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ABSTRACT Studies on lability of soil phosphorus (P) under integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are still scarce, especially for deep soil layers (more than 0.20 m depth) and different managements in the crop and livestock phase. Distinct management in these phases may lead to a different distribution of soil P pools according to its lability (labile, moderately labile, less labile and residual) and, consequently, the P availability for plant nutrition. This study aimed to determine the soil P pools, by P fractionation and its distribution in lability classes. In a long-term ICLS experiment of grain and sheep production established in 2003, in Southern Brazil, we sampled in 2017 the 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.26, 0.26-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m layers of a Red Dystrophic Acrisol ( Argissolo Vermelho distrófico ) under two cropping systems in the summer (soybean/corn rotation and soybean/soybean succession), two grazing intensities (moderate and low) and two methods (continuous and rotational) in winter. Fractionation of P consisted of sequential extractions with anionic exchange resin, NaHCO 3 0.5 mol L -1 , NaOH 0.1 mol L -1 , HCl 1 mol L -1 , and NaOH 0.5 mol L -1 . The fractions were grouped in four different pools: labile, moderated labile, less labile and residual P. The soybean/soybean succession increased the labile pool of soil P in the 0.00-0.10 m layer compared to the soybean/corn rotation, regardless of the management of the livestock phase. Meanwhile, the management of the livestock phase also influenced soil P lability, regardless of the management of the crop phase. Low grazing intensity increased the levels of labile soil P in the 0.00-0.05 m layer, in comparison with the moderate grazing intensity and regardless of the grazing method. Grazing methods did not impact the soil P lability or content. The greater soil P availability in the soybean/soybean succession can be attributed to the higher quality (low carbon/nitrogen ratio) of the residue, while in the low grazing intensity to the higher forage dry matter production. Such management benefits nutrient cycling and consequently the P availability to the plants, being important to decrease production costs with the reduction and/or greater use efficiency of phosphate fertilizers.

Excessive rainfall in the soybean preharvest period can make mechanized crop harvesting technically and economically unfeasible, causing 100% losses in soybean grain yield. An alternative to reduce the economic losses of farmers would be using unharvested soybean crop residues as a source of nitrogen (N) for the subsequent corn crop. However, a question that still needs to be understood is whether the amount of N released from unharvested soybean residues (straw and grains) is sufficient to meet all the nutritional demand for this nutrient in the off-season corn. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of unharvested soybean crop residue persistence on the yield response of off-season corn crop (Zea mays L.) to the application of N fertilizer rates when grown in tropical Cerrado soils of medium and high fertility. Four simple corn hybrids (SYN7G17 TL, 30F53VYHR, B2433PWU, and AG 8700 PRO3) were grown in soils of medium fertility and medium acidity level (UFMS 1) and high fertility and low acidity level (UFMS 2) and fertilized with five of N fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha-1 of N) applied at 30 days after emergence (DAE). Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to investigate the interrelationships between the groups of independent (agricultural production areas, corn cultivars, and N application rates) and dependent (corn agronomic traits) variables. Crop residues remaining on the soil surface from soybeans not harvested and inoculated with Bradyrhizobium spp. can supply most of the nitrogen requirement of off-season corn grown in succession, especially in tropical soils of medium fertility. However, in high-fertility tropical soils, the maximum grain yield potential of off-season corn cultivars can be obtained with the application of mineral N fertilizer in supplement the amount of nitrogen released from unharvested soybean residues. Therefore, the N requirement depends on the corn cultivar and the agricultural production area. However, our results show that when off-season corn is grown on unharvested soybean residues, nitrogen fertilization in topdressing can be dispensed. The agricultural area with high fertility soil (UFMS 2) enhances the grain yield of the off-season corn crop. The corn cultivar AG 8700 PRO3 has a higher thousand-grain mass and high grain yield potential under Brazilian Cerrado conditions.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate phytomass production, nutrient cycling, and efficiency of nutrient use by single and intercropped crop systems, in the second crop, under no-tillage. The experiment was carried out during the second crop of 2014 and 2015 in the Cerrado biome of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in a randomized complete block design, with nine treatments and four replicates. In 2014, the systems were evaluated at 63, 93, 124, and 157 days after sowing; and, in 2015, they were evaluated at flowering and senescence. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were determined. In 2014, the single crop systems Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, and Pennisetum glaucum showed the largest accumulations of phytomass and nutrients. In 2015, the intercropped systems showed the largest accumulations of phytomass, the largest nutrient cycling, and the highest nutrient use efficiency. In the no-tillage crop systems, U. ruziziensis, either in single cultivation or intercropped with corn and sunflower, increased phytomass. The most efficient systems for the use of all nutrients, in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso, are the intercropping of sunflower with U. ruziziensis, corn with U. ruziziensis, and corn with Crotalaria spectabilis.

