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Boron (B) is generally present in soil as boric acid (H3BO3), a non-ionized molecule with weak retention in the soil and very leachable. Boron leaching may occur especially when soluble sources are applied in sandy soils in high-rainfall environments. Slow release fertilizers are important for the management of B fertilization and to obtain a desirable residual effect. We produced and evaluated the performance of a new slow release fertilizer made from alginate microspheres containing magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide intercalated with borate (LDH-B-ALG). LDH-B-ALG microspheres and alginate microspheres containing H3BO3 (BA-ALG) were produced using the modified complex coacervation method. The fertilizers were characterized by X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy. The B release test and leaching in soil columns were performed for synthetized fertilizers, H3BO3, and Ulexite. A greenhouse experiment with two responsive species (sunflower and cotton) was carried out using a factorial 2 × (4 + 1) with two soil pH (6.5 and 7.5), four sources of B (LDH-B-ALG, BA-ALG, H3BO3, and Ulexite), and a treatment control, without the application of B. The chemical characterization of LDH-B-ALG showed that LDH (powder) was successfully incorporated into the alginate polymer. The B release and leaching were much lower from LDH-B-ALG compared to conventional B sources. LDH-B-ALG was solubilized into the soil similarly to the other B sources in the greenhouse experiment. The lower release and leaching from LDH-B-ALG improved the accumulation of B in the root zone, consequently increasing the fertilizer efficiency and plant's B uptake. The new fertilizer showed be a suitable source in high-rainfall areas, especially for sandy soils, supplying B in a more adjusted way and reducing leaching losses.

Boron (B) can easily leach into the soil when added in the form of a soluble fertilizer such as borax or boric acid (H3BO3); however, large quantities of B can cause toxicity in plants. The use of a slow release source of B such as layered double hydroxides intercalated with borate may minimize leaching/toxicity of B. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the availability and leaching of B from magnesium–aluminium layered double hydroxides intercalated with borate anions (Mg2Al-B-LDH) and H3BO3 in a sandy soil, and the B bioavailability of these two sources in consecutive cultivations of sunflower. Mg2Al-B-LDH and H3BO3 at two rates (10 and 20 mg dm−3 of B) were incubated for 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 40 days. After incubation, the soil B availability was evaluated using the hot-water extraction method. For the leaching study, 20 mg dm−3 of B from the two sources was incorporated into the top 0.5 cm of soil and incubated for 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days before leaching with water volume equivalent to the total soil-pore space. Sunflower plants were cultivated for two consecutive seasons in greenhouse using Mg2Al-B-LDH and H3BO3 and six rates (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 mg dm−3) in a factorial 2 × 6, with four replicates. Plants received a single application of B before sowing at the first cultivation. H3BO3 had greater availability of B in the soil than Mg2Al-B-LDH regardless of the applied rate or time of incubation. The slow release of B by Mg2Al-B-LDH resulted in a significant reduction in B leached compared to H3BO3. There was a quadratic and linear response of sunflower aboveground biomass and B accumulation with increasing rates of H3BO3 and Mg2Al-B-LDH, respectively, in the second cultivation only. A boron rate of 5 mg dm−3 applied as H3BO3 resulted in plant toxicity, while Mg2Al-B-LDH promoted a slow release of B to the plants throughout the cultivation period.

Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are used in bioleaching processes to recover metals such as gold and copper. The mechanisms for solubilizing metals used by the bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans involve sulfur oxidation reactions, with the consequent formation of acid. In this study, solubilization of a K-silicate rock (verdete rock, VR) was investigated in a biological trial using A. thiooxidans and elemental sulfur (S0). Erlenmeyer flasks containing modified 9 K medium, bacterial cultures and VR were incubated at 30 °C for periods ranging from 0 to 49 days. pH, redox potential were determined, and chemical and mineralogical analyses were performed after each incubation period. In the presence of A. thiooxidans, the estimated initial pH of 4.2 was reduced to 0.57 after 49 days of incubation. Under acidic conditions, partial solubilization of VR was detected by increases in the concentrations of structural elements of rock minerals, such as K, Al, Fe and Si in the medium containing bacteria, which corresponded to 6.6, 5.8, 14.1 and 1.7% of the total content of these elements in VR, respectively. Mineralogical analysis showed similar changes in X-ray Diffraction spectra (XRD) for VR samples in the absence and presence of A. thiooxidans at 49 days. Our study shows that solubilization of VR occurs when A. thiooxidans and S0 are included in the culture medium, suggesting potential use of a biological route to leach value metals from silicate minerals using low energy input, compared to conventional processes in which pure acids/bases or high temperatures are used.

