Valdemar Faquin

Calagem e adubação orgânica: influência na adsorção de fósforo em solos

Liming and organic fertilizers can reduce P adsorption/precipitation in the soil, increasing the availability for plant uptake. To evaluate the effect of liming and cattle manure on phosphorus adsorption in the soil, four experiments were conducted in an entirely randomized design, in a 4 x 5 factorial layout with four replications, in a greenhouse. The treatments consisted of four liming levels (0; 0,5; 1 and 2 times the recommended dose to reach V = 60%) and five doses of cattle manure (0; 2,5; 5,0; 7,5 and 10% of the total soil volume), applied in samples of four dm3 of orthic Quartzarenic Neosol sand texture, dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol sandy clay texture, dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol sandy clay loam texture and dystrophic Red Latosol clay texture soils; each soil represented an experiment. The values of equilibrium phosphorus (P-rem), maximum P adsorption capacity (MPAC) and the soil P buffering index (PBI) were evaluated and subjected to fitting of multiple regression models as a function of the applied lime and cattle (bovine) manure. Liming and manure fertilizer caused a reduction of MPAC and increase in P-rem and PBI. The alterations of these values was associated to soil mineralogy and texture; P adsorption increased with the oxidic character of the soils. Results evidenced the importance of soil management systems that contemplate acidity correction and increase in organic matter levels to optimize the P use by crops.

Selenium accumulation in lettuce germplasm

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for animals and humans. Increasing Se content in food crops offers an effective approach to reduce the widespread selenium deficiency problem in many parts of the world. In this study, we evaluated 30 diverse accessions of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) for their capacity to accumulate Se and their responses to different forms of Se in terms of plant growth, nutritional characteristics, and gene expression. Lettuce accessions responded differently to selenate and selenite treatment, and selenate is superior to selenite in inducing total Se accumulation. At least over twofold change in total Se levels between cultivars with high and low Se content was found. Synergistic relationship between Se and sulfur accumulation was observed in nearly all accessions at the selenate dosage applied. The change in shoot biomass varied between lettuce accessions and the forms of Se used. The growth-stimulated effect by selenate and the growth-inhibited effect by selenite were found to be correlated with the alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities. The different ability of lettuce accessions to accumulate Se following selenate treatment appeared to be associated with an altered expression of genes involved in Se/S uptake and assimilation. Our results provide important information for the effects of different forms of Se on plant growth and metabolism. They will also be of help in selecting and developing better cultivars for Se biofortification in lettuce.

Impact of selenium supply on Se-methylselenocysteine and glucosinolate accumulation in selenium-biofortified Brassica sprouts

Brassica sprouts are widely marketed as functional foods. Here we examined the effects of Se treatment on the accumulation of anticancer compound Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMSCys) and glucosinolates in Brassica sprouts. Cultivars from the six most extensively consumed Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, green cabbage, Chinese cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts) were used. We found that Se-biofortified Brassica sprouts all were able to synthesize significant amounts of SeMSCys. Analysis of glucosinolate profiles revealed that each Brassica crop accumulated different types and amounts of glucosinolates. Cauliflower sprouts had high total glucosinolate content. Broccoli sprouts contained high levels of glucoraphanin, a precursor for potent anticancer compound. Although studies have reported an inverse relationship between accumulation of Se and glucosinolates in mature Brassica plants, Se supply generally did not affect glucosinolate accumulation in Brassica sprouts. Thus, Brassica vegetable sprouts can be biofortified with Se for the accumulation of SeMSCys without negative effects on chemopreventive glucosinolate contents.

Doses e fontes de nitrogênio em pastagem de capim-marandu: I - alterações nas características químicas do solo

Nitrogen deficiency is one of the important causes of degradation of cultivated pasture, mainly in the case of Brachiaria pastures. Soil recovery is a way to restore the productive capacity of pastures in degradation. Among nutrients, nitrogen is considered essential and largely responsible for pasture area recovery. The research objective was to evaluate the effects of application of nitrogen doses and sources on marandu grass pasture over a period of three years, based on soil chemical characteristics such as pH, exchangeable aluminum, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen (N-NO3-, N-NH4+). The experiment was carried out from July 2003 to March 2006 on a model farm of the Universidade Estadual de Goias, in an area of 882 m2. Pasture had been grown for more than ten years and was considered in moderate degradation phase, in view of the low herbage yields. A split-plot combination with three replications was used. The experiment had a complete randomized block, 2 x 4 factorial design, with two N sources (ammonium sulfate and urea) and four N doses (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1 yr-1 ). After three years of continuous nitrogen application at highest doses to marandu grass, the soil pH decreased from 5.6 to 4.6 and Al3+ content increase from 0.05 to 0.41 cmolc dm-3. The ammonium sulfate source increased soil acidity more than urea. Application of high nitrogen rates increased Al and organic matter contents, soil total nitrogen, N-NO3- and N-NH4+. The N-NH4+ contents were higher than N-NO3- in all nitrogen doses and years evaluated.