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) intercropped in the pasture phase promote alterations in the dynamics of soil attributes, among them the enzymatic activity.This study aimed to evaluate soil enzymatic and microbial activities, following the implementation of ICLS with increased plant diversity during the pasture phase.The study consisted of soybean cultivation at season and pasture with different diversity levels in the off-season: very low - monocropped Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás with no animal entry; low - monocropped Paiaguás; medium - Paiaguás and cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata); high - Paiaguás, cowpea bean and niger (Guizotia abyssinica); very high - Paiaguás, cowpea bean, niger, buckwheat (Fogopyrum esculentum) and forage turnip (Raphanus sativus). The introduction of plants from different families, associated to grazing, positively affected the enzymatic activities of acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease. In relation to microbial biomass carbon and basal respiration, there were no effects from the treatments. Therefore, among the evaluated biochemical soil attributes, the activities of some soil enzymes were more sensitive in demonstrating, in the short term, the positive effects of the increased plant variety in the ICLS pasture phase.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of the soil and its relation with soybean (Glycine max) yield in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), with intercropping between grasses and legumes in the pasture phase. The experiment was carried out in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, on a dystrophic Oxisol, in which grasses (Megathyrsus maximus 'BRS Tamani' and Urochloa brizantha 'BRS Piatã'), intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata 'BRS Tumucumaque') and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan 'BRS Mandarim'), were cultivated after soybean harvest. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replicates, in a split-plot arrangement, in which grasses were considered as plots, and legumes as subplots. Legume intercrops provided increases of C and total N stocks. The intercrops caused the increase of C and N of the microbial biomass, whereas the single cultures contributed to stress in the soil microbiota. The activity of the urease enzyme was sensitive to management changes in the short term, but acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase were poorly sensitive indicators. Soil quality is high with intercropping between grasses and legumes, with positive effects on soybean grain yield.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the soil physical and biological properties in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), with or without cattle grazing, in different seasons. The experiment was carried out in the Cerrado biome, in Brazil, in a Rhodic Eutrudox. The treatments consisted of grazing areas (Urochloa ruziziensis) at 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 m heights (with soybean cultivation after grazing) and of nongrazed areas. The ICLS had no negative effects on soil bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, and microporosity. After ICLS implementation, the values of soil bulk density decreased, and those of soil macroporosity increased, in the grazed and nongrazed areas. However, after three years, bulk density and macroporosity were reestablished to values similar to those before ICLS implementation. Soil penetration resistance was higher in the ICLS, mainly at 0.00-0.05 m soil depth. After four years, ICLS promoted the increase of microbial biomass C and N and the reduction of the metabolic quotient. The microbial biomass carbon and the metabolic quotient were related to the weighted mean diameter. ICLS benefits to soil physical and biological properties are associated with adequate ICLS implementation, adequate grazing height (0.35 m), and maintenance of soil cover.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of phytomass accumulation, soil cover, and nutrient cycling promoted by cultivation systems with annual and cover crops on the grain yield of soybean sown in succession in the Cerrado, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with nine cultivation systems and four replicates, in two crop seasons. In 2014/2015, forage grasses and legumes were evaluated, besides fallow treatments. In 2015/2016, forage and legume intercropped or not with corn or sunflower and fallow were assessed; the soybean crop was evaluated following cover crops. Phytomass, soil cover, and nutrient cycling provided by cultivation systems, as well as soybean mass and yield, were determined. Urochloa ruziziensis alone or intercropped, compared with the fallow systems, promotes significant increases in phytomass production, soil cover and nutrient cycling, with an increase in the grain yield of soybean planted in succession. N and K are the most accumulated nutrients in the aerial part of the cover crops and are released in larger quantities in the soil in the two years of evaluation. Crotalaria spectabilis promotes an increase in soybean yield in the 2015/2016 crop season, compared with U. ruziziensis, due to the synchronism between N release and uptake under no-tillage system.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the biomass (leaves and stems) production of annual and cover crops sown as second crop, and its effects on soybean yield in succession. The experiment was carried out in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 crop seasons. Soybean was sown in the crop season and in the second crop, in a randomized complete block design, in nine production systems (treatments) consisting of annual crops (corn, sunflower, and cowpea) and cover crops (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria breviflora, C. spectabilis, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes sp., and U. brizantha), which were grown in monocropping or intercropping systems, besides fallow as a control. Monocropped P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis showed a faster establishment and growth of plants, higher-total biomass and soil cover rate in the 2014 crop season. In 2015, corn intercropped with U.ruziziensis and C.spectabilis, and sunflower with U.ruziziensis stood out for total biomass production during flowering and after harvesting of corn and sunflower grains. Biomass composition in the systems showed greater proportions of stems than of leaves, and C.spectabilis stood out after senescence. Sown as a second crop, C. spectabilis promotes yield increase of soybean grown in succession in the no-tillage system.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in soil quality due to different times of adoption of the no-tillage system in “murundu” (mound) fields converted to agriculture, as well as to identify the best indicators to explain these changes. The study was carried out on a Plinthic Altisol, in the municipality of Portelândia, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The treatments consisted of different times of conversion and of adoption of the no-tillage system - 8, 12, and 17 years - and of native area between the mounds and on top of the mounds (reference area). After 17 years of the adoption of no-tillage, there was an increase in organic carbon and nitrogen, as well as in their particulate fractions in relation to the reference area. The microbiological attributes showed greater values in the 17-year no-tillage period compared with the native area. For soil aggregation, 12 years of adoption of the no-tillage system were enough to show an increase in this variable. The main attributes to be used as soil quality indicators are microbial biomass carbon, the carbon management index, and the microbial quotient.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da conversão de áreas de campos de murundus para sistemas agrícolas de plantio direto (PD) nos estoques de C orgânico e de N total do solo, em suas frações na matéria orgânica do solo e na estabilidade de agregados. O estudo foi realizado em uma cronossequência com 7, 11 e 16 anos de conversão para o PD, e em duas áreas de referência caracterizadas como topo dos murundus (TM) e entre os murundus (EM). O teor de C nos solos variou de acordo com o tempo de conversão para áreas agrícolas, em todas as profundidades, com exceção da área EM. Os estoques de C sofreram efeitos negativos da conversão da área nativa em agrícola, e os maiores estoques foram observados nas áreas EM e TM. O índice de manejo de C aumentou com o tempo de adoção do PD, em relação ao TM, e os atributos do solo melhoraram com o aumento no tempo de adoção de 7 para 16 anos de PD, mas os estoques de C orgânico nas áreas convertidas não retornam aos níveis observados nas áreas referências.

The selection of cover crop species with high potential for root growth in dense layers of soil can help in the management of agricultural systems through biological soil unpacking. This study aimed at evaluating the performance of crotalaria species (Crotalaria juncea, C. spectabilis and C. ochroleuca) as unpacking agents, in a dystrophic Oxisol under different bulk densities (1.0 Mg m-3, 1.2 Mg m-3, 1.4 Mg m-3, 1.6 Mg m-3 and 1.8 Mg m-3). All species showed reduction in the growth of shoots and roots, when cultivated in soil with bulk density higher than 1.4 Mg m-3. Crotalaria juncea showed the best results for shoot and root biomass production with bulk density up to 1.4 Mg m-3. The root growth of plants is higher in layers above and below the compacted layer.

