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Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application. The experiment was carried out in the field at Selvíria-MS, Brazil. The common bean cv. BRS Estilo was cultivated in two agricultural years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. Six different treatments were compared: (i) four increasing CSS rates, i.e., CSS5.0 (5.0 t ha−1 of applied CSS, wet basis), CSS7.5, CSS10.0, CSS12.5; (ii) a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF); (iii) a control (CT) without CSS and CF application. The available levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were evaluated in soil samples collected in the 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.4 m soil surface horizons. The concentration, extraction, and export of micronutrients in the leaf and productivity of common beans were evaluated. The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Mn ranged from medium to high in soil. The available levels of B and Zn in the soil increased with the residual rates of CSS, which were statistically not different from the treatments with CF. The nutritional status of the common bean remained adequate. The common bean showed a higher requirement for micronutrients in the second year. The leaf concentration of B and Zn increased in the CSS7.5 and CSS10.0 treatments. There was a greater extraction of micronutrients in the second year. Productivity was not influenced by the treatments; however, it was higher than the Brazilian national average. Micronutrients exported to grains varied between growing years but were not influenced by treatments. We conclude that CSS can be used as an alternative source of micronutrients for common beans grown in winter.

Phytoextraction of rare earth elements (REE) from contaminated soils has gained importance during the last few decades. The Poços de Caldas municipality in Brazil is known for its mineral richness, including large reserves of REE. In this study, we report light REE (La, Ce, Sm, Pr, and Nd) in soils and plants collected in an area. Composite soil samples and plant individuals were collected, and total concentrations of LREE in soils were determined by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF). The plant available LREE concentrations in soils were estimated upon the acetic acid method (F1 fractions) of the stepwise sequential extraction procedure, together with plant content that was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The total sum concentrations of tested LREE in soils varied from 5.6 up to 37.9 g kg

Biological nitrogen fixation in soybean is enhanced when seed is treated with cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) prior to planting. In this study, our objective was to verify if Co and Mo application during the reproductive phase of the crop increases seed Co and Mo concentration without adverse effects on seed quality. Two experiments were conducted. First, we investigated foliar and soil Co and Mo application under greenhouse conditions. Next, we validated the results obtained in the first study. The treatments for both experiments consisted of Co doses combined with Mo, and a control without Co and Mo application. The foliar application was more efficient in producing enriched Co and Mo seed; meanwhile, as Co doses increased so did Co and Mo concentrations in the seed. There were no adverse effects on nutrition, development, quality, and yield of parent plants and seed when these micronutrients were applied. The seed showed higher germination, vigor, and uniformity for the development of soybean seedlings. We concluded that the application of 20 g ha−1 Co and 800 g ha−1 Mo via foliar application at the reproductive stage of soybean increased germination rate and achieved the best growth and vigor index of enriched seed.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:50:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 The present study evaluated whether manganese (Mn) combined with silicon (Si) added to the foliar spray solution favors the physiological aspects, productivity, and protein content of grains in Mn-deficient soybean crops. The experiment was carried out to test four concentrations of Mn (0.00, 0.29, 0.58, and 0.87 g L−1) as chelate with added Si (0.48 g L−1) as potassium silicate and without Si (control), following a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, arranged as randomized block design with five replications. The treatments were applied via foliar in the V6, V8, R1, and R2 phenological stages of the soybean crop. Soybean plants in the control group demonstrated deficiency symptoms such as physiological damage. The beneficials effects of Si on soybean crops it was due by reduction of oxidative stress, due to the increase in the content of the compound antioxidant phenol (9%), causing a decrease in the rate of cell leakage. This mechanism increased the relative chlorophyll index (6%) and the Fv/Fm, thus increasing leaf area, shoot dry mass, productivity (7%), and protein content (7%) in optimal concentration of Mn. The foliar spraying of optimal concentrations of Mn associated with Si is a promising way to improve the efficiency of soybean crops and to meet the nutritional demand for Mn. Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture University of São Paulo (USP) Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:42:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-07-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Some silicate rocks are a rich source of potassium (K), with the possibility for use in agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency index (AEI) of nepheline syenite (NS) and phonolite (PN) rocks in comparison with potassium chloride (KCl) as a K source in maize production. An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil. A maize hybrid was grown in 8 L pots filled with 6 kg of soil with a low K concentration and contrasting physical attributes (medium and sandy texture). A completely randomized design in a 3 × 6 factorial scheme was used, consisting of three K sources (NS, PN, and KCl) and six rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 mg kg−1) with four replications. All plants were harvested 45 days after emergence to evaluate biomass production, macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) concentration and uptake, stem diameter, and leaf chlorophyll index. After crop harvest, soil was collected for further chemical evaluation, which included organic matter (OM), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), H+Al, Al, sum of bases (SB), base saturation (BS), P, K, Ca, Mg, and S. In addition, AEI of NS and PN were also verified in relation to KCl. The application of NS and PN had a similar effect on soil chemical attributes (MO, pH, SB, CEC, and BS) as well as on the concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, and S, in both soils. The increase in NS and PN rates provided linear growth of shoot dry matter. Leaf macronutrient concentrations were similar for NS and PN compared to KCl. All three K sources (NS, PN, and KCl) increased K accumulation in maize plants. Maize treated with KCl had the largest AEI, followed by PN and NS. However, the results indicated similar AEI with both rocks as a K source for maize, especially with application of the highest K rates. This research demonstrated the efficiency of NS and PN as alternative K sources for maize. School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) School of Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP) College of Agricultural Science São Paulo State University (UNESP) Mineragro Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA) Universidade de São Paulo (USP) USDA-NRCS Ecological Sciences Division Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica Università degli Studi di Sassari Polo Bionaturalistico, Via Piandanna No. 4 Embrapa Soja Embrapa Cerrados School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) School of Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP) College of Agricultural Science São Paulo State University (UNESP) CAPES: 88881.593505/2020-01

Mato Grosso do Sul State in Brazil is characterized by the ‘Cerrado’ ecoregion, which is the most biologically rich Savannah globally. In agricultural terms, the region produces several commodities that are exported around the world. This level of productivity has been achieved through the large-scale use of synthetic fertilizers, which has created several economic and environmental concerns. New approaches in soil fertility management are required to avoid environmental degradation, pollution, and socio-environmental damages. A field experiment, lasting two years, was conducted to investigate the composted sewage sludge (CSS) effects on an infertile acidic soil (Oxisol) planted to maize (Zea mays L.). The following complete randomized complete block design with a 4 × 2 + 2 factorial scheme (four replications) was applied: four CSS increasing rates (from 5.0 to 12.5 Mg ha−1, w.b.) following two application methods (whole area and between crop rows). A control, without CSS or synthetic fertilizers, and conventional synthetic fertilization without CSS were also investigated. Evaluated parameters were: (i) soil and leaf micronutrient concentrations; (ii) maize development, yield, and production. The CSS application increased: (i) the concentration of micronutrients in both soil and leaves; and (ii) the crop yield. Both were particularly true at the higher CSS applied rates. Such organic fertilizer can be safely used as a source of micronutrients for crops as an important low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers, thus safeguarding soil health.

In Brazil, swine raw waste from pig stall cleaning (SRW) represents an important water and nutrients sources for crops. However, treatment systems have been searched for to reduce its contaminant loads, making swine effluent agricultural use possible. Therefore, the study purpose was to evaluate agricultural use potential of swine effluents from anaerobic treatment system, considering current legislations. SRW was sieved and treated in anaerobic digester, with hydraulic retention times (HRT) equal to 100, 130, 30, 180 and 210 days. Treated effluent from digester (SEB) was diluted with water (SED) (1:50, v:v), simulating effluent characteristics from a complete treatment system. Chemical, physico-chemical, and microbiological parameters were determined in effluents. There were reductions of 80 to 90% in organic load, P, Ca, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Mg contents. There were fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. elimination. Nevertheless, there was other coliform bacteria growth. SEB presented EC, N-NH4+, and Na values higher than standards for agricultural use. Cu and Zn contents of SEB were reduced only when HRT were higher than 100 days. Thus, treated swine effluent use should be regulated by agricultural and environmental criteria established by future legislation, considering most pollutants elements, such as N, Na and pathogens.