Kamafugite is a group of ultrapotassic igneous minerals, alkaline ultrabasic rocks, composed of leucitite, olivine, leucite, kalsilite, and melilite. In Brazil, Kamafugite can be found at Minas Gerais and Goias state. Based on its composition and the lack of national fertilizer production, it would be an alternative source of potassium, phosphorus, and other important nutrients in agriculture. This research analyzed the morphology feature, the physical and chemistry properties of the material, and its potential as an alternative fertilizer. Samples of the Kamafugite in natura, supplied by Terra Brazil Minerals, were enriched by the addition of MAP, Elementary S, and Ulexite, being the resulting powder granulated. The materials were analyzed by SEM, EDS, TGA, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and IPC-AES. The results showed that Kamafugite rock is a potential source of nutrients for plants, once it is composed of K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, besides Ti. However, is extremely important to analyze the material solubility in water and perform agronomic tests to assure its efficiency.

In this work, a potassium magnesium silicate mineral based on phase K2MgSiO4 was prepared from serpentinite rock and studied as a potential K and Mg slow-release fertilizer. The material was prepared by impregnation of serpentinite/KOH and calcination at 700 °C to produce K2MgSiO4 phase, olivine and forsterite. The release patterns of K and Mg in the stirred-flow trial and leaching through the soil columns showed that K2MgSiO4-based materials released K on lower rates than KCl and MgSO4.7H2O, however, there was no evidence of Mg release. The extraction with 1 mol L-1 NH4OAc showed a considerable content of Mg and K for K2MgSiO4-based materials, due to exchange of NH4+ and Mg2+. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of materials impregnated with K and calcined showed peaks relative to K2MgSiO4. After leaching, the peaks intensity diminished, supporting that part of K leached. Therefore, the samples showed great potential as slow-release K-fertilizers when compared with KCl source.

Rock phosphate (RP) shows reduced dissolution in soils amended with limestone and when applied through spot application. A simple way to improve RP efficiency under these unfavorable conditions may be the combination with nitrogen (N) fertilizers which can increase the solubilization of apatite minerals and/or stimulate P uptake. In this context, we evaluated the agronomic effectiveness of a RP from Bayovar, Peru (BY), combined with different N sources in spot application, in a clayey Oxisol (Typic Hapludox). The pot experiment consisted of a factorial scheme (3 × 2 × 2+4) in randomized block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of BY combined with three N sources (ammonium sulfate–BY+AS; urea–BY+U; potassium nitrate–BY+KN), in two forms (granulated or powdered), and in two N : P molar ratios (0.5 : 1.0 or 1 : 1) and four additional treatments [control: without P; monoammonium phosphate (MAP); powdered BY; granulated BY]. The products were incorporated into a 50 cm3 cylindrical soil volume (central and upper position in the pot: diameter 17 cm and height 15 cm) with three maize plants (Zea mays L.). Above-ground biomass was sampled after 42 d after sowing, analyzed for N and P concentrations to calculate N and P uptake. Soil samples were taken from the cylindrical soil volume and measured for RP dissolution (ΔCa index), P availability (P-resin index), and soil pH. Application of MAP increased soil P availability about 11 times compared with BY treatments. As a result, maize plants grew 3.8 times and absorbed 7.3 and 3.3 times more P and N compared to those fertilized with BY combined with N fertilizers. Compound fertilizers BY+AS and BY+KN had the same effect on N and P uptake, presenting an effectiveness about 12 and 19% greater than pure BY, respectively. Compound fertilizers with BY+AS were more effective in powdered form (with no N/P ratio effect), while BY+KN was more effective in granulated form and in 1 : 1 N : P ratio. BY+U combinations were less efficient in promoting plant P bioavailability than the other N sources. We conclude that Bayovar RP has a low agronomic effectiveness for spot application, even when combined with N.

High N-NH3 losses are expected when conventional urea is applied to the soil surface. In order to reduce it, urea granules could be coated with different materials to decrease fertilizer dissolution rate or to stabilize N-NH4+ by acidification. In this study, we investigated the effect of a polymer-coated urea and powdered S0 added to urea, in the presence or absence of a S-oxidizing bacterium (Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans), on soil pH, SO42- availability, NH4+, and NH3 volatilization. Applying S0 before urea and the inoculation with bacteria have promoted the highest S0 oxidation rates. The greater decrease in soil pH occurred when S0 was applied before urea at a higher dose, which also decreased NH3 volatilization by 83% up to 4 days after urea application. However, the decrease in soil pH did not increase the concentration of NH4+, nor did it decrease the accumulated amount of volatilized NH3 over time. The inoculation of A. thiooxidans accelerates S0 oxidation process, but it was insufficient to counteract the H+ consumption by urea hydrolysis. Therefore, the S0 application with urea did not offer chemical protection against NH3 loss, but a physical barrier in the controlled-release urea had less dissolved urea in soil and reduced NH3 losses.