Soil use and fertilizer management as well as cropping systems influence phosphorus (P) availability in the soil. This study evaluated P fractions and availability in a chronosequence of anthropic influence in a Haplic Plinthosol, in sites under no-till for different time periods: seven (NT7), eleven (NT11), and sixteen (NT16) years. Labile P concentrations in the soil accounted for 10%, 8%, and 9% of the total P for treatments NT7, NT11, and NT16, respectively. The labile P values ranged between 99 and 122 mg dm-3andindicatied no time in no-tillage influence on labile P under in the studied Plinthosol. However, moderately labile P contents increased with time: NT7 < NT11 < NT16 (237, 341, and 375 mg dm-3, respectively). This increased followed the elevation in iron oxide contents, indicating a relationship between mineralogy and P accumulation. Regardless of no-tillage period, P contents extracted by Mehlich-1 were lower, underestimating the available P content, when compared with the extraction using a P selective resin. The stocks of labile P were sufficient to maintain high crop yields, according to the recommendations for the Cerrado region. Even if labile P contents are reduced, when adopting no-till system, the contents and stocks of P in the soil after several years were high enough to provide for adequate crop yields.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the spore density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil aggregates from fields of "murundus" (large mounds of soil) in areas converted and not converted to agriculture. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replicates, in a 5x3 factorial arrangement: five areas and three aggregate classes (macro-, meso-, and microaggregates). The evaluated variables were: spore density and diversity of AMF, total glomalin, total organic carbon (TOC), total extraradical mycelium (TEM), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of soil aggregates. A total of 21 AMF species was identified. Spore density varied from 29 to 606 spores per 50 mL of soil and was higher in microaggregates and in the area with 6 years of conversion to agriculture. Total glomalin was higher between murundus in all studied aggregate classes. The area with 6 years showed lower concentration of TOC in macroaggregates (8.6 g kg-1) and in microaggregates (10.1 g kg-1). TEM was greater at the top of the murundus in all aggregate classes. GMD increased with the conversion time to agriculture. The density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal spores change with the conversion of fields of murundus into agriculture.

The presence of animals in farming areas can affect soil physical structures depending on grazing intensity. This study aimed to evaluate soil physical attributes, as well as soybean and brachiaria yield, under no-tillage, in an integrated crop-livestock system. Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized blocks design, with three replications, and consisted of different grazing heights (0.25 m, 0.35 m and 0.45 m) and a no-grazing area. The shoot and root dry biomass of soybean and brachiaria and soybean yield were evaluated. Soil samples were collected from 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth layers and the following soil physical attributes were determined: bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, penetration resistance and mean weight diameter of aggregates. Grazing intensities did not affect soil bulk density in any of the analyzed layers. There was a reduction in total porosity after the second grazing cycle, in the 0-5 cm layer. The mean weight diameter of aggregates was lower in grazed areas, in the 0-5 cm and 10-20 cm layers, and an increase in the penetration mechanical resistance was observed in all layers, especially for the 0.25 m height grazing treatment. The total dry biomass (soybean + brachiaria) and shoot dry biomass of brachiaria were lower in grazed areas. However, the soybean yield was not affected by the different grazing cycles.

Cerrado areas are agricultural frontiers of Brazil, being important to know the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in agricultural production systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of management and soil use in fractions and stocks organic carbon and nitrogen in the Cerrado soil. The experiment was conducted in Latosol with four treatments: native Cerrado (CE), no-tillage 18 years (NT), coffee 10 years (CF) and integrated system for agriculture (ISA) three years, evaluating the fractions and stocks of organic carbon and nitrogen in three depths. Soil management systems, at all depths, were not able to recover the organic carbon, nitrogen and their stocks in relation to the Cerrado. In the surface layer there was a decrease in the organic carbon content of 21, 33 and 46% for NT, CF and ISA respectively. Also there was a reduction in the nitrogen content in the surface layer of 33, 36 and 59% for the NT, CF and ISA respectively. Organic carbon varied from 74.3 Mg ha-1 in the CE, 58.8 Mg ha-1 in NT, 56.4 Mg ha-1 in CF and 50.8 Mg ha-1 in ISA. It was concluded that the total organic carbon, nitrogen and its fractions were effective in demonstrating the effects of managements and soil use; that of no-tillage and coffee were not efficient in the recovery of stocks of carbon and nitrogen requiring managements with more carbon input and the integrated production system is still in consolidation process.

Phosphorus (P) sorption by soils is a phenomenon that varies depending on soil characteristics, influencing its intensity and magnitude, which makes it a source or drain of P. The objective of this study was to determine the Maximum Phosphorus Adsorption Capacity (MPAC) and desorption of P from soils under native Savanna Brazilian and verify the correlation between MPAC and P Capacity Factor (PCF) with the chemical and physical properties of these soils. The study was conducted in seven soils under native Savannas. The Langmuir isotherms were adjusted from the values obtained in sorption assays, being evaluated the MPAC, the energy adsorption (EA) and PCF, which was calculated according to the levels of P-adsorbed and P-sorbed. Values of MPAC were classified as high in most soils, ranging from 283 up to 2635 mg kg-1 of P in the soil and were correlated with soil organic matter, clay, silt, sand, base saturation and pH. The PCF was higher in soils where the MPAC was also higher. The use of only one attribute of soil (clay content) as a criterion for the recommendation of phosphated fertilization, as routinely done, is susceptible to errors, needing the use of more attributes for a more accurate recommendation, as a function of the complexity of the interactions involved in the process.

Poultry litter applications can improve biological, physical, and chemical soil attributes. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of sequential turkey litter doses on properties of soil under a rotational grazing system with Brachiaria decumbens L., in Portelândia, Goiás State, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot randomized blocks design, with four replications. Treatments consisted of turkey litter doses [no litter, 8.7 Mg ha-1 (2008), 16.5 Mg ha-1 (2008 + 2009), and 30.9 Mg ha-1 (2008 + 2009 + 2010)], for plots, with the two highest doses resulting from the accumulation of litter applications, and three sampled soil depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-20 cm), for split-plots. Sequential applications of turkey litter doses improved soil fertility, increasing the pH, P, K, and base saturation rates, as well as organic carbon, total and particulate nitrogen contents, and decreasing aluminum saturation. Lower doses of turkey litter stimulated the soil microbial activity, promoting the mineralization of the organic matter particulate fraction, however, there was no effect on soil aggregation.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar o desenvolvimento e o rendimento de cultivares de bananeira no sudoeste de Goiás e adequar os níveis de adubação combinada de N e K. O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, no município de Rio Verde, Goiás. Os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses crescentes e combinadas de N e K (N0/K0 - 0 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 0 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K; N1/K1 - 150 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 200 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K ; N2/K2 - 300 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 450 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K; N3/K3 - 450 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 600 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K; N4/K4 - 600 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 800 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K), aplicadas em duas cultivares de banana, Thap Maeo e a Prata-Anã. As avaliações realizadas nas bananeiras foram: altura das plantas, diâmetro do pseudocaule e número de folhas aos 150 dias após plantio (DAT) e na época do florescimento. As plantas foram avaliadas no florescimento e na colheita das bananeiras, observando os seguintes componentes de produção: intervalo em dias entre o plantio e o florescimento, número de folhas na colheita, número de pencas por cacho e frutos na segunda penca, comprimento do engaço e dos frutos na segunda penca, diâmetro do engaço e dos frutos na segunda penca e peso do cacho, engaço e dos frutos na segunda penca. Amostras foliares das bananeira foram realizadas no seu florescimento e foram analisadas para obter os teores de macro e micronutrientes. Com os dados dos componentes de produção, calcularam-se o índice de durabilidade das folhas e a taxa de crescimento absoluto do pseudocaule das bananeiras. Os resultados foram submetidos a ANOVA e regressão, e a comparação de médias foi feita pelo teste de Tukey. Os atributos de desenvolvimento, a produção e os teores de macronutrientes e micronutrientes nas folhas da Thap Maeo e Prata-Anã foram influenciados pelas diferentes doses combinadas de N e K. O menor intervalo de dias entre o florescimento foi encontrado com as doses de 300 kg ha-1 de N e 450 kg ha-1 de K na Thap Maeo. Não houve melhor combinação das doses de N e K para os parâmetros de desenvolvimento, produção e teores foliares na Prata-Anã.