Sugarcane demands large amounts of nutrients to reach a high level of productivity. Nutrients are generally supplied by mineral fertilizers, but their high costs and negative environmental impacts have generated interest in greater use of organic nutrient sources such as composted sewage sludge (CSS). In this study, we evaluated changes in soil chemical properties after the application of CSS or CSS/mineral fertilizer (MF) combinations to soil containing sugarcane seedlings under nursery conditions. Treatments included: T1: conventional mineral fertilization (MF) without application of CSS, T2: 100% of the recommended MF (06–30–24); T3: application of 2.5 Mg−1 CSS; T4: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS, T5: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS, T6: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T7: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T8: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T9: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T10: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T11: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF. Soil chemical properties were evaluated from the soil surface (0.0–0.25 m) and subsurface (0.25–0.50 m) horizons. The results showed that the increase in CSS application did not affect soil organic matter content at either depth, while Zn concentrations increased in the soil subsurface horizon. The application of CSS at 5.0 Mg ha−1 with or without 50% MF resulted in the highest pH values, sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in surface horizons. The use of CSS as an organic fertilizer in sugarcane nurseries improves soil fertility, reduces mineral fertilizer requirements, and, thus, facilitates the sustainable disposal of sewage sludge.

Soil rebuilding represents a major challenge in the recovery of abandoned quarries. In this study, we explored the possibility of using reconstructed Technosols, to achieve soil rebuilding goals at an abandoned quarry site. We first investigated the use of a mixture containing commercial manure and limestone debris (LD) as pedotechnomaterials for an “ad hoc” (re)constructed Technosol (CT), for the recovery of an opencast limestone quarry in one of most concentrated quarry areas in the world. In a field experiment, we tested and monitored different pedotechnosystems (PTSs) made up of constructed Technosol + pasture species + different Mediterranean plant species. Specifically, a control (CT, without any additional treatments) was compared to treatments with organic amendment (CTOA) and conventional fertilizers (CTCF). Data were collected over a 12-month period and included crop performance, plant nutritional state, soil physical-chemical parameters, and metabolites. Analysis of variance compared differences among treatments, while factor analysis (FA) interpreted multiple relationships while explaining observed variability. Results showed that CTOA had better soil physical-chemical properties, greater plant growth, and overall superior agronomic performances compared to all other treatments due to the improved substrate conditions. According to FA, these results appear related to the creation of fertile soil conditions, with most of the investigated metabolites (i) playing a pivotal role in observed outcomes, together with (ii) a clear potential in being considered as a reliable fingerprint for investigating plant responses in constructed PTSs. The proposed pedotechniques in CTOA development show a great potential for the full recovery of abandoned limestone quarries in degraded Mediterranean areas by providing an excellent medium for plant growth, facilitating environmental reclamation.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:48:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 With its accumulation in upland rice, cadmium (Cd) can easily enter the human food chain, which poses a global health threat considering nearly half of the human population depends on rice as a staple food source. A study was conducted to (1) evaluate Cd accumulation by rice cultivars, grown in Cd-polluted Tropical Oxisols, with different levels of Cd tolerance; (2) quantify Cd transfer from soil to rice shoots and grain; and (3) estimate daily Cd intake by humans. Three rice cultivars, characterized by low (Cateto Seda–CS), medium (BRSMG Talento–BT), and high (BRSMG Caravera–BC) Cd uptake capacity, were investigated. Rice cultivars were exposed to increasing soil Cd concentrations (0.0, 0.7, 1.3, 3.9, 7.8, and 11.7 mg kg−1). Analysis was performed on soil, shoots, and grain. Shoot biomass and grain yield decreased with increasing Cd supply, suggesting the following Cd tolerance: CS > BT > BC. Cadmium concentrations in shoots and grain increased when exposed to Cd. Only CS did not exceed the maximum Cd limit permitted in food (0.40 mg kg−1), when rates up to 1.3 mg kg−1 of Cd were applied to soil. Considering daily rice consumption levels in Brazil, Cd intake often exceeds maximum tolerable levels. Continuous monitoring of soil Cd concentrations is a pivotal step in avoiding hazards to humans. Such monitoring is important on a global scale since outside of Asia, Brazil is the leading rice-producing and rice-consuming country. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n Centre of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Universidade de São Paulo Federal Institute of São Paulo Indian River Research and Education Centre Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida Department of Biology and Chemistry California State University Dipartimento Di Architettura Design E Urbanistica Università Degli Studi Di Sassari Desertification Research Centre Università Degli Studi Di Sassari Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:46:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-15 Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, but its production is usually limited by boron (B) deficiency, which can be mitigated by applying B via foliar spraying. In plants with nutrient mobility, the residual effect of foliar fertilization increases, which might improve its efficiency. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the concentration and mobility of the B isotopic tracer (10B) in different organs of cowpea plants, after the application of this micronutrient in the growing media and also to leaves. Treatments were designed based on B fertilization as follows: without B in the growth media, with 10B applied via foliar spraying (10B-L), with B in the growth media (substrate) and 10B via foliar spraying (10B-L + B-S), and with 10B in the growth media (substrate) without foliar spraying (10B-S), and a control without fertilization. A redistribution of 10B was observed in new leaves when the element was supplied via foliar spraying, resulting in greater leaf area, dry mass and dry matter production of aerial parts, and also the whole plant. 10Boron was redistributed when applied via foliar spraying in cowpea plants, regardless of the plant's nutritional status, which in turn might increase internal B cycling. Department of Agronomy Federal Institute of Maranhão Department of Agricultural Production Sciences Soils and Fertilizers Sector São Paulo State University (UNESP) Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Soil Department State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT) Department of Plant Science Research Center of Agricultural Sciences Federal University of Piauí Department of Agricultural Production Sciences Soils and Fertilizers Sector São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:37:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-05-20 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) United States Institute of Peace Studies regarding the residual effects of sewage sludge in soil several years after the first and only application are still scarce, especially for tropical areas under forestry management. In these soils, the residual effects can represent a neglected phenomenon, since silvicultural management experiences a longer crop rotation cycle compared to most common agricultural cycles. Consequently, under forestry management, sewage sludge applications can represent an event occurring just once over cycles of several years. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of residual sewage sludge application in infertile tropical soils under Eucalyptus plantations in terms of both the main chemical features (pH, soil organic matter, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, and cation-exchange capacity) and the potentially toxic elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) concentrations/behaviors of soil. Residual effects were evaluated in four areas (Sao Paulo State, Brazil) after 10.0, 12.2, 12.4, and 17.2 years from the first and only application, respectively. Differences in terms of treatments were evaluated by analysis of variance: correlations and similarity analyzed by principal component and cluster analysis, respectively. The results showed that soil organic matter, main macronutrients (N and P), and cation-exchange capacity contents were generally higher in sewage sludge-treated soils while potentially toxic element contents tended to increase at increasing sewage sludge doses. In most of the investigated treatments, the potentially toxic element concentrations were usually below both the soil natural background concentrations and quality reference values. Principal component and cluster analysis revealed that differences among areas were primary due to differences in applied sewage sludge type and amount. The effects of residual sewage sludge application on soil, in terms of both the pros and cons, can be detected even many years after the first and only application. Studies on the long-term effects of sewage sludge should be mandatory for both monitoring the pedoenvironment and for guiding policymakers and producers on the best practices for their reuse and management. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Forest Sci, Coll Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Av Padua Dias 11, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, Av Centenario 303, BR-73416000 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Inst Forest Sci & Res IPEF, Private Bag 530, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Soil Sci, Coll Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Av Padua Dias 11, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Exact Sci, Coll Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Av Padua Dias 11, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Plant Protect, Rural Engn & Soils, Sch Engn, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil Univ Sassari, Dipartimento Architettura Design & Urbanist, Via Colombo 1, I-08100 Nuoro, Italy Univ Sassari, Desertificat Res Ctr, Viale Italia 39, I-07100 Sassari, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Plant Protect, Rural Engn & Soils, Sch Engn, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2004/15097-0 FAPESP: 2018//13152-7 CNPq: 485205/2012-2 CNPq: 312728/2017-4 CAPES: 001

Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) is a phytovirus that infects great diversity of plants worldwide. In Brazil, the SqMV has been identified in the states of Ceará, Maranhão, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, and Tocantins. The presence of non-pathogenic viruses in animals, such as phytoviruses, may not be completely risk-free. Similarities in gene repertories between these viruses and viruses that affect animal species have been reported. The present study describes the fully sequenced genomes of SqMV found in human feces, collected in Tocantins, and analyzes the viral profile by metagenomics in the context of diarrhea symptomatology. The complete SqMV genome was obtained in 39 of 253 analyzed samples (15.5%); 97.4% of them belonged to children under 5 years old. There was no evidence that the observed symptoms were related to the presence of SqMV. Of the different virus species detected in these fecal samples, at least 4 (rotavirus, sapovirus, norovirus, parechovirus) are widely known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms. The presence of SqMV nucleic acid in fecal samples is likely due to recent dietary consumption and it is not evidence of viral replication in the human intestinal cells. Identifying the presence of SqMV in human feces and characterization of its genome is a relevant precursor to determining whether and how plant viruses interact with host cells or microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:29:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-01 Exploitation of tuff deposits represents an intensive and destructive human activity that can completely modify natural soils, sometimes leading to their total disappearance. Soil reclamation of quarry areas can usually be done by soil rebuilding, employing complex and expensive techniques. In this research, we aimed to evaluate reconstructed Technosols and associated vegetation, called pedotechnosystem (PTS) and their development and behaviour for tuff quarry reclamation for both environmental rehabilitation and agricultural purposes. Technosols were investigated under three different conditions: i) a control consisting of a constructed Technosol (CT) without additional treatments; ii) CT treated with conventional mineral fertilization (CTCF); and, iii) CT treated with a composted mix of commercial organic amendments (CTOA). Different open-air mesocosms (pots) were investigated and evaluated in terms of: i) development, production, and metabolomic profile of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), olive (Olea europaea L.), and grapevine (Vitis Vinifera L. ssp. Sativa) in a mixture with a pasture species: ii) the Technosols physical-chemical responses. Specifically, after 15 months, all investigated PTS were evaluated in terms of: i) pasture species total dry matter (TDM) production, height (H), stem diameter (D) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content of dry matter; ii) physical-chemical analyses of all investigated substrates; iii) olive, grape, and rosemary characterization by analysing N, P, and K content in dry leaves as well as their metabolomic profile. Statistical differences among treatments were ascertained through ANOVA, while observed variability was interpreted using a principal factor analysis (PFA). Use of CTOA resulted in statistically (p < 0.05) higher performances in terms of TDM as well as P contents in harvested pasture species. In CTOA, more favourable pH conditions (near neutral) for plant growth were observed; additionally, such PTS showed the best performances in terms of soil organic matter (SOM), total N, and P as well as an improvement for most of the investigated organic fractions and relative humification indexes. Identified metabolites varied greatly by species, underscoring the capability of metabolites in fingerprinting different species and related responses to environmental stress factors. Results from PFA showed that: i) CTOA produced better growing conditions and agronomic performance among all investigated PTS; ii) metabolomic profiles are a reliable fingerprint for investigating plant responses to environmental stress and can help differentiate behaviour that follows. Overall, the research demonstrated that CTOA represents a low-cost easily applicable technique for soil rebuilding in tuff quarry areas. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi n° 43 Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” Abazia di San Lorenzo, via San Lorenzo Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), V.le F. de Blasio, 5 Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils São Paulo State University, Av. Brazil Sul n◦ 56 Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Centenário n◦ 303 USDA-NRCS Ecological Sciences Division Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna No 4 Desertification Research Centre Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia No 39 Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils São Paulo State University, Av. Brazil Sul n◦ 56

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:32:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Fertilization is commonly used to increase growth in forest plantations, but it may also affect tree water relations and responses to drought. Here, we measured changes in biomass, transpiration, sapwood-to-leaf area ratio (As:Al) and sap flow driving force (ΔΨ) during the 6-year rotation of tropical plantations of Eucalyptus grandis under controlled conditions for throughfall and potassium (K) fertilization. K fertilization increased final tree height by 8 m. Throughfall exclusion scarcely affected tree functioning because of deep soil water uptake. Tree growth increased in K-supplied plots and remained stable in K-depleted plots as tree height increased, while growth per unit leaf area increased in all plots. Stand transpiration and hydraulic conductance standardized per leaf area increased with height in K-depleted plots, but remained stable or decreased in K-supplied plots. Greater Al in K-supplied plots increased the hydraulic constraints on water use. This involved a direct mechanism through halved As:Al in K-supplied plots relative to K-depleted plots, and an indirect mechanism through deteriorated water status in K-supplied plots, which prevented the increase in ΔΨ with tree height. K fertilization in tropical plantations reduces the hydraulic compensation to growth, which could increase the risk of drought-induced dieback under climate change. CIRAD UMR Eco&Sols Eco&Sols Univ Montpellier CIRAD INRAe IRD Montpellier SupAgro Department of Forest Sciences Universidade de São Paulo “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture (USP-ESALQ) Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Universidade de São Paulo (USP-CENA) Edafotec SL NIPE UNICAMP Bordeaux Sciences Agro UMR INRAe-ISPA 1391 Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Ecologie Systématique Evolution Univ. Paris-Sud CNRS AgroParisTech Université Paris-Saclay School of Agricultural Sciences UNESP—São Paulo State University School of Agricultural Sciences UNESP—São Paulo State University

Naturally infertile soils require large amounts of mineral fertilizers to obtain the desired crop yield. In the Cerrado region of Brazil, there is a need to investigate the potential of organic fertilizers to sustainably increase crop productivity and food security. A field study was conducted over two experimental seasons to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of composted sewage sludge (CSS) as a fertilizer for soybean cultivation in infertile tropical soils. A 4 &times, 2 + 2 factorial randomized complete block design was applied with the following treatments: (i) CSS: 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 Mg ha&minus, 1 on a wet basis applied according to two different methods: whole area (WA) or between rows (BR), (ii) comparison with two alternative treatments: a control with no CSS and mineral fertilizer application, and an area treated with conventional fertilizers only. All the treatments were compared in terms of micronutrient concentrations in surface soil and plant leaves, plant development, crop productivity, and yield. Bi- (ANOVA, correlation matrix, and polynomial regression analysis) and multivariate (PCA, principal factor analysis) statistics were applied to determine statistical differences and relationships/observed variability among the treatments. Results showed that at higher CSS-WA rates: (i) soil and leaf micronutrient concentrations increased, (ii) there was an increase in soybean yield by 12 and 20%, respectively, as compared to control and conventional fertilization, (iii) soybean yield was 67% higher than the mean soybean yields for Brazil. Research outcomes confirm the benefits of CSS application on infertile agricultural soils in the Cerrado region, representing a strong alternative source of micronutrients in the CSS with respect to conventional fertilizers.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of droughts in most tropical regions in the coming decades. A passive phenomenon called hydraulic redistribution (HR) allows some plant species to take up water from deep and wet soil layers and redistribute it in the upper dry layers where other plants and soil biota can benefit from it. In addition, soil fertilization, particularly potassium (K), may also affect drought-adaptive mechanisms and increase water use efficiency (WUE) on poor and acidic tropical soils. The present study aimed at quantifying the role of HR and K fertilization on both wood productivity and WUE for stemwood production (WUEp) of Eucalyptus grandis plantations in Brazil under ambient and reduced (−37%) throughfall conditions. Tree transpiration was measured using trunk sap flow sensors over 21 months, and HR was estimated from the reverse sap flow (RF) observed in shallow roots over 18 months. Tree biomass, hydraulic conductance, soil water storage from surface to the water table (down to 17 m), and leaf photosynthetic capacity were also assessed. Significant HR was detected over the whole year, even during the rainy seasons. Neither potassium fertilization nor throughfall exclusion affected the velocity of water transported by HR, probably because most trees reached water table. Nonetheless, some photosynthetic capacity parameters, including the maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), increased in treatments with K addition. This higher Amax combined with an increased sapwood area index, was associated with an increase in water uptake by 30 %–50 % and WUEp by 300 % relative to K-deficient trees. We postulate that the increase in WUEp promoted by potassium fertilization was partly driven by an increase in biomass allocation to wood, at the expense of foraging organs (leaves and roots), because K addition alleviated constraints on light and water use. Our results indicate that fertilizing E. grandis plantations with K is beneficial to both wood biomass production and WUEp.