Natural phosphate rock (NP) solubilization in soils is dependent on the soil pH and its power to remove or drain (sink effect) P and Ca of the solution that is in equilibrium with the NP. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of acidity and P- and Ca-sinks on the solubilization of bayovar reactive rock phosphate (a phosphorite). Samples of this NP in aqueous suspension were placed in a cassette (Slide-A-Lyzzer G2 Dialysis Cassette) compartment and immersed in a beaker containing 150 mL of an aqueous solution with pH adjusted at 4.5 or 6.0, where P- and Ca-sinks individually or in their combinations, were applied. The tested sinks were: Anionic Resin (AR); Cationic Resin (CR); Mixed Resin (MR: AR + CR); Goethite (Goe); Goe + AR; Goe + CR and one control (NP only) in five replicates. Beakers (experimental units) were shaken for 12 h daily, at 130 rpm, until completing 30 days of equilibrium. The suspensions were filtered to extract solution-P from the residue on the filter paper; the labile-P was extracted from this residue using 0.8 mol·L-1 NH4Cl in 2 mol·L-1 HCl and, finally, the remainder P in the same residue together with the filter paper were subjected to nitric-perchloric acid digestion, to determine the P-residual in the extract. Goe caused greater solubilization of the NP, indicating that this P-sink was more effective than AR, causing similar or greater solubilization than CR. AR and CR, in a similar way, significantly restricted the trait characteristic of Goe (p < 0.05), at both pH values, in the solubilization of NP. Although Goe generally caused greater solubilization of the NP, it also caused the lower formation of labile-P. The CR presented, in general, the highest contents of solution-P, thus it triggered solubilization of NP without the immobilization of the solution-P, unlike the one with the AR that adsorbs it. In the lower pH condition (4.5), the solubilization of NP tended to be higher than at pH 6.0, although in a little effective way, compared to the effects of the sinks.

The development of efficient fertilizers with a diminished environmental footprint will help meet the increasing demand for food and nutrients by a growing global population. Our objective was to evaluate whether an acidic mine waste (AMW) could be used beneficially by reacting it with sparingly soluble phosphate rocks (PRs) to produce more soluble P fertilizer materials. Three PRs from Brazil and Peru were reacted with different concentrations of AMW. Changes in mineralogy and P species were determined using a combination of X-ray diffraction and phosphorus K-edge XANES spectroscopy, in addition to extractable P concentrations. Increasing the AMW concentration typically increased extractable P. X-ray diffraction data showed transformation of apatite to other species when PRs were reacted with AMW at ≥50% (v/v) in water, with gypsum or anhydrite forming at AMW concentrations as low as 12.5%. Linear combination fitting analysis of X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra also indicated a progressive transformation of apatite to noncrystalline Fe(III)-phosphate and more soluble Ca-phosphates with increasing AMW concentration. Because this AMW is costly to dispose of, reacting it with PR to produce a higher-grade phosphate fertilizer material could decrease the environmental impacts of the AMW and diminish the consumption of pure acids in conventional P fertilizer production.

Rising price and limited geographical availability of traditional sources of potassium (K) fertilizers have stimulated a search for alternative K sources in different parts of the world. We evaluated mineral transformations and agronomic properties of an alternative source of K produced through thermal and chemical treatment of the verdete rock (VR). Chemical and mineralogical characteristics were evaluated before and after each treatment. Four K sources (verdete rock, KCl, acidified verdete, and calcinated verdete) were applied to a Typic Hapludox at different rates. Eucalyptus and sequentially cropped maize and grass were grown in the treated soils. Ver- dete rock, which contained glauconite and microcline as K crystalline minerals, had very low solubility in water and in citric acid. Thermal and chemical treatments increased the concentration of water soluble K and citric acid soluble K. These treatments also caused crystalline K minerals to collapse and form sylvite and arcanite. Untreated verdete rock was not suitable as a K source for maize (Zea mays L.) and eucalyptus (Eucaliptus urograndis I144). Thermal and chemical treatments increased agronomic performance of VR to be similar to KCl. When K was applied as K-calcined verdete, 82% of the total K was recovered in maize and grass cultivations. Less K was recovered in plant following addition of K-acidified verdete and KCl (72% and 77%, respectively). Potassium recoveries by eucalyptus were about 52, 53, and 60% of the amount applied of calcined verdete, acidified verdete, and KCl, respectively. Both calcination and thermal treatment increased the K uptake and dry matter production for all plant species tested to be similar to KCl suggesting that this silicate rock could be beneficiated to be an effective K fertilizer.

