Tadeu Luis Tiecher

Copper uptake, accumulation and physiological changes in adult grapevines in response to excess copper in soil

AimsThis study investigated Cu uptake and accumulation as well as physiological and biochemical changes in grapevines grown in soils containing excess Cu.MethodsThe grapevines were collected during two productive cycles from three vineyards with increasing concentrations of Cu in the soil and at various growth stages, before and after the application of Cu-based fungicides. The Cu concentrations in the grapevine organs and the macronutrients and biochemical parameters in the leaf blades were analyzed.ResultsAt close to the flowering stage of the grapevines, the concentration and content of Cu in the leaves were increased. However, the Cu concentrations in the roots, stem, shoots and bunches did not correlate with the metal concentrations in the soil. The application of Cu-based fungicides to the leaves increased the Cu concentrations in the shoots, leaves and rachis; however, the effect of the fungicides on the Cu concentration in the berries was not significant. The biochemical analyses of the leaf blades demonstrated symptoms of oxidative stress that correlated with the Cu concentrations in soil.ConclusionsThe increased availability of Cu in soil had a slight effect on the levels and accumulation of Cu in mature grapevines during the productive season and did not alter the nutritional status of the plant. However, increased Cu concentrations were observed in the leaves. The evidence of oxidative stress in the leaves correlated with the increased levels of Cu in soil.

Mobility of copper and zinc fractions in fungicide-amended vineyard sandy soils

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mobility of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the profile and distribution of sandy soil fractions from vineyards. Soil samples were collected from two vineyards of different ages (14 and 30 years) and a natural field area in the south of Brazil. The chemical characteristics, Cu levels and Zn levels, were analyzed in the soils by extraction with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) using the 3050B method of USEPA and by chemical fractionation. Cu and Zn were accumulated in the vineyard soils, especially in the uppermost soil layers and in the soil from the oldest vineyard. Approximately, 75% of the total Cu was extracted by EDTA, but only 30% of the total Zn was extracted by EDTA. Most of the Cu, especially in the oldest vineyard, was distributed in the mineral-associated fraction, which is characterized by low geochemical mobility, but another important part of the Cu was distributed in the soil organic matter. Most of the Zn in the soil was distributed in the residual and mineral-associated fractions, which are characterized by low mobility and have potential for causing toxicity to plants.

Frações de fósforo no solo após sucessivas aplicações de dejetos de suínos em plantio direto

The objective of this work was to quantify the accumulation of phosphorus fractions in the soil subjected to successive pig slurry applications in a no-tillage system. At Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, 0, 20, 40 and 80 m3 ha-1 doses of pig slurry were broadcasted for seven years on Argissolo Vermelho arenoso (Arenic Hapludult) before sowing each winter or summer crop, totalizing 0, 584, 1,168 and 2,336 kg ha-1 of P from pig slurry. Soil samples were collected in 0-2, 4-6, 8-10, 14-16 and 20-25 cm layers and submitted to P fractionation. Applications of pig slurry during seven years increased P contents to a depth of 25 cm, especially in the inorganic fractions extractable by anion exchange resin, NaHCO3 0.5 mol L-1 and NaOH 0.1 mol L-1. Pig slurry doses did not increase P content in organic fractions extracted by NaHCO3 0.5 mol L-1, but increased the content of organic fractions extracted by NaOH 0.5 e 0.1 mol L-1. Pig slurry applied to soil for large period has little effect on the P partition in inorganic and organic fractions. Successive pig slurry applications increase P contents in the soil predominantly in labile fractions, which can represent a potential risk for waterbeds contamination.

Nutrients in soil layers under no-tillage after successive pig slurry applications

Successive applications of pig slurry to soils under no-tillage can increase the nutrient levels in the uppermost soil layers and part of the nutrients may be transferred to deeper layers. The objective was to evaluate the distribution of nutrients in the profile of a soil after 19 pig slurry applications under no-tillage for 93 months. The experiment was conducted from May 2000 to January 2008 in an experimental area of the Federal University of Santa Maria, southern Brazil, on a Typic Hapludalf. The treatments consisted of pig slurry applications (0, 20, 40 and 80 m3 ha-1) and at the end of the experiment, soil samples were collected (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 levels of mineral N, available P and K and total N, P and K were evaluated. The 19 pig slurry applications in 93 months promoted migration of total N and P down to 30 cm and available P and K to the deepest layer analyzed. At the end of the experiment, no increase was observed in mineral N content in the deeper layers, but increased levels of available P and K, showing a transfer of N, P and K to layers below the sampled. This evidences undesirable environmental and economic consequences of the use of pig slurry and reinforces the need for a more rational use, i.e., applications of lower manure doses, combined with mineral fertilizers.