The sowing season has great influence on the establishment of forage, as spreading seeds out of season tends to harm productivity. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate sowing seasons, production and bromatological quality of Brachiaria forage species in Mineiros-GO. The experiment was held at IPAF/FIMES, in a typical Quartzarenic Neosol. The experimental treatments consisted of five sowing dates and five cultivars/species of forage grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) cv. Marandú, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés, Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato, Brachiaria decumbens Stapfe and Brachiaria ruziziensis). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with sub-plots, with four replications, each block represented by a sowing date. Dry matter production was higher in the first and second sowing dates. Cultivar Mulato achieved the highest productivity among the assessed cultivars. The sowing season and cultivars influenced the levels of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. It is concluded that a marked decrease occurs in dry matter production and bromatological quality of Brachiaria species when the sowing is done after mid-March.A época de semeadura tem grande influência no estabelecimento das forrageiras, em que, semeaduras realizadas fora da época adequada tendem a trazer prejuízos à produtividade. Com isso, objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar épocas de semeadura, a produção e a qualidade bromatológica de espécies forrageiras do gênero Brachiaria no município de Mineiros, Estado de Goiás. Instalou-se o presente experimento no IPAF/FIMES em um Neossolo Quartzarênico tipico. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram em cinco épocas de semeaduras (10/2/2006; 25/2/2006; 13/3/2006; 27/3/2006 e 12/4/2006) e cinco cultivares/espécies de forrageiras (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) cv. Marandú, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés, Brachiaria híbrida cv. Mulato, Brachiaria decumbens Stapf e Brachiaria ruziziensis). Utilizou-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualisados em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições, sendo cada bloco representado por uma data de semeadura. A produção de matéria seca foi superior na primeira e segunda época de semeadura. A cultivar Mulato obteve a maior produtividade entre as cultivares avaliadas. A época de semeadura e as cultivares influenciaram os teores de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido. Conclui-se que, ocorre acentuada diminuição na produção de matéria seca e na qualidade bromatológica de espécies de Brachiaria quando a semeadura é realizada após meados do mês de março.

Grazing intensities can influence soil aggregation, which can be temporarily and permanently affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the aggregate stability in water at the end of a soybean cycle and during pasture development in a crop-livestock integration system under no-tillage and grazing intensities. The experiment was initiated in 2001, in a dystrophic Red Latosol, after soybean harvest. Treatments consisted of pasture (black oat + Italian ryegrass) at heights of 10, 20 and 40 cm, grazed by young cattle, and a control (no grazing), followed by soybean cultivation, in a randomized block design. Soil samples were collected at the end of the soybean cycle (May/2007), during animal grazing (September/2007) and at the end of the grazing cycle (November/2007). The grazing period influences aggregate distribution, since in the September sampling (0-5 cm layer), there was a higher proportion of aggregates > 4.76 mm at all grazing intensities. Soil aggregation is higher in no-tillage crop-livestock integration systems in grazed than in ungrazed areas.As intensidades de pastejo podem influenciar o estado de agregação do solo, que pode sofrer alterações temporárias ou permanentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estabilidade dos agregados em água ao final do ciclo da soja e durante o desenvolvimento da pastagem em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em plantio direto submetido a intensidades de pastejo. O experimento foi iniciado em 2001, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, após a colheita da soja. Os tratamentos constaram de alturas de manejo da pastagem (aveia-preta + azevém): 10, 20 e 40 cm, com bovinos jovens, e sem pastejo, seguido do cultivo de soja, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso. Amostras de solo foram retiradas nas camadas de 0 a 5, 5 a 10 e 10 a 20 cm. As amostras foram coletadas ao final do ciclo da soja (maio/2007), em pleno pastejo pelos animais (setembro/2007) e ao final do pastejo (novembro/2007). O tempo em que os animais permanecem em pastejo influencia a distribuição de agregados no solo, uma vez que, na coleta do mês de setembro, na camada de 0 a 5 cm, houve maior proporção de agregados maiores que 4,76 mm em todas as intensidades de pastejo. Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária submetidos ao pastejo em plantio direto promovem maior agregação do solo em relação às áreas não pastejadas.

O revolvimento de áreas em plantio direto (PD) há vários anos e o uso de gesso agrícola são práticas observadas entre os produtores na região do sudoeste de Goiás. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de doses de gesso agrícola (0, 1, 2, 4 e 6 Mg ha-1) em alguns atributos químicos em profundidade no solo e no rendimento de grãos de soja em plantio direto com revolvimento (PDR) e sem revolvimento (PDS). O delineamento foi em blocos completos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, com quatro repetições. A área vinha sendo conduzida há vários anos em PD, em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico textura argilosa, no sudoeste goiano, com os teores de Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, sulfato e CTC efetiva sendo determinados nas camadas de 0-5, 5- 10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm. Observou-se que no PDS a maior concentração dos cátions e do sulfato ocorreu na camada de 0-5 cm, enquanto no PDR o sulfato se concentrou na de 20-40 cm. O maior rendimento de grãos de soja ocorreu no PDS, porém não houve influência das doses de gesso.The tilling of areas in no-tillage to several years and the use of gypsum practices are observed among the farmers in southwestern Goiás. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of gypsum rates (0, 1, 2, 4 e 6 Mg ha-1) on some chemical attributes in the soil's depth and in soybean yield in area under long-term no-till, with and without tillage. A complete randomized block scheme with a split-split-plot design with four replicates was used. The area has been conducted under no-till for several years in a dystrophic Clay Red-Yellow Latosol, in southwestern Goias, where calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphate contents and effective cation exchange capacity were determined in the 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm layers. A higher concentration of cations and sulphate was observed in the 0-5 cm layer under no-tillage without revolving while the no-tillage with revolving, the sulphate concentrated in the 20- 40 cm layer. Although soybean yields were higher under no-till without revolving they were not affected by gypsum rates.