Irrigation water with high electrical conductivity (EC) compromises the sustainability of agricultural soils. Calcium sulfate (CS) or gypsum is commonly used on removal of soluble ions such as sodium (Na), however, large applications of CS can affect soil pH, EC, and nutrient availability to plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of CS and ammonium sulfate (AS) rates on the soil pH, EC, and exchangeable cations in a salt-affected agricultural soil. Samples from the 0-20 cm soil depth layer were collected from an agricultural soil reported to have low potato yield due to high EC irrigation water. Soil was incubated with rates ranging from 0 to 4000 kg ha-1 of CS and 0 to 600 kg ha-1 of nitrogen (N) using AS. The treated soil was incubated for 60 d at 25 ºC and moisture was maintained at 60% of soil field capacity. After incubation, the soil was analyzed for pH, EC, Na, manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Increasing rates of CS resulted in a small decrease in soil pH and a significant linear increase in soil EC, while the application of AS linearly reduced the soil pH and quadratically increased soil EC. The application rate of 200 kg ha-1 of N as AS resulted in a decrease of soil pH from 5.9 to 5.2, while the EC increased from 1.3 to 3.0 dS m-1. Extractable Na increased linearly with the application of AS due to its effect on the soil pH. The soil extractable Mn and Zn were not affected by the application of CS. Applications of AS resulted in a linear increase in soil extractable Mn and Zn concentrations, respectively. Results from this incubation study suggest that the use of large rates of CS for consecutive years may further impair soil conditions for cropping in areas with high EC in the irrigation water.

There are several globally accepted methods to chemically characterize P-fertilizers, but not all are suitable to predict the agronomic efficiency of the P sources in terms of plant nutrition. Our aim was to investigate the performance of P extractors for fertilizers, investigating the consistency of different methods for P sources of varying properties and the related plant responses. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using corn as a model plant. Phosphorus values extractable in water, 2 % citric acid, 2 % formic acid, ammonium neutral citrate + water, and acid ammonium citrate were evaluated for eight P fertilizers of varied solubility and correlated with P uptake by corn. The extractors citric acid and formic acid recovered no predictive amounts of P from crystalline apatite sources (Araxá and Patos phosphate rocks, PRs). However, they showed a satisfactory performance for Bayóvar PR and partially acidulated PRs but extracted low amounts of P from soluble P sources such as superphosphates. Neutral ammonium citrate + water extractors could accurately predict the efficiency of soluble P sources but underestimated the performance of Bayóvar (a reactive PR). In contrast, the extractor acid ammonium citrate, AAC, (pH 3) accurately predicted the agronomic efficiency of all P fertilizers. We therefore suggest AAC as an effective predictor of the agronomic effectiveness of any inorganic phosphorus sources.

The cultivation of microalgae in wastewater allows to obtain a biomass concentrated in nutrients and organic material. This biomass added to phosphate fertilizers can promote a slow release of the nutrient and consequently a higher absorption of phosphorus (P). The objective of this study was to investigate P uptake by plants subjected to triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilization, added with microalgae biomass (MB) grown in wastewater. TSP was added with different MB proportions in order to verify if there would be a different behaviour in P release for millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) plants. With the proportion that maximized P accumulation in plants, a second experiment was carried out to investigate whether MB exerts influence of P diffusion in the soil. Finally, a third trial was conducted in a greenhouse, where TSP and TSP + 12% MB were applied to the soil under different phosphorus doses in corn (Zea mays L.). The proportion of MB in TSP that maximized the increase of P content and concentration in plants was approximately 12% MB. From this proportion, a reduction in the values of the variables analysed in the plant with the increase of the proportion of MB in the biofertilizer was observed. Similar behaviour was observed when evaluating P diffusion in sandy and clay soils. Fertilizers TSP and TSP + 12% MB showed no difference in P diffusion in the soil, while the ratio of 30% MB clearly impaired P diffusion. In a greenhouse, the P content presented significant difference for the tests carried out with TSP and TSP + 12% MB fertilizer, in which the latter provided higher P recovery rate by plants. Therefore, MB added to TSP had a positive influence on plant development and its P recovery capacity when applied in a proportion of 12% MB to the fertilizer mass.