CRESCIMENTO INICIAL DE ESPÉCIES FLORESTAIS DE DIFERENTES GRUPOS SUCESSIONAIS EM RESPOSTA A DOSES DE FÓSFORO

Objetivando avaliar a resposta de especies florestais ao fornecimento de P, conduziu-se um ensaio sob condicoes de casa de vegetacao, cultivando-se mudas das especies arboreas pioneiras (aroeira - Lithraea molleoides; aroeirinha - Schinus terebinthifolius; jacare - Piptadenia gonoacantha; sabia - Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia; sesbânia - Sesbania virgata), climax exigente em luz (jatoba - Hymenaea courbaril), e climax tolerantes a sombra (guanandi - Calophyllum brasiliensis; ipe-amarelo - Tabebuia serratifolia; oleo-balsamo - Myroxylon peruiferum). Utilizaram-se cinco doses de P, correspondentes a 0, 100, 250, 500 e 800 mg dm-3 de P. Foram avaliados o diâmetro do caule, a altura e a materia seca de raizes, parte aerea e total das plantas. As especies pioneiras foram mais responsivas ao fornecimento de P, indicando a necessidade do suprimento deste nutriente para o adequado desenvolvimento destas especies. As especies climax mostraram-se pouco sensiveis ao suprimento de P, refletindo um baixo requerimento na fase de mudas. Diferencas em relacao a taxa de crescimento e ao tamanho das sementes podem estar ligadas ao comportamento contrastante observado para especies pioneiras e climax.

Intervalo de corte na produção de massa seca e composição químico-bromatológica da Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-5

O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetacao, na Embrapa Arroz e Feijao, com o objetivo de avaliar o intervalo de corte na producao de massa seca, altura de planta e composicao quimico-bromatologica da Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-5. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos constituiram de quatro intervalos de corte (15, 20, 30 e 60 dias), com cinco repeticoes, totalizando 20 parcelas. Foram aplicados 100 mg dm-3 de nitrogenio, utilizando como fonte o sulfato de amonio, em todas as parcelas. A adubacao nitrogenada foi parcelada, de acordo com os cortes de avaliacoes. Foram realizados quatro cortes para o intervalo de 15 dias, tres cortes para o de 20 dias, dois cortes para o de 30 dias e um corte para o de 60 dias. A forrageira foi cortada a uma altura de 5 cm do solo. O aumento no intervalo de corte na Brachiaria brizantha cv. M-5 determina acrescimos na producao de massa seca e teores de FDN e FDA. Contudo, o inverso pode ser observado no teor de PB e concentracoes de P, Cu e Fe.

Assessment of the Anticancer Compounds Se-Methylselenocysteine and Glucosinolates in Se-Biofortified Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) Sprouts and Florets

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is a rich source of chemopreventive compounds. Here, we evaluated and compared the effect of selenium (Se) treatment on the accumulation of anticancer compounds Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMSCys) and glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts and florets. Total Se and SeMSCys content in sprouts increased concomitantly with increasing Se doses. Selenate was superior to selenite in inducing total Se accumulation, but selenite is equally effective as selenate in promoting SeMSCys synthesis in sprouts. Increasing sulfur doses reduced total Se and SeMSCys content in sprouts treated with selenate, but not in those with selenite. Examination of five broccoli cultivars reveals that sprouts generally have better fractional ability than florets to convert inorganic Se into SeMSCys. Distinctive glucosinolate profiles between sprouts and florets were observed, and sprouts contained approximately 6-fold more glucoraphanin than florets. In contrast to florets, glucosinolate content was not affected by Se treatment in sprouts. Thus, Se-enriched broccoli sprouts are excellent for simultaneous accumulation of chemopreventive compounds SeMSCys and glucoraphanin.