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) contains large amounts of organic matter and nutrients and can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane. However, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of CSS application on sugarcane seedling performance in nursery environments. A field study was conducted using a randomized complete block design to evaluate the development, nutritional status, productivity, and technological quality of sugarcane seedlings after CSS application with or without mineral fertilizer. Morphological variables (stem height, diameter, and number, as well as leaf area), technological attributes (total recoverable sugar: ATR; quantity of sucrose in sugarcane juice: Pol; Brix: percentage (weight/weight) of soluble solids contained in juice; TAH: tons of sugar per hectare), nutritional status, and sugarcane productivity were evaluated. Treatments did not influence morphological and technological variables except for TAH but did positively alter nutritional status and seedling productivity. The application rates of 5.0 and 7.5 Mg ha−1 of CSS with or without mineral fertilizers (MF) provided the greatest increase in crop productivity. Our results indicate that CSS can be a sustainable nutritional management option in sugarcane seedling nurseries, resulting in greater crop productivity at lower mineral fertilization rates.

O lodo de esgoto (LE) aplicado em solos de florestas plantadas, com base no critério do nitrogênio, pode aumentar a produção de madeira sem causar danos ao ambiente florestal. Entretanto, ainda é necessário analisar a viabilidade econômica dessa prática que pode ser um fator limitante para a reciclagem deste resíduo. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi realizar a avaliação econômica do uso de LE (0; 7,7; 15,4 e 23,1 Mg ha-1) sem e com complementação de fertilizante mineral nitrogenado e fosfatado em comparação a adubação convencional de um povoamento de Eucalyptus grandis aos 7,9 anos após o seu plantio através do método de VPLA (Valor Presente Líquido Anualizado), TIR (Taxa Interna de Retorno) e IBC (Índice Benefício/Custo). Foram consideradas taxas de desconto de 6 e 12% a.a. e três cenários nos quais o produtor florestal assume por 100, 50 e 0% dos custos de transporte do lodo. Verificou-se maior produção de madeira no tratamento com 15,4 Mg ha-1 de LE, o qual obteve 338 m3 ha-1. Porém, a adubação mineral convencional representou a opção com melhor viabilidade econômica em todas as situações analisadas, exceto para o cenário no qual o produtor florestal estaria isento do transporte do LE. Notou-se que a variação nas taxas de juros propostas proporcionou maiores acréscimos de VPLA que a alteração de cenários (redução do custo de transporte). Portanto, conclui-se que este produtor florestal apenas se motivaria em aplicar o lodo de esgoto em relação à prática já usual se o custo de transporte deste resíduo não fosse arcado por ele. É importante considerar também que o fator de risco associado ao mercado de LE para aplicação agrícola, o qual não é estruturado e coordenado, pode interferir na tomada de decisão deste produtor.

The objectives of our study were to evaluate i) the soil fertility and fractionation of Ba, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the topsoil layer (0-0.20 m depth); and ii) production and concentration and accumulation of Ba, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the components of Eucalyptus trees at 36 months after sewage sludge (SS) application, with or without mineral P fertilizer, compared to mineral fertilization. Application of SS (at N criteria) with P increased soil organic matter and heavy metal concentrations, which were mostly bound to the oxidic and organic matter fractions. SS provided Eucalyptus production and heavy metal concentrations and accumulation in the trunk, branches, and leaves similar to mineral fertilization for high wood production. The application of SS (at N criteria) supplied with P increased soil heavy metal, fertility, and Eucalyptus production, without risk of environmental contamination.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:41:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-12-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Suzano Pulp and Paper Company S.A. Fertilization of Eucalyptus plantations using sewage sludge on unfertile tropical soils represents an alternative to using mineral N and P fertilizers. A 44-month field experiment was conducted to study the effects of increasing application of sludge, and its interactions with mineral N and P fertilizers, on wood volume. Four rates of sludge (0, 8,15 and 23 Mg ha(-1), dry base), N (0, 47, 95 and 142 kg ha(-1)) and P (0, 28, 56 and 84 kg ha(-1) of P2O5) were combined in a 4 x 4 x 4 factorial scheme in a totally randomized block design. Response surface and age-shift modeling was used to establish an initial recommendation for mineral fertilization of the Eucalyptus plantations treated with sludge and to analyze the implications of increased growth on the duration of the forest cycle in a tropical climate. The results showed that from 8 to 44 months after planting, the sludge application (with or without N and P) yielded a statistically larger wood volume (P < 0.05), compared to application of N and P fertilizers only. The response surface modeling showed the following outcomes: i) application of sludge based on N criterion reduced the need for N and P fertilizers by 100%; and ii) an increase in wood volume by 7% could be achieved, compared to NPK fertilizers only, if 2/3 of the recommended P was applied. The cultivation time to produce 150 m(3) ha(-1) of wood volume was 45 months for the control and was reduced by two, three, four, or five months, respectively, through application of recommended P, sludge dose, sludge plus one third of P, and sludge plus two thirds of P. On the whole, sewage sludge could represent an excellent unconventional N and P fertilizer source for wood production on unfertile tropical soils. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Plant Nutr, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Fed Univ Grande Dourados, Sch Engn, BR-79804070 Dourados, MS, Brazil EMBRAPA Cerrado, BR-73310970 Planaltina, DF, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Suzano Papel & Celulose SA, BR-18200000 Itapetininga, SP, Brazil Univ Florida, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Indian River Res & Educ Ctr, Ft Pierce, FL 34945 USA Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Engn, Dept Plant Protect Rural Engn & Soils, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil Univ Sassari, Dipartimento Architettura Design & Urbanist, Via Colombo 1, I-08100 Nuoro, Italy Univ Sassari, Desertificat Res Ctr, Viale Italia 39, I-07100 Sassari, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Engn, Dept Plant Protect Rural Engn & Soils, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2004/15097-0 FAPESP: 2015/09690-5 CNPq: 313374/2014-7