BACKGROUND Coatings or urease inhibitors are designed to reduce losses of ammonia (NH3(g)) from urea fertilizers. However, nitrogen (N) release and its effects on soil solution have not previously been evaluated under standardized conditions in soils. In this study, the urea fertilizers were incubated in chambers filled with sandy loam soil, adapted for the collection of NH3(g) and soil solution by centrifugation. RESULTS In the fast-release N fertilizers, around 93 and 100% of urea-N applied were recovered within the first incubation hours. In contrast, in the slow-release N fertilizers, less than 40% of urea-N applied was recovered at 19 days of incubation. The maximum N release from the fertilizers followed the order: UP1 (106%) ≈ UNBPT (102%) ≈ urea (93%) > USP2 (57%) ≈ USP3 (57%) > USP4 (31%) ≈ USP5 (18%). NH3(g) volatilization accounted for only 3% of the applied N in the slow-release fertilizers, which corresponded to about 88% less than the NH3(g) loss from prilled urea. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated distinct N release patterns, which changed the N dynamics in the soil. Some coatings effectively delayed urea release from granules and reduced NH3(g) gas losses, while other were not efficient.

Trends in new fertilizer technologies should balance the nutrient release rate from fertilizers with plant demands over time, while developing suitable physical characteristics of the fertilizer’s particles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of three zinc fertilizers [ZnO, ZnSO4, and a commercial co-granulated ZnO+S0 fertilizer (ES_Zn)] on Zn diffusion in soil and their agronomic performances. A Petri dish trial was carried out in order to evaluate the diffusion of Zn in the soil. The experiment was designed as a factorial scheme (3 + 1) × 2 × 3, with three Zn sources, one control treatment (without Zn application), two soils of contrasting textures (sandy and clay), and three incubation times (1, 30 and 60 d). The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized design with four replications. Zinc diffusion was assessed according to the method proposed by Degryse et al. (2015) along of incubation times. For that, a ZnSO4 solution or ZnO suspension was applied by pipetting 15 μL of solution or suspension into a small hole (~0.5-cm deep) in the center of the Petri dish. A single pastille of ES_Zn fertilizer (30±0.5 mg) was placed in the center of the Petri dish, at the same depth. Soil was watered to 80% of field capacity. Filter papers (Whatman) were impregnated with CaCO3 and placed on the soil surface. After 2 h of reaction, the CaCO3-impregnated filter papers were collected, and the precipitated Zn in the papers was colored with dithizone, giving a pink color. The performance of Zn sources was evaluated in a greenhouse through a successive maize-soybean-millet crop. The trial was designed as a 2 × (3 × 3 +1) factorial scheme, being two soils (sandy and clay), three Zn sources (ZnSO4, ZnO, and ES_Zn), three Zn doses (1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg dm-3 Zn), and a control treatment. The experiment was a randomized block design with four replications, being the experimental unit composed of a pot with 4 dm3 of soil. Pastille ES_Zn, ZnO (as suspension), and ZnSO4 (as solution) were applied at five equidistant points, at 5 cm below the soil surface. After 30, 60 and 60 days of planting, shoot of maize soybean and millet were harvest, oven-dried at 70 °C for 72 h (until constant weight), weighed and milled for chemical analysis. ES_Zn fertilizer promoted a delay Zn release in the soil, being effective as a fertilizer only in the last crop (millet), as well as ZnO. Zinc oxide and ZnSO4 had similar performances for increasing Zn availability in the inner soil portion, but its diffusion in soil was superior when the source was sulfate. The highly soluble ZnSO4 was more effective than ZnO-based fertilizers in terms of plant nutrition, especially for the two first crops. Our results also suggest that ZnO is solubilized in soil at high pH (6.6), its dispersion in soil being a key factor for the dissolution rate.