Em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária, boa parte do suprimento de nutrientes para as pastagens provém das excreções dos animais, na forma de esterco e de urina, o que resulta em estímulo à atividade e ao acúmulo de nutrientes nas suas células. Este estudo foi desenvolvido num experimento de integração lavoura-pecuária em plantio direto, iniciado em 2001, e objetivou avaliar o impacto de diferentes intensidades de pastejo da pastagem de inverno (aveia-preta + azevém; 10, 20 e 40 cm, e um tratamento sem pastejo) sobre a atividade microbiana e sobre os teores e estoques de C, N e P na biomassa microbiana na camada de 0-10 cm de um Latossolo Vermelho, no Sul do Brasil, durante o ciclo da pastagem. Os teores e estoques dos nutrientes na biomassa e a atividade microbiana foram alterados pela intensidade de pastejo e pela época no ciclo da pastagem. Os teores de C e de P microbiano aumentaram do início da pastagem, em maio, até o período de grande produção de fitomassa, em setembro, após o qual decresceram, acompanhando o início de senescência da pastagem. Por sua vez, o N microbiano decresceu de maio para novembro, possivelmente devido à absorção desse nutriente pelas plantas. Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária em plantio direto mantêm a qualidade biológica do solo, sendo, sob adequada lotação animal, similar ao sistema plantio direto sem a entrada de animais. No entanto, sob alta intensidade de pastejo (10 cm) há perdas nessa qualidade do solo em condições de estresse hídrico.In integrated crop-livestock systems most of the nutrient supply for a pasture is provided by animal excretions, in the form of manure or urine, stimulating the activity and accumulation of nutrients in the cells. This study was carried out in an integrated crop-livestock system under no-tillage, initiated in 2001, with the objective of evaluating the impact of different winter grazing intensities (black oat + Italian ryegrass; 10, 20, and 40 cm, and a no-grazing control treatment) on microbial activity and on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration and stocks in microbial biomass in the 0-10 cm layer of an Oxisol (Latosol), in southern Brazil, during a grazing cycle. Biomass nutrient contents and stocks and microbial activity were affected by grazing intensities and by the season of the grazing cycle. Microbial carbon and phosphorus contents increased in the beginning of the grazing cycle in May until the period of high phytomass production in September, after which these contents decreased, following the pasture senescence. On the other hand, microbial nitrogen decreased from May to November, possibly as a result of plant uptake of soil N. Integrated crop-livestock systems under no-tillage maintain soil biological quality, and are, under adequate grazing intensity, similar to no-tillage systems without grazing influence. However, at high grazing intensities (10 cm) under water stress, this soil quality is negatively affected.

Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária têm um alto potencial de uso no sul do país, especialmente em áreas de soja sob plantio direto, com espécies de cobertura no inverno. A condução de sistemas de integração com diferentes intensidades de manejo da pastagem resultará, ao longo do tempo, em estoques de C orgânico (CO) e de N diferenciados, decorrentes do aporte diferenciado de resíduos. Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar a evolução dos estoques de CO e de N total (NT) e em frações físicas da matéria orgânica em solo submetido a diferentes intensidades de pastejo, em plantio direto. O experimento foi iniciado em 2001, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, após a colheita da soja. Os tratamentos constaram de alturas de manejo da pastagem (aveia-preta + azevém): 10, 20 e 40 cm, com bovinos jovens, e sem pastejo, seguido do cultivo de soja, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso. Amostras de solo foram retiradas no início do experimento (maio 2001), após três anos (maio de 2004) e após seis anos (maio de 2007), para a avaliação dos teores e dos estoques de CO e de NT. Intensidades de pastejo moderadas (20 e 40 cm de altura do pasto) promoveram aumento nos estoques de CO total, CO particulado, NT e N na matéria orgânica particulada no solo, semelhante ao plantio direto sem pastejo. Na alta intensidade de pastejo (10 cm), houve redução no estoque desses elementos, com degradação da qualidade da matéria orgânica.The potential for adopting crop-livestock systems in southern Brazil is high, especially in untilled soybean areas with cover crops in the winter season. The long-term use of this system at different grazing intensities will result in different carbon and nitrogen stocks in the soil due to the different plant and animal residues. This research was conducted to evaluate alterations in total carbon and nitrogen pools and in organic matter fractions in a soil under different grazing intensities under no-tillage. The experiment on a Rhodic Hapludult (Oxisol) was initiated in 2001, after soybean harvest. The treatments were different cattle grazing (black oat + ryegrass) pressures (10, 20 and 40 cm sward height) and an ungrazed treatment in the winter and soybean in the summer, in a randomized block design. Soil samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment (May, 2001), after three years (May, 2004) and after six years (May, 2007) to evaluate the content and stocks of organic carbon and nitrogen. Moderate grazing intensities (20 and 40 cm plant height) resulted in an increase of total carbon and nitrogen and in the organic matter particulate fraction, similarly to the ungrazed area. However, at the most intensive grazing pressure (10 cm plant height) there were losses in the stocks of these elements and reduction in soil organic matter quality.

O manejo do solo e da adubação potássica pode influenciar a distribuição de K e de raízes no solo, a absorção desse nutriente e o crescimento do milho. Com o objetivo de entender melhor essas inter-relações, foi realizado um experimento em um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico, há 18 anos, sob diferentes sistemas de manejo. Amostragens detalhadas do perfil do solo foram efetuadas no início da fase de enchimento de grãos de milho na safra 2006/07, nos seguintes tratamentos: preparo convencional (Con), com adubação potássica em linha (Lin), a lanço (Lan) e em faixa (Fx); sem preparo (Dir), com adubação em linha (Lin) e a lanço (Lan); e preparo em faixa (Fx), com adubação em faixa (Fx). Independente do manejo do solo e da adubação, o K formou gradientes a partir da superfície do solo e em torno do colmo do milho. Os gradientes, no entanto, foram diferenciados em relação ao manejo do solo, concentrando-se mais na superfície em plantio direto, independente do modo de adubação. As raízes de milho se concentraram na camada superficial do solo, com maior crescimento em plantio direto. A absorção de K e o crescimento do milho não foram associados à distribuição desse nutriente e de raízes no solo. A eficiência de utilização de K pelas plantas foi favorecida pela aplicação do adubo potássico a lanço, independente do preparo do solo.Soil tillage systems can greatly influence potassium and root distribution in the soil and, as a result, affect corn growth and development. To improve the understanding of these interrelationships, a soil was analyzed after 18 years of cultivation under different management systems. A detailed soil sampling was carried out in a clayey Red Argisol (Udult) profile in the beginning of the grain filling stage of corn in the 2006/07 growing season. The experimental design consisted of a completely randomized scheme with two replicates, with the following treatments: conventional tillage (Con) and no-tillage (Dir) with potassium fertilization: along the rows (Fx), broadcast (Lan) and in stripes (Lin). Independently of the soil and fertilizer management, potassium formed gradients from the soil surface downwards and around the corn plant stem. The gradients, however, differed according to the soil management; concentrations were higher at the surface under no-tillage, regardless of the fertilization method. Maize roots were concentrated predominantly in the soil surface layer, with greater growth in no-tillage. Potassium uptake and maize growth were not associated with K distribution in soil and roots. The efficiency of K use by plants was increased by the broadcast application of potassium fertilizer, regardless of the tillage system.