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:29:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Colorado State University North Carolina State University Universidade Federal de Lavras Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Università degli Studi di Sassari U.S. Forest Service Universidade de São Paulo ArcelorMittal International Paper Brazilian roundwood industry is one of the most important and productive in the world, with Eucalyptus plantations alone representing 73% of the total planted forests. Deep rooting in these plantations represents a more common phenomena than generally expected. However, there is still a lack of information on environmental factors that drive root growth in deep soil layers, with particular emphasis on edaphoclimatic conditions, and related consequence in terms of soil water behavior. As a part of a larger project, this research aimed to investigate soil water and fine root system distribution in deep tropical soils under a commercial Eucalyptus plantation chronosequence. Along a 2800-km gradient (from south- to north-east Brazil), 14 experimental areas were planted with a “plastic” clone (E. urophylla) and investigated in terms of climatic conditions, soil and water features, and plant/stand development for an entire 6-years rotation period. Fine roots distribution were investigated in one site (in Brazil) till to 20 m deep at 3, 9, 24, 48, and 65 months after planting. Results showed a fast displacement of the root front down to 75, 325, 825, 1250, and 1575 cm at month 3, 9, 24, 48, and 65 after planting, respectively. Fine root densities (g cm−3) and proportional water capture exponentially decreased with soil depth. Deep fine roots showed a relativelly higher efficiency in acquiring water than the shallower, denser roots. The relationship between stand height vs root front depth followed an exponential trend, suggesting that these stands developed relatively faster in height rather than in depth during the first 48 months, with the opposite characterizing plantation afterwards. Regardless of stand age, E. urophylla trees rapidly explored a considerable volume of soil at a relatively limited carbon cost. Multivariate statistics showed that edaphoclimatic conditions play a major role in Eucalyptus plant/stand development. This study outlined the major role played by soil development. From poorly developed sandy Entisols, to medium developed Inceptisols, and to most developed fine textured Oxisols, both plant growth and stand productivity greatly improved accordingly. This study suggests that soil type, together with other environmental factors, are likely to influence both the development and behavior of Eucalyptus plantations for an extent greater than commonly anticipated. Vimef-Soluções Florestais Ltda, Rua Juca Prates, 1014 UNESP São Paulo State University School of Agricultural Sciences Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University Universidade de São Paulo Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, Av. Centenário, 303 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center University of Florida Eco&Sols Univ Montpellier CIRAD INRA IRD Montpellier SupAgro CIRAD UMR Eco&Sols Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi n◦ 43 Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica Università degli Studi di Sassari Polo Bionaturalistico, Via Piandanna n° 4 School of Agricultural Forest and Food Sciences Bern University of Applied Science, Laenggasse 85 Desertification Research Centre Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia n◦ 39 UNESP São Paulo State University School of Agricultural Sciences Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:23:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-03-01 Agricultural recycling of human Class B biosolids in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crop is a promising alternative to reduce the costs of biosolids disposal. However, the presence of fecal contamination indicators such as thermotolerant coliforms and pathogenic organisms such as enterovirus and Ascaris spp. in biosolids impose barriers to effective and widespread use of biosolids as fertilizer. In addition, there is a scarcity of studies that investigate the persistence of these organisms in tropical soils. This study aimed to evaluate the persistence of pathogenic and fecal indicators for 258 d in a tropical clayey soil amended with human Class B biosolids and cultivated with sugarcane. Treatments were immediate incorporation of biosolids into soil after application (T1) or superficial application of biosolids followed by incorporation after 35 d (T2), emulating the typical procedure in sugarcane fields. Thermotolerant coliforms were estimated to persist for 437 d in T1 and 398 d in T2. For enterovirus, mean estimated persistence time in soil was 26 d for T1, but the sampling frequency was insufficient in T2 for persistence analysis. After 35 d, no enterovirus was detected in any sample. Mean estimated persistence time for viable Ascaris spp. eggs in soil was 22 d in T1 and 41 d in T2. Biossolo Agricultura and Ambiente, R. Campos Salles, 1152 Dep. de Solos e Recursos Ambientais UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Caixa Postal 237 Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios–APTA–Polo Regional Centro Sul, Rodovia SP. 127, Km 30 Dep. de Análises Ambientais Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo–CETESB, Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Júnior, 345 Dep. de Bioestatística UNESP Instituto de Biociências, R. Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin S/N School of Environmental and Forest Sciences College of the Environment Univ. of Washington, Box 352100 Lab. de Nutrição de Plantas Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura USP, Av. Centenário, 303 Dep. de Solos e Recursos Ambientais UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Caixa Postal 237 Dep. de Bioestatística UNESP Instituto de Biociências, R. Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin S/N

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:34:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-03-10 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Sewage sludge (SS) reuse in forest plantation as soil fertilizer/amendment has tremendously increased in recent years. However, SS may have high concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE), representing a potential risk for soil and the whole ecosystem. This paper was aimed to assess the toxicity of PTE in unfertile tropical soils amended with SS in a commercial Eucalyptus plantation, with an integrated multiple approaches combining: i) the use of a battery of bioassays (Daphnia magna, Pseudokcrichirella subcapitata, Lactuca sativa, and Allium cepa); and ii) the evaluation of some PTE (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and their availability into the pedoenvironment. Differences in total and available PTE between SS doses and time of treatments were evaluated using ANOVA; correlations between PTE and bioassays by a sparse partial robust M-regression (SPRM), while multiple correlations among parameters were performed by principal factor analysis (PFA). Results show that PTE contents in soils tended to increase with SS application doses. However this cannot be assumed as a general rule since in all the investigated treatments the PTE concentrations were consistently below both soil natural background concentrations and quality reference values. Bioassays showed a generalized low eco- and genotoxicity of SS with an increase in toxicity at increasing SS doses but with a clear decreasing trend as time went by. A. cepa was the most sensitive bioassay followed by P. subcapitata > D. magna > L. sativa. Overall, the results indicate that in realistic open field conditions SS risk may be lower than expected due to dynamic decrease in PTE toxicity with time after application. This study has an important implication that open-field trials should be strongly encouraged for evaluating environmental risk of SS application in forestry. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Groningen, Gelifes Microbial Ecol Cluster, NL-9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Plant Protect Rural Engn & Soils, Sch Engn, BR-15 38500 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil Univ Sassari, Dipartimento Agr, Via Colombo 1, I-08100 Nuoro, Italy Vienna Univ Technol, CSTAT Computat Stat, Inst Stat & Math Methods Econ, Wiedner Hauptstr 8-10, A-1040 Vienna, Austria Biossolido Agr & Ambiente Ltda, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Biossolo Serv Agron & Ambientais Ltda, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Florida, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Indian River Res & Educ Ctr, Ft Pierce, FL 34945 USA Univ Sassari, Dipartimento Architettura Design & Urbanist, Via Colombo 1, I-08100 Nuoro, Italy Univ Sassari, Desertificat Res Ctr, Viale Italia 39, I-07100 Sassari, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Plant Protect Rural Engn & Soils, Sch Engn, BR-15 38500 Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2004/15097-0 CNPq: 485205/2012-2 CNPq: 312728/2017-4 FAPESP: 2006/52174-9 FAPESP: 2017/26375-1 CAPES: 001

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:30:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-05-01 Agence Nationale de la Recherche Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Universidade de São Paulo Background and aims: Comparing root functioning under contrasting rainfall regimes can help assessing the capacity of plant species to cope with more intense and frequent drought predicted under climate change context. While the awareness of the need to study the whole root system is growing, most of the studies of root functioning through rhizosphere analyses have been restricted to the topsoil. Our study aimed to assess whether the depth in the soil and the rainfall amount affect root functioning, and notably the fate of nutrients within the rhizosphere. Methods: We compared pH and nutrient availability within the rhizosphere and bulk soil along a 4-m deep soil profile in a 5-year-old eucalypt (Eucalyptus grandis) plantation under undisturbed and reduced rainfall treatments. Results: The exchangeable K concentration and the pH of the bulk soil were not influenced by the reduced rainfall treatment. By contrast, the H3O+ concentration in the rhizosphere was significantly greater than that of the bulk soil, only in the reduced rainfall plot. The concentrations of exchangeable K in the rhizosphere were significantly larger than those of the bulk soil in both treatments but this difference was higher in the reduced rainfall plot, notably below the depth of 2 m. Both exchangeable K and H3O+ concentration significantly increased within the rhizosphere in the reduced rainfall treatment at soil depth down to 4 m. Conclusions: The amount of K brought to the roots by mass flow was estimated and could not explain the observed increase in exchangeable K concentration within the rhizosphere. A more likely explanation was root-induced weathering of K-bearing minerals, partly related to enhanced rhizosphere acidification. Our results demonstrate that root functioning can be considerably altered as a response to drought down to large depths. CIRAD UMR Eco&Sols, 2 Place Viala INRA UMR Eco&Sols, 2 Place Viala FCA UNESP LCF ESALQ CENA ESALQ FCA UNESP Agence Nationale de la Recherche: ANR-13-AGRO-0005 FAPESP: 2013/25998-4