Countries like Brazil, China and India are highly dependent on external reserves of soluble potassium (K) minerals for the production of K fertilizers. On the other hand, the natural occurrence of potassium-rich silicate minerals in these countries, has seldom been commercially exploited until recently. Technological strategies that can increase the reactivity of these minerals can turn them into a resource for K fertilizer production. This work aimed to investigate the changes in solubility of Verdete rock (VR) after calcination with a melting agent (MA- CaCl2·2H2O) under varying temperatures of calcination and ratios (w w− 1) of MA/VR. Measurements of extractable K in water (Kwater), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) were performed to identify new mineral phases. The Kwater increased up to 184-fold when the VR was calcined in the presence of MA. Optimization of calcination of VR to temperature of 850 °C and a 1.7 ratio (w w− 1) of MA/VR yielded Kwater values of up to 95% of total K. Potassium K-edge XANES analysis revealed changes in the molecular environment of K due to the calcination of VR at increasing temperatures. The K K-edge XANES fit to sylvite was supported by the detection of this mineral by XRD analysis at calcination temperatures ranging from 700 to 900 °C. In addition, K K-edge XANES analysis indicated the gradual formation of a new potassium-silicate mineral with increasing temperature, which the XANES analysis showed to be an amorphous-K2SiO3 (Amorphous-K2SiO3). The combination of Kwater and the residue of Linear Combination Fitting analysis (LCF) performed on the XANES data suggested the formation of an undefined K mineral phase additional to sylvite and Amorphous-K2SiO3. The calcination process was effective in producing highly soluble K mineral phases from a low solubility raw material. The end-products of the calcination procedure obtained in our work represent a promising alternative material for K fertilizer production, but further evaluation of the plant availability of the K in soils is needed.

Acidification by oxidation of elemental sulfur (ES) can solubilize ZnO, providing slow release of both sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in soil. For this study, a new granular fertilizer with ES and ZnO was produced and evaluated. The effect of incorporating microorganisms or a carbon source in the granule was also evaluated. Four granulated ES−Zn fertilizers with and without S-oxidizing microorganisms, a commercial ES pastille, ZnSO 4 , and ZnO were applied to the center of Petri dishes containing two contrasting pH soils. Soil pH, CaCl 2 -extractable S and Zn, and remaining ES were evaluated at 30 and 60 days in two soil sections (0−5 and 5−9 mm from the fertilizer application site). A visualization test was performed to evaluate Zn diffusion over time. A significant pH decrease was observed in the acidic soil for all ES−Zn fertilizer treatments and in the alkaline soil for the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans-inoculated treatment only. In agreement with Zn visualization tests, extractable-Zn concentrations were higher from the point of application in the acidic (62.9 mg dm −3 ) compared to the alkaline soil (5.5 mg dm −3 ). Elemental S oxidation was greater in the acidic soil (20.9%) than slightly alkaline soil (12%). The ES−Zn granular fertilizers increased S and Zn concentrations in soil and can provide a strategically slow release of nutrients to the soil.

The efficiency of phosphate fertilization has been a major challenge for tropical agriculture. Lately, cover plants better adapted to tropical conditions have allowed non-tillage in these areas. Our aim was to investigate the effects of soil and plant (millet) on the efficiency of different P sources combined with N sources in an oxisol with medium and low initial P availability. For this, rhizotubes filled with oxisol under different combinations of P and N source were exposed to the absence and presence of millet plant (Pennisetum glaucum L., Leeke). We characterized the soil before and after, as well the fertilizer sources and plants. There was no effect of medium or low initial P availability in the soil on the P recovery rate (PRR). NH4+ was advantageous mainly combined with a soluble P source, increasing up to 40% the P recovery rate in relation to NO3−. Bayóvar phosphate rock (PR) had higher solubilization than Araxá PR, as well as a significant soil pH increase. Without plants, there was no significant correlation among the variables evaluated, evidencing the plant’s role in dissolving less soluble P sources in an oxisol. Our findings suggest no effect of previous medium P availability on the P recovery rate regardless of phosphorus sources. In addition, an improvement in the P recovery rate when an ammoniacal source is used is observed when soluble phosphate fertilizers are used. Cover plants on oxisols are crucial for increasing the efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers and their plant availability over time.

Loss of N through volatilization of ammonia is the main limitation for agricultural use of urea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the volatilization of NH3 from urea granulated (Ug) or urea coated (Ur) with two oxidized charcoals produced by the oxidation of eucalyptus charcoal with 4.0 mol L-1 HNO3, followed by the post-treatment with NaOH (CHox) or without post-treatment with NaOH (CHox-OH). Ug and Ur were produced with 5, 10, 15 and 20% (m/m) of CHox or CHox-OH. The volatilization of NH3 was evaluated as 100 mg of N in the form of Ug or Ur applied to samples of a Hapludalf placed in a system with continuous and controlled air flow. The Ug with CHox-OH or with CHox was more effective in reducing the volatilization of NH3 than the Ur. It was estimated that the Ug with 16% of CHox or CHox-OH, with 39% N, reduced the volatilization by 40% in relation to urea without the additives. Results show that charcoal oxidized is an effective additive for reducing ammonia volatilization of urea.