À medida que o conhecimento do sistema plantio direto se amplia, verifica-se que o uso de indicadores químicos isolados não permite melhor caracterização dos solos, sendo necessário utilizar um conjunto de indicadores da qualidade do solo com a entrada de outros atributos, entre eles os físicos e os biológicos. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de sistemas de manejo e uso do solo nos atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico e um Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico sob Cerrado, no entorno do Parque Nacional das Emas. Os aspectos avaliados no Latossolo foram: Cerrado nativo, pastagem, milheto em preparo convencional, nabo forrageiro em plantio direto e sorgo em plantio direto. No Neossolo: Cerrado nativo, pastagem nativa, integração agricultura-pecuária, pastagem cultivada, plantio direto com soja no verão e plantio direto com milho no verão. As amostras de solo foram coletadas na profundidade de 0 a 10 cm. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco parcelas de 150 m², sendo coletadas 10 subamostras aleatórias. As análises químicas, físicas e biológicas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Solos da UFG/CJ. Os manejos promoveram alterações na densidade do solo, volume total de poros, macroporos e resistência do solo à penetração no Neossolo e no Latossolo, excetuando-se neste o volume total de poros. Houve pequena variação nos atributos químicos nos dois solos, com o Cerrado apresentando maior acidez potencial e menor teor de cátions trocáveis e P. Os atributos biológicos do solo foram alterados pelos sistemas de manejo, sendo mais prejudicados em sistemas com maior revolvimento do solo. A análise canônica dos dados demonstrou que os atributos físicos foram os de menor importância por apresentar maior coeficiente de ponderação nas variáveis canônicas. Os atributos do solo, isoladamente, pouco contribuíram para a avaliação da qualidade do solo: no entanto, quando se usou a análise multivariada, subsidiaram a constatação dos manejos do solo mais sustentáveis.As knowledge on no-till system expands, it has become quite clear that separate chemical indicators cannot provide a detailed soil characterization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tillage systems and soil use in the physical, chemical and biological properties of a clayey dystrophic Red Latosol - Oxisol and a sandy Neosol - Entisol. The treatments for the Oxisol consisted of: native savanna, pasture, conventional tillage, no-tillage with turnip and with forage sorghum as cover crop. For the Entisol: native savanna, native pasture, integrated crop-livestock, cultivated pasture, no-tillage with soybean and corn in the summer. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-10 cm, in a clayey dystrophic Red Latosol - Oxisol and a sandy Neosol - Entisol in a savanna ecosystem, near the Parque Nacional das Emas. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in 5 plots of 150m², where 10 sub-samples were collected randomly. Chemical, physical and biological analyses were carried out at a soil laboratory. In the Entisol, tillage influenced the soil density, total pore volume, macroporosity and penetration resistance. In the Oxisol, tillage induced variations in soil bulk density, macroporosity and penetration resistance. Small variations in chemical properties were observed in both soils, with higher potential acidity and lower exchangeable cation and phosphorus concentrations. The soil biological properties were influenced by tillage, and were most affected in systems with more anthropic action. In the canonical data analysis the greater weighting coefficient of the physical properties in the canonic variables demonstrated that these were the least important. The contribution of the separate soil properties to evaluate soil quality was minor, but the most sustainable management systems could be defined by multivariate analysis.

Espécies vegetais com alta produção de fitomassa são de fundamentalimportância para o desenvolvimento sustentável do plantio direto no cerrado. Objetivou-se avaliar a produção de fitomassa e o acúmulo de nitrogênio em 17 espécies vegetais em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico da região do Cerrado. O trabalho foi realizado no campoexperimental da Universidade Federal de Goiás, localizado no Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas no Campus de Jataí – Estado de Goiás. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram utilizadas as espécies: Aveia pretacomum, Aveia preta IAPAR61, Braquiaria brizantha, Braquiaria decumbens, Capim-pé-degalinha, Milheto BN2, Milheto BRS 1501, Milheto MT, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria juncea, Guandu normal, Guandu super N, Girassol selvagem, Kenaf 1, Kenaf 2, Nabo forrageiro e Niger. O milheto BRS 1501 obteve a maior fitomassa entre as gramíneas, a C. spectabilis, entre as leguminosas e o nabo forrageiro, entre as outras famílias. O milheto BRS1501, C. spectabilis e nabo forrageiro também obtiveram o maior acúmulo de N na parte aérea. As espécies nabo forrageiro, kenaf 1 e milheto BRS 1501 são as mais recomendadas como cobertura do solo para a região do cerrado goiano.Plant species that have high biomass production are of fundamentalimportance to the sustainable development of no-tillage systems in the cerrado region. This experiment had the objective of evaluating the biomass production and nitrogen accumulation in 17 plant species in a Oxisol of the cerrado region. This experiment was conducted in an experimental field of the Federal University of Goiás, located in the Agricultural and Biological Cientific Center of Jataí - State of Goiás. The experimental layout was a randomized block with 5 replicates. The following species were used: two species of Avena strigosa, Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria decumbens, Eleusine indica, three species of Pennicetum americanum, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria juncea, two species of Cajanus cajan,Helianthus sp (savage), two species of Hibiscus cannabinus, Raphanus sativus and Guizotia abyssinica. Among the grasses, BRS 1501 millet presented the highest biomass production; among the legumes C. spectablis showed the same behavior; and Raphanus sativus for theother families. These three species also presented higher values for N accumulation in the shoots. The species Raphanus sativus, Hibiscus cannabinus 1 and BRS 1501 millet are the ones recommended for cover crops in cerrado soils in the Goiás cerrado region.

