Antonio Enedi Boaretto

No Brasil alguns criadores de bovinos estão usando o sistema Voisin de pastejo. Entretanto, dispõe-se de poucas informações a respeito da influência deste sistema de pastejo sobre o solo, em particular...

The nutritional requirements of native forest species can influence productivity. Thus, the understanding of these requirements enables us to optimize the use of inputs and reduce the environmental impacts inforest restoration projects. The present study aimed to evaluate changes in cellular ultrastructure and the anatomy of leaf laminae as well as observe visual signs of nutrient deficiency in young Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kuntze plants, a forest species widely used in ecological restoration projects. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in random blocks with three replications of seven treatments using nutrient subtraction (I.e., control [plants grown with all nutrients], -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, and -S). The plants were harvested 135 days after the beginning of the treatments when the deficiency of the macronutrients resulted in visible abnormalities. Changes in the cell ultrastructure and structure of the chloroplasts, cytoplasm, and stromal lamellae were observed, as well as starch and lipid concentrations in the cytoplasm, intercellular spaces, and parenchymal cells. Changes in the cell ultrastructures, leaf laminae, and visual signs of nutrient deficiency hindered the development of young C. estrellensis plants; therefore, forest restoration projects that use this species in soils that require nutritional supplementation may have limited success in the absence of nutritional support.

O conhecimento dos efeitos da nutrição mineral sobre a fisiologia vegetal de espécies nativas é um importante auxílio para que se obtenha o sucesso desejado quando estas são usadas no reflorestamento ou na recuperação de áreas degradadas. A presente pesquisa avaliou as consequências da deficiência de macronutrientes em Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kintze (jequitibá-branco) nas taxas de assimilação de gás carbônico e de transpiração e na produção de biomassa desta espécie, que é amplamente utilizada na restauração florestal no Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em blocos ao acaso, com sete tratamentos e três repetições, empregando a técnica de diagnose por subtração de macronutrientes, com um tratamento controle no qual o jequitibá-branco foi cultivado em solução nutritiva completa, com todos os macros e micronutrientes. Os teores de nutrientes foram determinados por análise química nos diferentes órgãos do jequitibá-branco; através do analisador de gás por infravermelho portátil (Infrared Gás Analyzer – IRGA, modelo Li-cor 6400) foram determinadas as taxas de assimilação de gás carbônicoe de transpiração em folhas de três partes distintas das plantas, e ao final do experimento foi realizada a determinação da produção de biomassa seca. A deficiência dos macronutrientes, de um modo geral, prejudicou as taxas de assimilação de gás carbônico e de transpiração e, por conseguinte, a produção de biomassa seca das plantas jovens de jequitibá-branco foi menor em relação ao tratamento controle. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a implantação de florestas ou a recuperação de áreas degradadas por meio do reflorestamento que utilizam o jequitibá-branco certamente serão prejudicados se a complementação nutricional não for realizada quando o solo for deficiente em qualquer dos macronutrientes.

Among the toxic elements, Cd has received considerable attention in view of its association with a number of human health problems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cd availability and accumulation in soil, transfer rate and toxicity in lettuce and rice plants grown in a Cd-contaminated Typic Hapludox. Two simultaneous greenhouse experiments with lettuce and rice test plants were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of four Cd rates (CdCl2), 0.0; 1.3; 3.0 and 6.0 mg kg-1, based on the guidelines recommended by the Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo, Brazil (Cetesb). Higher Cd rates increased extractable Cd (using Mehlich-3, Mehlich-1 and DTPA chemical extractants) and decreased lettuce and rice dry matter yields. However, no visual toxicity symptoms were observed in plants. Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA extractants were effective in predicting soil Cd availability as well as the Cd concentration and accumulation in plant parts. Cadmium concentration in rice remained below the threshold for human consumption established by Brazilian legislation. On the other hand, lettuce Cd concentration in edible parts exceeded the acceptable limit.

The cultivation of oleaginous plants like the castor bean guarantees employment for agricultural families and can contribute in energy and chemical sectors, especially in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Brazil. Boron (B) deficiency is a widespread nutritional disorder despite the fact that various anthropogenic sources with high B content may increase soil B to toxic levels for plants. The present study was designed to investigate the ultrastructural effects of boron deficiency and toxicity on castor bean plants which were grown under greenhouse condition using plastic containers with 10 L of nutrient solution. Boron treatments comprised: control (no B); 0.27 mg L-1, 5.40 mg L-1 B pots (one plant per pot), tested in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The dry matter of all plant parts and B concentration were determined. Cellular ultrastructure was evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy on samples of leaves and petioles. Dry matter yield was affected by the B absence treatment but there was no difference for the 5.4 mg L-1 B (toxic conditions) treatment. A marginal leaf burn at edge and tips of oldest leaves and absence of starch granules in chloroplasts were noted for the B toxicity treatment. The deformation of the youngest leaves, the death of the apical meristem as well as the swelling of the middle lamella, absence of starch granules in chloroplasts and petiole vessels untidily were observed in the B absent treatment. It is concluded that the production and development of castor bean plants is affected by boron deficiency, but not for boron toxicity conditions.