Doses e fontes de nitrogênio em pastagem de capim-marandu: II - nutrição nitrogenada da planta

Nitrogen fertilization positively influences nutritional aspects in grass and can result in largely recovered pastures. The research objective was to study the nutrition of marandu grass treated with nitrogen doses and sources, by methods of indirect determination of chlorophyll (SPAD) and total nitrogen concentration and the relation between them and inorganic nitrogen contents (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) in plant leaves. The experiment was carried out from July of 2003 to March of 2006 on a model farm of the Universidade Estadual de Goias, in an area of 882 m2. The pasture had been used for more than ten years and the herbage yield was low and considered moderately degraded. A split-plot with three replications was used. The experiment had a complete randomized block, 2 x 4 factorial design, with two nitrogen sources (ammonium sulfate and urea) and four nitrogen doses (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1 yr-1 ). In each year, marandu grass was cut and evaluated three times. Chlorophyll contents increased owing to the nitrogen doses and over the years. Nitrogen concentration was highest after the application of highest nitrogen doses in form of ammonium sulfate. The chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen concentration in newly expanded leaves of marandu grass were directly related. Mineral nitrogen concentration (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) represented little total nitrogen fraction of forage lives. Chlorophyll meter can be used for evaluation of nutritional state of marandu grass to know nitrogen absorption. The inorganic nitrogen concentration (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) represented a small fraction of total nitrogen in the forage leaves.

Nutrição mineral, crescimento e teor de óleo essencial da menta em solução nutritiva sob diferentes concentrações de fósforo e épocas de coleta

The effect of P concentrations and harvest period upon the growth, mineral nutrition and essential oil content of mint (Mentha piperita L.) was evaluated. The experimental design was of randomized blocks in a split-plot scheme, in a 2x5 factorial with four replications, being two harvest periods (65 and 95 days of cultivation (DC)) and five concentrations of P in the nutrient solution (6; 12; 18; 24 and 30 mg L-1) evaluated. The leaves dry weight (MSF), stems dry weight (MRS), roots dry weight (MSR), total dry weight (MST), leaf:stem ratio (F:C) and aerial part:root ratio (PA:R) were evaluated. The essential oil content in fresh leaves was determined. The critical levels and nutrient accumulation in leaves and stems were estimated through leaves and stems chemical analysis. The level of P increased the leaf dry matter production 65 DC. At 95 DC, the P concentration in the nutrient solution, did significantly increase plant growth and essential oil content, the maximum essential oil content being (2.192 dag kg-1) obtained with 19.48 mg L-1 of P. The higher P concentration in nutrient solution (24 and 30 mg L-1), increased the fresh and dry matter of the aerial portion of the plants, but, decreased the essential oil content. Due to the dilution effect, the increase of fresh and dry matter production did not result in an increase in the oil yield per plant. The critical levels of nutrients in the leaves corresponding to the maximum essential oil content at 95 DC in g kg-1 were: N=37,2; P=3,9; K=21,2; Ca=9,3; Mg=3,8; S=3,0 and, in mg kg-1: B=35; Cu=8; Fe=323; Mn=145 and Zn=22. The nutrients requested at 95 DC related to the maximum essential oil content was: N>K>Ca>P>Mg>S>Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu.

Fertilizantes fosfatados e produção da soja em solos com diferentes capacidades tampão de fosfato

The efficiency of three new phosphate fertilizers (test sources, TS) was assessed and compared to traditional P fertilizers in terms of nutrition and yield of soybeans, on three different soils: a Quartzarenic Neosol, a loamy dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol, and a clayey dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol. The greenhouse experiments, in a factorial layout of (2 x 4) + 8, compared two TS (TS1 and TS2) in four doses, with eight additional treatments for each soil [triple superphosphate with calcitic lime, triple superphosphate with dolomitic lime, triple superphosphate + TS1, triple superphosphate + TS2, magnesium thermophosphate, Araxa rock phosphate, TS3, and a control (no P)]. Based on the remaining-P analysis, different P doses were determined for each soil. P supply by TS1 and TS2 increased the yields of soybean dry matter and grain. The use of TSs, separately or in mixture with triple superphosphate, provided vegetative growth and production of soybean that is comparable to treatments with triple superphosphate and thermophosphate. The increase in the P capacity factor of the soil restricted the P uptake and contributed to a greater P use efficiency for soybean, leveling off the effect of the treatments.