Sistemas de integração agricultura-pecuária têm despertado maior interesse de pesquisadores nos últimos anos por proporcionarem maior estabilidade e sustentabilidade à produção agropecuária, em relação ao modelo de produção mais especializado atualmente predominante. Um dos indicadores desta estabilidade e sustentabilidade que vem sendo utilizado é o teor de C do solo. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar os estoques nas frações do C orgânico total e P da biomassa microbiana de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, sob sistema de integração agricultura-pecuária, em plantio direto submetido a diferentes intensidades de pastejo, no inverno, por seis anos. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em novembro de 2006, em área experimental sob sistema de integração instalado em maio de 2001. Anteriormente, a área, localizada no município de São Miguel das Missões - RS, vinha sendo cultivada há 10 anos sob sistema plantio direto. O delineamento foi o de blocos completos ao acaso com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram intensidades de pastejo de 10, 20 e 40 cm de altura do pasto aplicadas no ciclo da pastagem, durante o período hibernal, em uma pastagem constituída por aveia e azevém, além de uma área testemunha sem pastejo. Foram determinados os estoques de C orgânico total e particulado, os teores de P e C da biomassa microbiana, bem como a atividade da biomassa microbiana. Os estoques de C orgânico total não foram influenciados pelas intensidades de pastejo, porém os estoques de C orgânico particulado foram menores na área com maior intensidade de pastejo. Neste tratamento, o estímulo à biomassa microbiana e ao crescimento radicular foram maiores. O teor de P da biomassa aumentou com a diminuição da intensidade de pastejo, ocorrendo o inverso com a biomassa microbiana. O C orgânico particulado foi o atributo mais sensível em demonstrar variações no C orgânico do solo sob as condições de manejo da pastagem adotadas.Integrated crop-livestock systems have attracted more interest in the last few years due to their capacity of improving stability and sustainability of agricultural systems as compared to more specialized production systems. Soil organic carbon content has been used as an indicator of soil sustainability and stability. In this sense, this study aimed to measure the stocks of total organic carbon fractions and phosphorus in the microbial biomass in a Rhodic Hapludox (Oxisol) under integrated crop-livestock system with different grazing intensities in the winter. Soil samples were collected in November 2006 in São Miguel das Missões, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental area had been cultivated under no-tillage for 10 years before implementing the integrated system in 2001. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with three replicates. The treatments consisted of grazing intensities represented by sward heights of 10, 20 and 40 cm during the pasture cycle in winter. This pasture was composed of a black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) mix, and a control area with no grazing. Total and particulate organic matter (POM) carbon stocks, phosphorus and carbon content in the microbial biomass, as well as microbial biomass activity were evaluated. The total organic stocks carbon were not affected by grazing intensities; however, the stocks of POM carbon were smaller in soils under the highest grazing intensity. The microbial biomass was stimulated at the highest grazing intensity, in which greater root growth was observed. The phosphorus content in the microbial biomass increased linearly with the decrease of the grazing intensity, while an inverse pattern was observed for the microbial biomass. Particulate organic matter carbon was more sensitive to changes in soil organic carbon under the experimental pasture management.

Atributos indicadores da qualidade dos solos são de difícil avaliação, pois não se tem parâmetros adequados para a comparação destes resultados. Com isso busca-se estabelecer atributos que sejam sensíveis ao manejo dos solos e que possam ser utilizados como indicadores de qualidade dos solos. O estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes sistemas e usos do solo sobre as frações do carbono orgânico, biomassa e atividade microbiana em um Latossolo Vermelho de cerrado. O carbono da fração leve (CFL) foi maior na área sob cerrado, com as demais áreas sendo semelhantes. A biomassa microbiana (BM) foi severamente afetada pelo manejo do solo, assim como o quociente metabólico. Houve perdas na qualidade do solo, com acentuada perda da biomassa microbiana. A biomassa microbiana, o quociente metabólico, a relação CFL/COT e a relação BM/COT, podem serutilizados como indicadores da qualidade do solo, mostrando interferências antrópicas no solo no curto prazo. A área sob pastagem sofreu a maior redução no estoque de carbono e a área sob sorgo em plantio direto a menor perda.Attributes linked to soil quality are very difficult to evaluate, because there are not adequate parameters to compare the obtained results. For this reason, researchers try to establish parameters thatwould be sensitive to soil management and that would be used as soil quality indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different soil and crop management systems on organic carbon fractions, biomass and microbial activity in a Rhodic Haludox (oxisol) from the Brazilian Cerrados. The light carbon fraction (LCF) was higher in the native cerrado area, comparing to the cropping and tillage systems. Microbial biomass (MB) and metabolic quotient severely decreased by the management treatments. The microbial biomass, the metabolic quotient, the rate LOC/TOC and the rate MB/TOC can be used as indicators of soil quality, which are sensitive to anthropic interferences in the soil in short term. Area under pasture has higher reduction in the pool of carbon and the area with sorghum under no-tillage has smaller carbon loss.

O conhecimento das frações do carbono orgânico do solo pode contribuir para inferir sobre o melhor manejo utilizado nos solos. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes usos do solo nos compartimentos do carbono no solo como o carbono orgânicototal, carbono da fração leve e pesada, carbono da biomassa e respiração microbiana do solo em um Neossolo Quartzarênico sob cerrado. O carbono orgânico total não foi influenciado pelo manejo do solo. Já o carbono da fração leve, carbono da biomassa microbiana e atividade microbiana foram diferentes entre os usos do solo. O carbono da fração pesada mostrou-se muito estável no solo em todas as áreas avaliadas. O carbono da fração leve e o carbono da biomassa microbiana podem ser utilizados como indicadores de qualidade do solo em curto prazo. A área, sob cerrado nativo, apresentou os maiores teores de carbono da fração leve e, consequentemente, maior atividade microbiana. The knowledge of soil organic carbon fractions can contribute to infer about the best soil management. This paper aimed to measure the effect of different soil managements on total organic carbon, light and heavy carbon fractions, microbial biomass and respiration in a Typic Quartzipisamment under Brazilian cerrados. Organic carbon was not influenced by soil management. However, the light fraction ofcarbon, microbial biomass and activity was different among crop systems. The heavy carbon fraction was very stable under the soil and crop systems used. Carbon of the light fraction and of microbial biomass can be used as indicators of soil quality in short term. Area under native cerrado showed higher carbon content in the low fraction and consequently higher microbial activity.