Informações sobre absorção de nutrientes em pomares cítricos são importantes para recomendações do manejo da fertilidade do solo. Contudo, estudos sobre a distribuição dos nutrientes na planta e a validação das doses de nitrogênio (N) recomendadas são escassos na literatura brasileira. O presente trabalho avaliou (i) o acúmulo de nutrientes e a distribuição do N (15N) aplicado em citros e (ii) validou a dose de N recomendada para pomares em início de produção. Em laranjeiras 'Pêra' sobre limoeiro 'Cravo', com 3 a 4 anos de idade, foram aplicadas doses de 150; 300; 450 e 600 g de N por planta, como sulfato de amônio, divididas em três parcelas, entre a primavera e o verão. Incluiu-se um tratamento-testemunha sem N. No mesmo pomar, em outras três plantas, aplicaram-se 300 g por planta de N-[(15NH4)2SO 4)] enriquecido em 15N, para estudar o destino do N do fertilizante no pomar. Foram avaliadas a produção de frutos e o aproveitamento do 15N pela biomassa da planta. A eficiência do fertilizante, estimada com base na absorção de N pela planta, variou entre 20% e 27% do total aplicado. Os frutos exportaram 35% do N absorvido do fertilizante, e a dose de 400 g de N proporcionou a máxima produção de laranjas.

Procurando determinar os efeitos da população de plantas nos teores de nutrientes da canola, conduziu-se um experimento, na Fazenda Experimental de São Manuel, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas do Campus de Botucatu (SP), em solo classificado como Latossolo Vermelho - Amarelo, com 9 tratamentos, resultantes da combinação de 3 densidades (6.105, 9.105 e 12.105 plantas ha-1) e 3 espaçamentos (a lanço, 18 e 36 cm), com 4 repetições. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas. Foram colhidas plantas aos 30, 45, 60, 90 e 130 dias após a emergência da cultura, e avaliados os parâmetros produção de matéria seca, teores e conteúdos de nutrientes. Os espaçamentos e as densidades de plantas influenciaram de diferentes modos os teores e conteúdos de nutrientes. O máximo de acúmulo dos macronutrientes e para Zn, Fe , B e deu-se aos 45 dias após emergência das plantas. Para o Cu e o Mn o máximo acúmulo se deu aos 60 dias após emergência da canola.

The wheat crop in São Paulo State, Brazil, is fertilized with N, P and K. The rate of applied N (0 to 120 kg.ha-1) depends on the previous grown crop and the irrigation possibility. The response of wheat to rates and time of N application and the fate of N applied to irrigated wheat were studied during two years. Residual N recovery by soybean grown after the wheat was also studied. The maximum grain productivity was obtained with 92 kg.ha-1 of N. The efficiency of 15N-urea utilization ranged from 52% to 85%. The main loss of applied 15N, 5% to 12% occurred as ammonia volatilized from urea applied on soil surface. The N loss by leaching even at the N rate of 135 kg.ha-1, was less than 1% of applied 15N, due to the low amount of rainfall during the wheat grown season and a controlled amount of irrigated water, that were sufficient to moisten only the wheat root zone. The residual 15N after wheat harvest represents around 40% of N applied as urea: 20% in soil, 3% in wheat root system and 16% in the wheat straw. Soybean recovered less than 2% of the 15N applied to wheat at sowing or at tillering stage.

A lysimeter experiment was carried out with sugarcane aiming to evaluate the leaching of nitrogen derived from either urea (15N) or the soil/sugarcane crop residues. The leaching of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ was also evaluated. The experiment was a factorial 2x4. The influencing factors were: firstly, the differential addition of two kinds of sugarcane remains to the soil, simulating conditions of cane- plantation renewal after the cane crop harvest, with and without previous straw removal by burning; secondly, four doses of N: 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha-1. During the experimental period the total volume of water received by the sugarcane-soil system was 2,015 mm, with 1,255 mm as precipitation and 760 mm as irrigation. The loss of N by leaching from the fertilizer (15N) was not detected. In the first three weeks the largest losses of N by leaching occurred, originating from the soil/sugarcane remains-N. The mean of leached N during the experimental period of 11 months was of 4.5 kg ha-1. The mean losses of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ were of 13, 320 and 80 kg ha-1, respectively.