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:52:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Functional specialization of fine roots was found for Eucalyptus grandis trees at harvesting age (6 years) on tropical soils. Aiming to elucidate whether functional specialization is a ubiquitous feature of eucalypts, we focused on its changes with ontogeny, tree nutrient status and soil depth. We studied the potential uptake of N, K and Ca by 2-year-old E. grandis trees, as a function of soil depth and NPK fertilization. We injected NO−3-15N, Rb+ (K+ analogue) and Sr2+ (Ca2+ analogue) tracers simultaneously in a solution at depths of 10, 50, 150 and 300 cm in a sandy Ferralsol soil. A complete randomized block design was set up with three replicates of paired trees per injection depth, in fertilized and non-fertilized plots. Recently expanded leaves were sampled at 70 days after tracer injection. Determination of foliar Rb, Sr concentrations and x(15N) allowed estimating the relative uptake potential (RUP) and the specific RUP (SRUP), defined as the ratio between RUP and fine root length density (RLD) in the corresponding soil layer. Various root traits were measured at each depth. Foliar N and K concentrations were higher in fertilized than in non-fertilized trees. The RUP of NO3 –-15N decreased sharply with soil depth and the highest values of the SRUP of NO3 –-15N were found at a depth of 50 cm. The RUP of Rb+ and Sr2+ did not change with soil depth, whilst the SRUP of Rb+ and Sr2+ were higher at the depth of 300 cm than in the topsoil, concomitant with an increase in root diameter and a decrease in root tissue density with depth. The SRUP of Rb+ and Sr2+ at a depth of 300 cm were on average 136 and 61% higher for fertilized trees than for non-fertilized trees, respectively. Fine roots of young E. grandis trees showed contrasting potential uptake rates with soil depth depending on the nutrient. Fertilization increased the uptake rate of Rb+ and Sr2+ by unit of root length in deep soil layers. Functional specialization of fine roots for cations of low mobility depending on depth previously shown at harvesting age also occurs in young E. grandis plantations and increases with fertilization application. This mechanism helps explaining very low amounts of cations lost by leaching in Eucalyptus plantations established in deep tropical soils, even in highly fertilized stands. USP-ESALQ CIRAD UMR Eco&Sols Eco&Sols Univ Montpellier CIRAD INRA IRD, Montpellier SupAgro UNESP Departamento de Solos e Recursos Ambientais Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ USP-CENA INRA CIRAD IRD Montpellier SupAgro University of Montpellier UMR Eco&Sols UNESP Departamento de Solos e Recursos Ambientais Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:53:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-09-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) University of Florida Quality reference values (QRV) for potentially toxic elements (PTE) in soils are established as a tool for prevention and monitoring of soil pollution. These values should be periodically revised in order to ensure soil safety for agricultural purposes. Brazil is market leader for several commodities; therefore, the safety of Brazilian soils is of worldwide strategic importance. The objective of this study was to determine the natural background concentrations and the QRV for As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn by investigating 30 representative pedotypes in the São Paulo State, one of the most important agro-industry economy at worldwide level. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to determine the sources of PTE and their variability. The mean natural background concentrations of PTE in the soils were generally lower to those reported in literature. QRV, calculated for each element as the 75th and 90th percentiles, were lower (75th for As, Cd, Pb, and Zn), similar (75th for Ba, Cr, and Se) or above (90th for Ba, Cr, and Se and 75-90th for Ni) those previously proposed by the Brazilian environmental protection agencies. The results indicate that 75th percentile may be too restrictive. The PTE in the investigated soils appear to have comes mainly from two primary natural sources: a prevalent one of geogenic and a secondary of pedogenic origin. These results confirm the predominant natural source of selected PTE in the investigated soils, thus sustaining the possibility of using the data set to develop QRV for the State of São Paulo. Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University Department of Plant Nutrition Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture University of São Paulo Department of Soil Science Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture University of São Paulo Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center University of Florida Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agricultural Sciences Centre Federal University of São Carlos Department of Soils and Environmental Resources College of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Colombo n◦; 1 Desertification Research Centre Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia n◦; 39 Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils School of Engineering São Paulo State University Department of Soils and Environmental Resources College of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) FAPESP: 07/59402-0

Municipal solid wastes (MSW) can be composted to become an organic fertilizer. However, besides plant nutrients, it can also contain high concentration of some toxic metals than can pollute agricultural soils, contaminate food, animals and human being. A greenhouse experiment was carried out for two purposes: i) to evaluate the concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc in four Brazilian MSW composts, and, ii) to know which is the best solution for extracting those metals in phytoavailable form from the composts. In order to evaluate the phytoavailability of metals, they were extracted with six chemical extractants: i) water, ii) 0.05 mol L−1 Ca(NO3)2, iii) 0.1 mol L−1 HCl, iv) 0.005 mol L−1 DTPA at pH 7.3, v) 0.05 mol L−1 CaCl2 and vi) Mehlich 3 solution. In addition, lettuces were cultivated as a test plant in pots containing 1.8 kg of MSW compost as substrate. Fifty-six days later, lettuce plants were harvested. New lettuces were then planted for a second cycle, and then harvested after fifty-six days. Semi-total concentration of metals in composts and total in plants was also determined through an extraction with nitric-perchloric acid. Semi–total concentration of Cd and Pb exceeded the intervention limits from Brazil in the four studied composts, and lettuce plants were polluted by those two elements. Therefore, compost made of MSW must be characterized before being used for agricultural soils. Copper and nickel in phytoavailable were effectively extracted with the strongest chelating agents used, HCl and Mehlich 3, probably because most metal is bound to organic matter in the compost. Cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc were no efficiently extracted with any of the tested extractants.

International audience; Potassium (K) is generally considered as being closely linked to plant water dynamics. Consequently, reinforcing K nutrition, which theoretically favors root growth and specific surface, extends leaf lifespan, and regulates stomatal functioning, is often used to tackle water stress. We designed a greenhouse pot-scale device to test these interactions on corn (Zea mays L.), and to analyze their links to plant transpiration. Three levels of K nutrition were combined with two water-supply treatments. Shoot and root development and growth were continuously measured during a 60-day-long experiment. Individual plant transpiration was measured by weighing pots and by calculating water mass balances. The results showed that, although K deficiency symptoms resembled those caused by water shortage, there was no advantage to over-fertilizing water-stressed plants. K failed to decrease either the transpiration per unit leaf surface or to improve water use efficiency. The link between K nutrition and plant transpiration appears solely attributable to the effect of K on leaf area. We conclude that K over-fertilization could ultimately jeopardize crops by enhancing early-stage water transpiration to the detriment of later developmental stages.