O K é um nutriente encontrado em baixos teores em solos brasileiros, sendo necessário grande aporte via fertilização para alcançar produtividades satisfatórias das culturas. O Brasil apresenta elevada dependência externa e possui limitadas reservas de minerais solúveis de K, tradicionalmente explorados para a produção de fertilizantes. Por outro lado, é comum a ocorrência no país de minerais silicatados ricos em K não explorados comercialmente. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se caracterizar mineralógica e quimicamente amostras de verdete, separadas em frações granulométricas e avaliar seu potencial de uso com fertilizante potássico.A composição mineral do verdete é à base de glauconita, quartzo e feldspatos. Os teores totais de K2O no verdete variaram de 5,18 a 9,0 dag/kg. O teor de K extraído em água ou em ácido cítrico a 2% foi inferior a 2,4% do K total, indicando baixa reatividade do verdete e limitações para seu uso direto como fonte de K. O fracionamento físico e a sedimentação em água são processos ineficientes para promover a concentração de K nas diferentes frações do verdete. Os teores totais de K em algumas amostras de verdete são consideráveis, podendo viabilizar o uso desta rocha como matéria prima para produção de fertilizantes potássicos mais reativos. Potassium is a nutrient found at low levels in Brazilian soils, requiring large inputs of fertilizers to achieve satisfactory crop yields. Brazil has high external dependence and limited reserves of soluble K mineral, which is traditionally exploited for the production of fertilizers. On the other hand, it is common the occurrence in the country of potassium-rich silicate minerals which are not commercially exploited. This study aimed to characterize mineralogically and chemically samples of verdete rock separated into size fractions and evaluate its potential as potassium fertilizer. The mineral composition of verdete rock is based on glauconite, quartz and feldspar. The total K2O content in verdete rock ranged from 5.18 to 9.0 dag/kg. The K content extracted in water or 2% citric acid was 2.4% below the total of K, indicating low reactivity of verdete rock and limitations for direct use as K source. The processes of physical fractionation and sedimentation in water are inefficient to promote the concentration of K in the different verdete rock fractions. The total K content in some samples are considerable and may enable the use of this rock as raw material for production of more reactive potassium fertilizers.

Thermal and chemical treatments were used to investigate the solubilization of potassium from verdete, a glauconitic rock. Fluxing agents were evaluated at distinct temperatures and proportions. Chemical dissolution of verdete was studied with increasing amounts of acids or bases at different temperatures and reaction times. In the calcination test, the presence of fluxing agents was critical to increasing the rock solubility, in addition to the effects of temperature and material ratios. The content of water-soluble K was 100, 100, 85, and 42% when using the salts LiCl, CaCl2.2H2O, Na2CO3, NaCl, respectively, as fluxing agents. The salts CaSO4, CaCO3 and Ca3(PO4)2 were ineffective as fluxing agents. In the chemical treatments, the reaction with the base NaOH was more efficient than the acids to solubilize K. It was possible to solubilize up to 60% of K from verdete with 4.0 mol L− 1 NaOH, at 150 °C for 120 min. Among the acids, H3PO4 was the most efficient, promoting solubilization of up to 42% K, with 4.0 mol L− 1 H3PO4, at 225 °C, for 120 min. When using the concentrated acid waste and shaking for 144 h, up to 75% of K could be solubilized from the rock. It was concluded that the heated treatments were most effective in solubilizing verdete, followed by the acid waste, which are processes required for the production of soluble potassium fertilizers from unconventional sources of low reactivity.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential microelement involved in several plant physiological processes. Therefore, it is important to identify Zn deficiencies promptly--before extensive damage occurs to the plant. The diagnostic tools that are used to identify Zn deficiencies are very important in areas where Zn deficiencies occur. Such diagnostic tools are vital for nutritional management and fertilizer recommendations. The current study investigated the effects of Zn deficiency on maize plants by recording a number of physiological and anatomical parameters. A Zn omission trial (from 0 to 22 days) was carried out to produce plants that had varying degrees of Zn deficiency. Typical symptoms of Zn deficiency (e.g. chlorotic stripes and purple shades on the edges and leaf sheath) appeared 16 days after the omission of Zn from nutrient solutions. As the time of Zn omission increased, there were significant decreases in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, maximal efficiency of photosystem I (evaluated by Fv/Fm), biomass (dry weight) and Zn concentrations in plants. Zinc-deficient plants also had a lower vascular bundle proportion coupled with a higher stomata density. These physiological and anatomical changes negatively impacted plant growth. Moreover, they occurred before visible symptoms of Zn deficiency were observed. Zinc concentrations were recorded for younger leaves, rather than for more mature leaves, which is usually recommended for plant analysis. The results demonstrate that the analysis of Zn in young leaves of maize is a very sensitive indicator of Zn status.