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.

Pig slurry and nutrient accumulation and dry matter and grain yield in various crops

O dejeto liquido de suinos (DLS) representa importante fonte de nutrientes as plantas e sua utilizacao como adubo para as culturas significa a possibilidade de maior ciclagem de nutrientes no ambiente. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar como as doses de DLS, aplicadas ao longo de alguns anos, podem impactar a producao de graos, de materia seca e o acumulo de nutrientes em culturas de graos comerciais e em plantas de cobertura do solo. O experimento foi realizado na area experimental da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, em Santa Maria, RS, no periodo de maio de 2000 a janeiro de 2008. Nesse periodo, foram implantadas 19 culturas de graos e de cobertura de solo, sendo aplicado DLS antes da semeadura de cada cultura, nas doses de 0, 20, 40 e 80 m3 ha-1. O aumento da dose de DLS aplicada ao longo de anos promoveu o incremento da disponibilidade de nutrientes, notadamente de P, mas tambem de nutrientes que podem ser potencialmente toxicos as plantas, especialmente Cu e Zn. A recuperacao aparente de nutrientes pelas culturas de graos comerciais e de cobertura do solo diminuiu a medida que aumentou o numero de aplicacoes de doses de DLS no solo. A producao de materia seca acumulada das culturas e a producao de graos de milho foram maiores com a dose anual de 80 m3 ha-1 de DLS. Entretanto, a produtividade de graos de feijao elevou ate 20 m3 ha-1 de DLS, evidenciando que, na definicao da dose, deve ser considerada a cultura a ser estabelecida.

Triggered antioxidant defense mechanism in maize grown in soil with accumulation of Cu and Zn due to intensive application of pig slurry

The present study investigated changes in both the growth parameters and the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems of maize (Zea may L.) plants grown in Typic Hapludalf soil containing an accumulation of Cu and Zn. This accumulation developed because the soil received nineteen applications of pig slurry in no-tillage system over seven years. In this study, the maize plants were grown for fifteen and 25 days after emergence (DAE) in pots containing undisturbed and disturbed soil samples collected from a field experiment that received the rates 0, 20, 40 and 80m(3)ha(-1) of pig slurry, which totalized the amount of 0, 380, 760 and 1520m(3)ha(-1) of pig slurry in seven years, respectively, and phosphorus (P)+potassium (K) treatment (in disturbed soil samples). The maize plants grown in the undisturbed soil samples with an accumulation of Cu and Zn did not indicate an apparent decrease in growth. However, when compared to the treatment with PK fertilization, the maize plants grown in the disturbed soil with pig slurry treatments indicated higher lipid peroxidation and a number of senescent leaves, as well as a significant decrease in plant height. Additionally, when compared to the PK treatment, the leaf superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities decreased and increased, respectively, with the addition of pig slurry treatments in the disturbed soil at 25 DAE. In general, when compared to the treatments with 20m(3)ha(-1) of pig slurry and PK at fifteen and 25 DAE, the leaf ascorbic acid and non-protein thiol groups concentrations decreased with the addition of 40 and 80m(3)ha(-1) of pig slurry. This result suggests that the excess of Cu and Zn in the pig slurry significantly changed the antioxidant system of the maize plants.