A presença de metais pesados tóxicos em fertilizantes tem sido motivo de preocupação e apontada como um dos obstáculos à produção sustentável de alimentos. Por outro lado, há uma crescente busca por produtos agrícolas de melhor qualidade, com maior teor de micronutrientes e menos fatores antinutricionais, como os metais pesados tóxicos. No Brasil, há poucos trabalhos relacionando fertilização e qualidade dos produtos agrícolas, em termos de micronutrientes e metais pesados tóxicos. Neste contexto, no presente trabalho foram realizados quatro experimentos tendo como objetivos avaliar: 1) a eficiência de métodos de extração e de quantificação simultânea de micronutrientes e de metais pesados tóxicos em fertilizantes; 2) a influência da fertilização nos teores de micronutrientes e metais pesados tóxicos no solo, nos indicadores microbiológicos, nas atividades enzimáticas em plantas e na qualidade dos produtos agrícolas; 3) a variação genotípica para teor de Cd, micronutrientes e suas relações em 35 cultivares de arroz de terras altas do Brasil; 4) a influência do estado nutricional e genotípica nos teores de Cd e 70Zn no arroz. Quando se usa reagentes e água de alta pureza, a análise de metais pesados tóxicos em amostras de fertilizantes pode ser realizada por micro-ondas ou sistema aberto, sendo que as quantificações dos elementos por ICP-MS e ICP-AES produzem resultados semelhantes. Porém, na análise dos teores naturais de Cd, Cr e Pb apenas a quantificação por ICP-MS foi adequada. Nas condições deste trabalho, tanto os subprodutos e rocha fosfática quanto os fertilizantes foram capazes de fornecer nutrientes às plantas, sem causar aumentos excessivos de metais pesados tóxicos nos solos e nos produtos agrícolas. Os indicadores microbiológicos do solo e as atividades enzimáticas em plantas de alface reagiram positivamente à fertilização. Foram identificadas variedades de arroz de terras altas com baixo e alto teor de Cd nos grãos. Os teores de Fe, Zn e Se apresentaram relações inversas ao teor de Cd. Observou-se interação entre estado nutricional da planta e genótipo no teor de Cd em grãos de arroz de terras altas cultivado em solução nutritiva. Concluiu-se que, com manejo adequado, a fertilização aumenta a produtividade e melhorar qualidade dos produtos agrícolas para alimentação humana e animal The presence of toxic heavy metals in fertilizers has been a big concern. It has been indicated as one of the obstacles to sustainable food production. On the other hand, there is a growing demand for better-quality products, with high micronutrient content and low malnutrition factors, such as toxic heavy metals. In Brazil there are scarce number of studies regarding fertilization and the quality of agricultural products for micronutrients and toxic heavy metals. In this context, the present study, involving four experiments, was conducted with the objectives: 1) to assess the efficiency of methods to extract and quantify micronutrients and toxic heavy metals in fertilizers; 2) to study the influence of fertilization on the levels of micronutrients and toxic heavy metals in agricultural products; 3) to evaluate the genotypic variation in response to the content of Cd, micronutrients and their relations in 35 upland rice cultivars from Brazil; and 4) to determine the influence of the nutritional status and genotype on the levels of Cd and 70Zn in rice plant. The results showed that with the use of reagents and water of high purity, toxic heavy metals can be extracted for analysis by microwave or an open air system, and that quantification of the elements by ICP-MS and ICP-AES yields similar results. However, for the analysis of natural contents of Cd, Cr and Pb only ICP-MS quantification was appropriate. Further, both by-products and phosphate rock, as fertilizers were able to supply nutrients to the plants without causing excessive increases of toxic heavy metals in soil and agricultural products. Microbiological soil indicators and enzyme activities in plants responded positively to fertilization. Furthermore, results also showed that there were upland rice cultivars with low and high Cd content in the grains, and the levels of Fe, Zn and Se showed inverse relations with the Cd content. There was an interaction between plants the nutritional status and genotype for Cd content in grains of upland rice cultivars. Based on the results, it can be concluded that with adequate management, fertilization can increase crop yields and improve the quality of agricultural products for human and animal consumption

Aims Boron (B) is the most deficient micronutrient in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). It is generally accepted that B is immobile in cotton phloem, but some cultivars could remobilize the nutrient. In order to further understand B uptake and mobility in various cotton cultivars two experiments were conducted.

Department of Soils and Fertilizers Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo

Environmental swipe sampling for safeguards purpose has been used by International Atomic Energy Agency since 1997, being a powerful tool to detect undeclared materials and activities. This work describes a new methodology for swipe samples analysis based on ultrasound-assisted acid leaching and compares it with traditional total digestion bulk analysis. The proposed method requires few preparation steps, decreasing the risk of contamination, reduced amounts of reagents and a good option to extract uranium from swipe sample. In a real case study, the swipe samples were collected in a conversion plant at IPEN/CNEN, Brazil. The measurements were carried out by ICP-MS and the results showed relative error lower than 0.96 % for uranium isotopic ratios for the certified reference material (NBS U200). The uncertainties were estimated by following the ISO GUM, with a confidence level of 95 %. The uncertainties percentage for n(235U)/n(238U) ratio of the samples ranged from 2.5 to 4.3 %. The values of uranium isotopic ratio obtained for each method demonstrate the viability of using the methodology proposed in this work.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of application rates of sewage sludge and mineral nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers on As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn concentration in soil, cane plant, and first ratoon (residual effect) in a Typic Hapludult soil. To allow an analysis by means of response surface modeling, four rates of sewage sludge (0, 3.6, 7.2 and 10.8 t ha(-1), dry base), of N (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha(-1)) and of P(2)O(5) (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha(-1)) were applied in randomized block design, in a 4 × 4 × 4 factorial scheme, with confounded degrees of freedom for triple interaction, with two replications. To evaluate the residual effect of the sludge applied to cane plant on the cane ratoon growth, mineral NK fertilizers were applied at the rates of 120 kg ha(-1) N and 140 kg ha(-1) of K(2)O, on all treatments. The application rates of mineral nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers did not affect statistically the heavy metal concentration in the soil and in the sugarcane plants. Sewage sludge application increased As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in soil, but values did not exceed the quality standard established by legislation for agricultural soils. Although the concentrations of metals in the plants were very low, the uptake of heavy metal by sugarcane plants was generally increased by sewage sludge doses. The use of sewage sludge based on N criteria introduces a small amount of heavy metal into the agricultural system, however it poses no hazard to the environment.

1.Little is known about the role of deep roots in the nutrition of forest trees and their ability to provide a safety-net service taking up nutrients leached from the topsoil. 2.To address this issue, we studied the potential uptake of N, K and Ca by Eucalyptus grandis trees (6 years of age - 25 m mean height), in Brazil, as a function of soil depth, texture and water content. We injected -15N, Rb+ (analogue of K+) and Sr2+ (analogue of Ca2+) tracers simultaneously in a solution through plastic tubes at 10, 50, 150 and 300 cm in depth in a sandy and a clayey Ferralsol soil. A complete randomized design was set up with three replicates of paired trees per injection depth and soil type. Recently expanded leaves were sampled at various times after tracer injection in the summer, and the experiment was repeated in the winter. Soil water contents were continuously monitored at the different depths in the two soils. 3.Determination of foliar Rb and Sr concentrations and 15N atom % made it possible to estimate the relative uptake potential (RUP) of tracer injections from the four soil depths and the specific RUP (SRUP), defined as RUP, per unit of fine root length density in the corresponding soil layer. 4.The highest tracer uptake rates were found in the topsoil, but contrasting RUP distributions were observed for the three tracers. Whilst the RUP was higher for -15N than for Rb+ and Sr2+ in the upper 50 cm of soil, the highest SRUP values for Sr2+ and Rb+ were found at a depth of 300 cm in the sandy soil, as well as in the clayey soil when gravitational solutions reached that depth. 5.Our results suggest that the fine roots of E. grandis trees exhibit contrasting potential uptake rates with depth depending on the nutrient. This functional specialization of roots might contribute to the high growth rates of E. grandis trees, efficiently providing the large amounts of nutrients required throughout the development of these fast-growing plantations. (Resume d'auteur)