A incorporação de áreas nativas aos sistemas produtivos tem provocado alterações em ecossistemas, especialmente em regiões tropicais e, devido ao uso inadequado do solo, tem resultado na rápida perda do carbono orgânico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto de sistemas de manejo e uso do solo sobre a biomassa e a atividade microbiana, assim como o estoque de carbono orgânico total e suas frações em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico e um Neossolo Quartzarênico de Cerrado. Os sistemas de manejo e uso no Neossolo Quartzarênico foram: Cerrado nativo, integração lavoura-pecuária, pastagem, plantio direto 1 (soja/braquiária) e plantio direto 2 (milho/braquiária). No Latossolo Vermelho os sistemas foram: Cerrado nativo, integração lavoura-pecuária, plantio convencional, plantio direto 3 (soja/nabo/milho/nabo) e plantio direto 4 (soja/milho/sorgo/soja). Para ambos os solos avaliados, o sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária promoveu melhorias nos teores de carbono da biomassa microbiana e nos estoques de carbono do solo. No Neossolo Quartzarênico, os sistemas de plantio direto não foram capazes de promover incrementos no carbono da biomassa microbiana, na atividade da urease, na hidrólise do diacetato de fluoresceína e no estoque do carbono da fração leve. No Latossolo Vermelho, o sistema de plantio convencional promoveu redução no estoque de carbono orgânico total e no carbono da fração leve livre do solo. Além disso, os sistemas conservacionistas desse solo, apesar de incrementarem o estoque de carbono orgânico do solo, promoveram perdas de carbono da fração leve em relação ao Cerrado nativo.

The sowing season has great influence on the establishment of forage, as spreading seeds out of season tends to harm productivity. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate sowing seasons, production and bromatological quality of Brachiaria forage species in Mineiros-GO. The experiment was held at IPAF/FIMES, in a typical Quartzarenic Neosol. The experimental treatments consisted of five sowing dates and five cultivars/species of forage grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) cv. Marandú, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés, Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato, Brachiaria decumbens Stapfe and Brachiaria ruziziensis). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with sub-plots, with four replications, each block represented by a sowing date. Dry matter production was higher in the first and second sowing dates. Cultivar Mulato achieved the highest productivity among the assessed cultivars. The sowing season and cultivars influenced the levels of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. It is concluded that a marked decrease occurs in dry matter production and bromatological quality of Brachiaria species when the sowing is done after mid-March.

Espécies vegetais com alta produção de fitomassa são de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento sustentável do plantio direto no cerrado. Objetivou-se avaliar a produção de fitomassa e o acúmulo de nitrogênio em 17 espécies vegetais em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico da região do Cerrado. O trabalho foi realizado no campo experimental da Universidade Federal de Goiás, localizado no Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas no Campus de Jataí – Estado de Goiás. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram utilizadas as espécies: Aveia preta comum, Aveia preta IAPAR61, Braquiaria brizantha, Braquiaria decumbens, Capim-pé-de-galinha, Milheto BN2, Milheto BRS 1501, Milheto MT, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria juncea, Guandu normal, Guandu super N, Girassol selvagem, Kenaf 1, Kenaf 2, Nabo forrageiro e Niger. O milheto BRS 1501 obteve a maior fitomassa entre as gramíneas, a C. spectabilis, entre as leguminosas e o nabo forrageiro, entre as outras famílias. O milheto BRS 1501, C. spectabilis e nabo forrageiro também obtiveram o maior acúmulo de N na parte aérea. As espécies nabo forrageiro, kenaf 1 e milheto BRS 1501 são as mais recomendadas como cobertura do solo para a região do cerrado goiano.

O conhecimento das frações do carbono orgânico do solo pode contribuir para inferir sobre o melhor manejo utilizado nos solos. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes usos do solo nos compartimentos do carbono no solo como o carbono orgânico total, carbono da fração leve e pesada, carbono da biomassa e respiração microbiana do solo em um Neossolo Quartzarênico sob cerrado. O carbono orgânico total não foi influenciado pelo manejo do solo. Já o carbono da fração leve, carbono da biomassa microbiana e atividade microbiana foram diferentes entre os usos do solo. O carbono da fração pesada mostrou-se muito estável no solo em todas as áreas avaliadas. O carbono da fração leve e o carbono da biomassa microbiana podem ser utilizados como indicadores de qualidade do solo em curto prazo. A área, sob cerrado nativo, apresentou os maiores teores de carbono da fração leve e, consequentemente, maior atividade microbiana.

Atributos indicadores da qualidade dos solos são de difícil avaliação, pois não se tem parâmetros adequados para a comparação destes resultados. Com isso busca-se estabelecer atributos que sejam sensíveis ao manejo dos solos e que possam ser utilizados como indicadores de qualidade dos solos. O estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes sistemas e usos do solo sobre as frações do carbono orgânico, biomassa e atividade microbiana em um Latossolo Vermelho de cerrado. O carbono da fração leve (CFL) foi maior na área sob cerrado, com as demais áreas sendo semelhantes. A biomassa microbiana (BM) foi severamente afetada pelo manejo do solo, assim como o quociente metabólico. Houve perdas na qualidade do solo, com acentuada perda da biomassa microbiana. A biomassa microbiana, o quociente metabólico, a relação CFL/COT e a relação BM/COT, podem ser utilizados como indicadores da qualidade do solo, mostrando interferências antrópicas no solo no curto prazo. A área sob pastagem sofreu a maior redução no estoque de carbono e a área sob sorgo em plantio direto a menor perda.

ABSTRACT The implementation of conservationist systems that improve soil properties and reduce the impacts of the conversion of native areas is fundamental for feasible agricultural exploitation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact on soil biological properties caused by the conversion of murundus fields into agricultural systems and verify the ability of the no-tillage conservation system to recover these properties over the years. Treatments consisted of three agricultural areas subjected to the same management (no-tillage), in a chronosequence (7, 11, and 14 years of conversion) and a reference area (murundus field). To evaluate soil quality, we analyzed total soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, metabolic and microbial quotients, and acid phosphatase activities, as well as the potential functionality of soil bacterial communities and the modifications in their genetic structure. The conversion of murundus field into agricultural systems negatively impacted soil biological properties, with expressive reduction in soil organic carbon content and microbial biomass carbon. The periods of adoption of the conservationist system (no-tillage) were not enough to recover the biological properties and/or to reverse the changes observed in the genetic structure of the soil bacterial communities of the managed areas, although stabilization trends were observed in the agricultural systems over the years.