Available content, surface runoff and leaching of phosphorus forms in a typic hapludalf treated with organic and mineral nutrient sources

The application of animal manure to soil can increase phosphorus availability to plants and enhance transfer of the nutrient solution drained from the soil surface or leached into the soil profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of successive applications of organic and mineral nutrient sources on the available content, surface runoff and leaching of P forms in a Typic Hapludalf in no-tillage systems. Experiment 1 was set up in 2004 in the experimental area of UFSM, in Santa Maria (RS, Brazil). The treatments consisted of: control (without nutrient application) and application of pig slurry (PS), pig deep-litter (PL), cattle slurry (CS), and mineral fertilizers (NPK). The rates were determined to meet the N crop requirements of no-tillage black oat and maize, grown in the 2010/2011 growing season. The soil solution was collected after each event (rain + runoff or leaching) and the soluble, particulate and total P contents were measured. In November 2008, soil was collected in 2 cm intervals to a depth of 20 cm, in 5 cm intervals to a depth of 40 cm, and in 10 cm intervals to a depth of 70 cm. The soil was dried and ground, and P determined after extraction by anion exchange resin (AER). In experiment 2, samples collected from the Typic Hapludalf near experiment 1 were incubated for 20, 35, 58, 73 and 123 days after applying the following treatments: soil, soil + PS, soil + PL, soil + CS and soil + NPK. Thereafter, the soil was sampled and P was analyzed by AER. The applications of nutrient sources over the years led to an increase in available P and its migration in the soil profile. This led to P transfer via surface runoff and leaching, with the largest transfer being observed in PS and PL treatments, in which most P was applied. The soil available P and P transfer via surface runoff were correlated with the amounts applied, regardless of the P source. However, P transfer by leaching was not correlated with the applied nutrient amount, but rather with the solution amount leached in the soil profile.

Forms and accumulation of copper and zinc in a sandy typic hapludalf soil after long-term application of pig slurry and deep litter

Successive applications of pig slurry and pig deep litter may lead to an accumulation of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) fractions in the soil profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Cu and Zn forms and accumulation in a Sandy Typic Hapludalf soil after long-term application of pig slurry and deep litter. In March 2010, eight years after initiating an experiment in Braco do Norte, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, on a Sandy Typic Hapludalf soil, soil samples were collected from the 0-2.5, 2.5-5.0, 5-10 and 10-15 cm layers in treatments consisting of no manure application (control) and with applications of pig slurry and deep litter at two levels: the single and double rate of N requirement for maize and black oat succession. The soil was dried, ground in an agate mortar and analyzed for Cu and Zn contents by 0.01 mol L-1 EDTA and chemically fractionated to determine Cu and Zn. The applications of Pig deep litter and slurry at doses equivalent to 90 kg ha-1 N increased the contents of available Cu and Zn in the surface soil layer, if the double of this dose was applied in pig deep litter or double this dose in pig slurry, Cu and Zn migrated to a depth of 15 cm. Copper is accumulated mainly in the organic and residual fractions, and zinc preferentially in the fraction linked to clay minerals, especially in the surface soil layers.

Effects of zinc addition to a copper-contaminated vineyard soil on sorption of Zn by soil and plant physiological responses.

The occurrence of high levels of Cu in vineyard soils is often the result of intensive use of fungicides for the preventive control of foliar diseases and can cause toxicity to plants. Nowadays many grape growers in Southern Brazil have replaced Cu-based with Zn-based products. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the increase in Zn concentration in a soil with high Cu contents can interfere with the dynamics of these elements, and if this increase in Zn may cause toxicity to maize (Zea mays L.). Soil samples were collected in two areas, one in a vineyard with more than 30 years of cultivation and high concentration of Cu and the other on a natural grassland area adjacent to the vineyard. Different doses of Cu and Zn were added to the soil, and the adsorption isotherms were built following the Langmuirs model. In a second experiment, the vineyard soil was spiked with different Zn concentrations (0, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 270mg Zn kg(-1)) in 3kg pots where maize was grown in a greenhouse for 35 days. When Cu and Zn were added together, there was a reduction in the quantities adsorbed, especially for Zn. Zn addition decreased the total plant dry matter and specific leaf mass. Furthermore, with the increase in the activity of catalase, an activation of the antioxidant system was observed. However, the system was not sufficiently effective to reverse the stress levels imposed on soil, especially in plants grown in the highest doses of Zn. At doses higher than 90Znmgkg(-1) in the Cu-contaminated vineyard soil, maize plants were no longer able to activate the protection mechanism and suffered from metal stress, resulting in suppressed dry matter yields due to impaired functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus and changes in the enzymatic activity of plants. Replacement of Cu- by Zn-based fungicides to avoid Cu toxicity has resulted in soil vineyards contaminated with these metals and damaging of plant photosynthetic apparatus and enzyme activity.