Preventive and effective waste management requires cleaner production strategies and technologies for recycling and reuse. Metallurgical industries produce a great amount of acid effluent that must be discarded in a responsible manner, protecting the environment. The focus of this study was to examine the use of this effluent to increase reactivity of some phosphate rocks, thus enabling soluble phosphate fertilizer production. The effluent was diluted in deionized water with the following concentrations 0; 12.5; 25; 50; 75% (v v(-1)), which were added to four natural phosphate rocks: Araxa, Patos, Bayovar and Catalao and then left to react for 1 h and 24 h. There was an increase in water (PW), neutral ammonium citrate (PNAC) and citric acid (PCA) soluble phosphorus fractions. Such increases were dependent of rock type while the reaction time had no significant effect (p

Potassium is present in distinct forms in the soil. The K forms in the soil are characterized by reversible exchanges between compartments and they have different characteristics in regards to availability for plant uptake. The soil's capacity to supply or restrict K to plants is different for each soil and it determines the sustainability of agricultural production and fertilization management. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the K supplying capacity of soils of different mineralogies from Minas Gerais (Brazil), under successive corn cultivation. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in factorial 7 x 6 (seven soils and six rates of K), in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. The corn plants were cultivated during 45 days for seven successive crop cycles in pots. The potassium availability in the soil was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of each crop cycle using Mehlich-1 and Mehlich-3 extractors. All treatments showed significant decreases in soil K content, which affected corn dry matter accumulation. The reserve of K was highest in Ultisols followed by Inceptisols and Oxisols. Contribution of non-exchangeable potassium to the plant nutrition was observed. The K availability in soil measured by Mehlich-1 represented 40% of K uptake by plants, and 61% of K uptake when Mehlich-3 was used.

A deficiência de boro tem causado perdas expressivas de produtividade em extensas áreas de eucalipto no Brasil, principalmente na região do Cerrado. A mobilidade de B é um fator chave na seleção de materiais genéticos mais tolerantes à deficiência deste nutriente. Neste trabalho, a mobilidade de B foi avaliada em dois clones de eucalipto (68 e 129), com e sem deficiência de B, após a aplicação foliar do traçador isotópico 10B em uma única folha madura. Amostras de tecidos jovens, folhas maduras e raízes foram coletadas nos tempos de 0, 1, 5, 12 e 17 dias após a aplicação. A determinação da razão isotópica 10B:11B foi feita por meio de HR-ICP-MS. Foram coletadas amostras de folhas e do exsudato xilemático para determinação de açúcares solúveis e poliálcoois, por meio de cromatografia iônica. Houve translocação de B no eucalipto. O clone 129 apresentou maior translocação de B da folha aplicada para tecidos jovens, folhas maduras e raízes, quando comparado ao clone 68. Aos dezessete dias após a aplicação do 10B em uma única folha madura, entre 14 e 18 % do B do tecido jovem era proveniente do B aplicado. As plantas com suprimento adequado de B não apresentaram translocação do elemento. Boron deficiency causes large productivity losses in eucalypt stands in extensive areas of the Brazilian Cerrado region, thus understanding B mobility is a key step in selecting genetic materials that will better withstand B limitation. Thus, in this study B mobility was evaluated in two eucalypt clones (68 and 129), under B sufficiency or B deficiency, after foliar application of the 10B isotope tracer to a single mature leaf. Samples of young tissue, mature leaves and roots were collected 0, 1, 5, 12 and 17 days after 10B application. The 10B:11B isotope ratio was determined by HR-ICP-MS. Samples of leaves and xylem sap were collected for the determination of soluble sugars and polyalcohols by ion chromatography. Boron was translocated within eucalypt. Translocation of foliar-applied 10B to the young tissues, mature leaves and roots was higher in clone 129 than in 68. Seventeen days after 10B application to a single mature leaf, between 14 and 18 % of B in the young tissue was originated from foliar B application. In plants with adequate B supply the element was not translocated out of the labeled leaf.