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:46:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-06832010000200029.pdf: 1310325 bytes, checksum: be0514b70f575d11e2bbbca4056a4b6b (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:46:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-06832010000200029.pdf: 1310325 bytes, checksum: be0514b70f575d11e2bbbca4056a4b6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:51:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-06832010000200029.pdf: 1310325 bytes, checksum: be0514b70f575d11e2bbbca4056a4b6b (MD5) S0100-06832010000200029.pdf.txt: 32987 bytes, checksum: a48190234b20ca5ea95ada2d73917343 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:13:53Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-06832010000200029.pdf: 1310325 bytes, checksum: be0514b70f575d11e2bbbca4056a4b6b (MD5) S0100-06832010000200029.pdf.txt: 32987 bytes, checksum: a48190234b20ca5ea95ada2d73917343 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:13:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-06832010000200029.pdf: 1310325 bytes, checksum: be0514b70f575d11e2bbbca4056a4b6b (MD5) S0100-06832010000200029.pdf.txt: 32987 bytes, checksum: a48190234b20ca5ea95ada2d73917343 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) O uso do lodo de esgoto na agricultura brasileira foi normatizado pela Resolução Conama nº 375, de 2006. No entanto, faltam pesquisas para adequar as doses complementares de adubos minerais nitrogenado e fosfatado a serem aplicadas em área agrícola tratada com lodo. Avaliaram-se os efeitos de doses de lodo de esgoto e de adubos minerais nitrogenado e fosfatado sobre a produtividade e as características tecnológicas da cana-planta e da primeira soqueira (efeito residual), em campo. Foram aplicadas quatro doses de lodo (0, 3,6, 7,2 e 10,8 t ha-1, base seca), de N (0, 30, 60 e 90 kg ha-1) e de P2O5 (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1), em delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial, com duas repetições. Para avaliar o efeito residual do lodo, foram aplicados 120 kg ha-1 de N e 140 kg ha-1 de K2O em todas as plotas. A aplicação de lodo no plantio da cana, combinado ou não com adubo mineral nitrogenado e, ou, fosfatado, aumentou a produtividade de colmos de 84 a 118 t ha-1, sem alterar a qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar, em relação à adubação NPK convencional, que produziu 91 t ha-1 de colmo. O estudo de superfície de resposta para a produtividade de colmo, em solo de baixa fertilidade, permitiu estabelecer sugestão de recomendação de adubo mineral nitrogenado e fosfatado para implantação de canavial, em função da dose de lodo, bem como concluir que a aplicação de 10,8 t ha-1 de lodo, ou seja, da dose estabelecida pelo critério do N, conforme Resolução Conama nº 375, pôde: reduzir o uso de N mineral em 100 % e o de P2O5 em 30 %, com aumento de produtividade de colmos em 22 %, em relação à adubação NPK convencional, como efeito direto do lodo sobre o cultivo da cana-planta; e aumentar a produtividade de colmos da primeira soqueira em até 12 % e a de açúcar em até 11 %, como efeito residual do lodo aplicado na cana-planta sobre o cultivo da cana-soca. The use of sewage sludge in Brazilian agriculture was regulated by the resolution no. 375 Conama, in 2006. However, there is a lack of research to adequate the mineral N and P fertilizer doses to be applied in agricultural fields treated with this residue. In a field experiment, the effects of application rates of sewage sludge and mineral N and P fertilizers on the productivity and technical characteristics of the cane-plant and first ratoon (residual effect) crops were evaluated. Four doses of sewage sludge (0, 3.6, 7.2 and 10.8 t ha-1, dry base), of N (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) and of P2O5 (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) were combined in a factorial and laid out on randomized block design, a with two replications. To evaluate the residual effect of the sludge, 120 kg ha-1 N and 140 kg ha-1 of K2O were applied in all plots. Sludge application at cane planting, with or without N and/or P fertilizer increased the stalk yield from 84 up to 118 t ha-1, with no alteration in the sugarcane quality, compared with the application of NPK fertilizer alone, resulting in a stalk yield of 91 t ha-1. The study of the response surface for stalk yield on lowfertility soil was the basis for a recommendation of mineral N and P fertilizer doses for sugarcane implantation as related to sewage sludge application rates. It was also concluded that a sludge application of 10.8 t ha-1, which is the sludge dose established based on the N criterion according to the resolution Conama nº 375, could a) reduce the use of mineral N by 100 % and of P2O5 by 30 %, with increments of 22 % in stalk yield, as a direct effect of sludge application to cane plant crop, and b) increase the stalk yield in the second harvest (first ratoon) by up to 12 % and sugar yield by up to 11 %, by the residual effect of sludge application to sugar cane. USP Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura USP CENA Laboratório de Nutrição Mineral de Plantas UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal Departamento de Ciências Exatas Biossolo - Agricultura & Ambiente Ltda USP CENA UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal Departamento de Ciências Exatas FAPESP: 07/54720-3

Many researchers have evaluated the effects of successive applications of sewage sludge (SS) on soil plant-systems, but most have not taken into account the residual effect of organic matter remaining from prior applications. Furthermore, few studies have been carried out to compare the effects of the agricultural use of SS and sewage sludge compost (SSC). Therefore, we evaluated the residual effect of SS and SSC on the heavy metal concentrations in soil and in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) leaves and juice. The field experiment was established after the second harvesting of unburned sugarcane, when the organic materials were applied. The SS and SSC rates were (t ha(-1), dry base): 0, 12.5, 25, and 50; and 0, 21, 42, and 84, respectively. All element concentrations in the soil were below the standards established by Sao Paulo State environmental legislation. SS promoted small increases in Zn concentrations in soil and Cu concentrations in leaves. However, all heavy metals concentrations in the leaves were lower than the limits established for toxic elements and were in accordance with the limits established for micronutrients. There were reductions in the concentrations of Ni and Cu in soil and the concentration of Pb in juice, with increasing rates of SSC. The heavy metal concentrations were very low in the juice. Under humid tropical conditions and with short-term use, SS and SSC containing low heavy metal concentrations did not have negative effects on plants and soil.

The zinc (Zn) supply increases the fruit yield of Citrus trees that are grown, especially in the highly weathered soils of the tropics due to the inherently low nutrient availability in the soil solution. Leaf sprays containing micronutrients are commonly applied to orchards, even though the nutrient supply via soil could be of practical value. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zn fertilizers that are applied to the soil surface on absorption and partitioning of the nutrient by citrus trees. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with one-year-old sweet orange trees. The plants were grown in soils with different textures (18.1 or 64.4% clay) that received 1.8 g Zn per plant, in the form of either ZnO or ZnSO4 enriched with the stable isotope 68Zn. Zinc fertilization increased the availability of the nutrient in the soil and the content in the orange trees. Greater responses were obtained when ZnSO4 was applied to the sandy loam soil due to its lower specific metal adsorption compared to that of the clay soil. The trunk and branches accumulated the most fertilizer-derived Zn (Zndff) and thus represent the major reserve organ for this nutrient in the plant. The trees recovered up to 4% of the applied Zndff. Despite this relative low recovery, the Zn requirement of the trees was met with the selected treatment based on the total leaf nutrient content and increased Cu/Zn-SOD activity in the leaves. We conclude that the efficiency of Zn fertilizers depends on the fertilizer source and the soil texture, which must be taken into account by guidelines for fruit crop fertilization via soil, in substitution or complementation of traditional foliar sprays.

Treated swine wastewater agricultural use can promote environmental and agronomical improvements, however, the inappropiate management of this organic load added on soil can cause unbalances in soil fertility and in availability of nutrients and/or contaminants. Thus, this study aim was evaluate the organic matter biodegradation of treated swine wastewater (WB) and diluted swine wastewater (WBD) applied in Oxisol clayey texture (CS) and in Ultisol (SS) with medium-sandy texture. The treatments studied were: R1 – CS control; R2 – irrigation with WB on CS; R3 – irrigation with WBD on CS; R4 – SS control; R5 – irrigation with WBD on SS; R6 – irrigation with WBD on SS. Three applications were done in flasks containing 500 g of soils sampled from depth of 0-20 cm, the C-CO2 evolutions and degradation fractions were quantified after each application. The results obtained were adjusted to first-order chemical kinetics model. More than half organic matter was biodegraded between 4 and 10 days of incubation, when higher WB amount was applied (33.3 mm). Sucessive WBD use caused degradation of organic matter remaning of previous application. Higher CO2 evolutions were obtained for Oxisol treatments due to higher carbon contents of this soil. SW use caused depletion of Ultisol native organic matter. However, the WB use in Oxisol provided accumulation of organic matter. Soon, the respirometry test evidenced the importance of evaluate the soil depuration capacity before agricultural use, since that this process can affect the contents of organic matter native of these soils and the availabity of nutrient/contaminant for soil-water-plant system.