguido de berinjela (PD), sendo na profundidade de 5-10 cm verificado maiores diferencas entre as areas avaliadas para este atributo. O EstCOp foi maior na area sob plantio direto (0- 5 cm), sendo observado diferencas entre todas as areas nesta profundidade. Esta area tambem apresentou o maior IMC. Os maiores valores de EstCOam foram observados na area de figo (PR), nas duas profundidades, sendo constatadas diferencas entre as demais areas. Os resultados encontrados indicam que o COT foi mais eficiente para identificar mudancas provenientes do manejo adotado na profundidade de 5-10 cm, sendo este comportamento observado para o EstCOp em superficie (0- 5 cm). O IMC encontrado na area de berinjela sob PD, manejado organicamente e com uso de leguminosas na forma de adubacao verde, demonstra a maior sustentabilidade do sistema em relacao as demais areas avaliadas.

Dark septate endophytic fungi help tomato to acquire nutrients from ground plant material.

Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are facultative biotrophs that associate with hundreds of plant species, contributing to their growth. These fungi may therefore aid in the search for sustainable agricultural practices. However, several ecological functions of DSE fungi need further clarification. The present study investigated the effects of DSE fungi inoculation on nutrient recovery efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of tomato plants fertilized with organic and inorganic N sources. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a randomized blocks design, with five replicates of tomato seedlings grown in pots filled with non-sterile sandy soil. Tomato seedlings (cv. Santa Clara I-5300) inoculated with DSE fungi (isolates A101, A104, and A105) and without DSE fungi (control) were transplanted to pots filled with 12 kg of soil which had previously received finely ground plant material [Canavalia ensiformis (L.)] that was shoot enriched with 0.7 atom % 15N (organic N source experiment) or ammonium sulfate-15N enriched with 1 atom % 15N (mineral N source experiment). Growth indicators, nutrient content, amount of nitrogen (N) in the plant derived from ammonium sulfate-15N or C. ensiformis-15N, and recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K by plants were quantified 50 days after transplanting. The treatment inoculated with DSE fungi and supplied with an organic N source showed significantly higher recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K. In addition, the 15N, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn content, plant height, leaf number, leaf area (only for the A104 inoculation), and shoot dry matter increased. In contrast, the only positive effects observed in the presence of an inorganic N source were fertilizer-K recovery efficiency, content of K, and leaf area when inoculated with the fungus A104. Inoculation with A101, A104, and A105 promoted the growth of tomato using organic N source (finely ground C. ensiformis-15N plant material).

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Increase Green Manure-15N Recovery Efficiency, N Contents, and Micronutrients in Rice Grains

An understanding of the interaction between rice and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi, under green fertilization, may lead to sustainable agricultural practices. Nevertheless, this interaction is still poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the accumulation of macro- and micronutrients, dry matter, and protein and N recovery efficiency from Canavalia ensiformis (L.)-15N in rice inoculated with DSE fungi. An experiment under greenhouse conditions was conducted in a randomized complete block design comprising split-plots, with five replicates of rice plants potted in non-sterilized soil. Rice (Piauí variety) seedlings were inoculated with DSE fungi, A101 and A103, or left uninoculated (control) and transplanted into pots containing 12 kg of soil, which had previously been supplemented with dry, finely ground shoot biomass of C. ensiformis enriched with 2.15 atom % 15N. Two collections were performed in the experiment: one at 54 days after transplanting (DAT) and one at 130 DAT (at maturation). Growth indicators (at 54 DAT), grain yield, nutrient content, recovery efficiency, and the amount of N derived from C. ensiformis were quantified. At 54 DAT, the N content, chlorophyll content, and plant height of inoculated plants had increased significantly compared with the control, and these plants were more proficient in the use of N derived from C. ensiformis. At maturation, plants inoculated with A103 were distinguished by the recovery efficiency and amount of N derived from C. ensiformis and N content in the grain and shoot being equal to that in A101 inoculation and higher than that in the control, resulting in a higher accumulation of crude protein and dry matter in the full grain and panicle of DSE-rice interaction. In addition, Fe and Ni contents in the grains of rice inoculated with these fungi doubled with respect to the control, and in A103 inoculation, we observed Mn accumulation that was three times higher than in the other treatments. Our results suggest that the inoculation of rice with DSE fungi represents a strategy to improve green manure-N recovery, grain yield per plant, and grain quality in terms of micronutrients contents in cropping systems with a low N input.

Yield of sugarcane varieties and their sugar quality grown in different soil types and inoculated with a diazotrophic bacteria consortium

Abstract Sugarcane is a crop of great economic, social, and environmental relevance in Brazil. The country is the largest sugar producer and the second largest bioethanol producer in the world. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a sugarcane inoculant composed of five diazotrophic bacterial strains, as well as nitrogen fertilization of two sugarcane varieties. Two experiments were carried out on two varieties using an experimental design composed of complete randomized blocks in a factorial of two varieties and three treatments with four replicates. The treatments can be described as: inoculation with the consortium of five diazotrophic strains, or N fertilization with 120 kg ha−1, and one control treatment. The following parameters were then evaluated: stem yield, accumulation of total dry matter, nitrogen content, quality of the sugarcane juice, and 15N natural abundance on flag-leaves. Inoculation and N fertilization on the Sapucaia plantation promoted increases of stem yield equivalent to 22.3 and 26.5 Mg ha−1 in the RB867515 variety, in comparison to the control, respectively. Inoculation and N fertilizer used for the Coruripe plantation increased stem yield of 38.0 and 42.4 Mg ha−1, respectively, with the RB867515 variety, while RB72454 showed increases of 16.7 and 37.5 Mg ha−1, both compared to the control. Biological nitrogen fixation was not affected by the treatments, however, both treatments increased the total recoverable sugar yield. Benefits from inoculation appeared to promote plant growth due to the plant–bacteria interaction.