A study on nickel application methods for optimizing soybean growth.

Fertilization with nickel (Ni) can positively affect plant development due to the role of this micronutrient in nitrogen (N) metabolism, namely, through urease and NiFe-hydrogenase. Although the application of Ni is an emerging practice in modern agriculture, its effectiveness strongly depends on the chosen application method, making further research in this area essential. The individual and combined effects of different Ni application methods-seed treatment, leaf spraying and/or soil fertilization-were investigated in soybean plants under different edaphoclimatic conditions (field and greenhouse). Beneficial effects of the Soil, Soil + Leaf and Seed + Leaf treatments were observed, with gains of 7 to 20% in biological nitrogen fixation, 1.5-fold in ureides, 14% in shoot dry weight and yield increases of up to 1161 kg ha-1. All the Ni application methods resulted in a 1.1-fold increase in the SPAD index, a 1.2-fold increase in photosynthesis, a 1.4-fold increase in nitrogenase, and a 3.9-fold increase in urease activity. Edaphoclimatic conditions exerted a significant influence on the treatments. The integrated approaches, namely, leaf application in conjunction with soil or seed fertilization, were more effective for enhancing yield in soybean cultivation systems. The determination of the ideal method is crucial for ensuring optimal absorption and utilization of this micronutrient and thus a feasible and sustainable management technology. Further research is warranted to establish official guidelines for the application of Ni in agricultural practices.

The synergistic effects of soil-applied boron and foliar-applied silicon on cotton fiber quality and yield.

Studies of boron (B) and silicon (Si) synergy in cotton crops have shown promising results; however, the focus was on the foliar application of B and Si. Nonetheless, B is an element with little mobility in the plant and its best form of application is in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of soil applied B and foliar applied sSi on fiber quality and crop yield of cotton. For this purpose, a field experiment was carried out using cotton cultivar FM 985 GLTP. The soil's B in the experimental site is classified as low for cotton cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete-block design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with three doses of B: 0.0 kg ha-1 (deficiency), 2.0 kg ha-1 (recommended dose), and 4.0 kg ha-1 (high dose) in the absence and presence (920 g L-1) of Si, with four replications. One week after the 4th application of Si, B and Si leaf content was determined. At boll opening, crop yield was estimated, and fiber quality analysis was realized. Boron deficiency reduced cotton yield, in 11 and 9%, compared to the application of 2 and 4 kg ha-1 of B, respectively. The presence of Si, however, increased plant yield in 5% in the treatments with 0 and 2 kg ha-1 of B, respectively. Cotton fiber length and elongation were not influenced by the B doses and Si presence. Fiber breaking strength was increased in 5% by the presence of Si and was not influenced by B deficiency. Micronaire was 8% smaller in the treatment with 0 kg ha-1 of B and 6% smaller in the absence of Si. Short fiber index was 4% greater in the plants of the treatment with 0 kg ha-1 of B. The results of this study reports that the complementation with Si via foliar application increases fiber quality by enhance breaking strength and micronaire. In conclusion, the interaction between soil-applied B and foliar-applied Si is beneficial for cotton cultivation, resulting in high cotton yield with better fiber quality.

Silicon mitigates nutritional stress in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

Nutritional deficiency is common in several regions of quinoa cultivation. Silicon (Si) can attenuate the stress caused by nutritional deficiency, but studies on the effects of Si supply on quinoa plants are still scarce. Given this scenario, our objective was to evaluate the symptoms in terms of tissue, physiological and nutritional effects of quinoa plants submitted to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies under Si presence. The experiment consisted of a factorial scheme 6 × 2, using a complete solution (CS), -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg combined with absence and presence of Si (1.5 mmol L-1). Symptomatic, physiological, nutritional and evaluation vegetative were performed in quinoa crop. The deficiencies of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in quinoa cultivation caused visual symptoms characteristic of the deficiency caused by respective nutrients, hence decreasing the plant dry mass. However, Si supply attenuated the deficiency effects by preserving the photosynthetic apparatus, increasing the chlorophyll production, increasing the membrane integrity, and decreasing the electrolyte leakage. Thus, the Si supply attenuated the visual effects provided by deficiency of all nutrients, but stood out for N and Ca, because it reflected in a higher dry mass production. This occurred because, the Si promoted higher synthesis and protection of chlorophylls, and lower electrolyte leakage under Ca restriction, as well as decreased electrolyte leakage under N restriction.

Cover crops, lime and gypsum influence on soil physical attributes

Cover crops promote nutrient cycling, and lime and gypsum can alter the soil physical attributes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lime and gypsum rates applied to a no-tillage system with addition of residues of three cover crops on the soil physical attributes. This experiment was carried out in chapadão do sul-ms. The treatments were comprised of three cover crops (Urochloa ruziziensis, fallow, and Pennisetum glaucum), with gypsum (0, 2.3 and 4.6 Mg ha-1) and lime applied at a dose of 0, 2, 4, 6 Mg ha-1).The attributes evaluated were: soil density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and penetration resistance. The soil of the experiment was classified an Oxisol. Cover crops and lime and gypsum improved macroporosity, microporosity and total porosity at all depths, 0-0.2 m. Millet presented lower values for penetration resistance with the lime application and without gypsum application. No residual effect on soil density was detected for lime and gypsum application or cover crops in the 0.1-0.2 m layer. Brazilian Cerrado producers will have a well-defined management system to follow aiming at improving the soil physical attributes.

Relationship between vegetation indices and agronomic performance of maize varieties under different nitrogen rates / Relação entre índices de vegetação e desempenho agronômico de variedades de milho sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio

Precision agriculture is a set of techniques that assist the monitoring of the agronomic performance of the maize crop by using vegetation indices. This study aimed to verify the relationship between vegetation indices, plant height, leaf N content, and grain yield of three maize varieties, grown under high and low N as topdressing. The experiment was carried out at the Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão (Fundação Chapadão), located in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul, during the 2017/2018 season. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design with four replications, arranged in a 3x2 split-plot scheme. The first factor (plots) corresponded to three open-pollinated maize varieties (BRS 4103, BRS Gorotuba, and SCS 154), and the second factor (subplots) consisted of two N rates applied as topdressing (80 and 160 kg- 1). All the evaluated variables showed varieties x N interaction. Vegetation indices in maize varieties were influenced by the N rate applied as topdressing. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil-adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) showed a higher correlation with plant height. At the same time, Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) had a stronger association with leaf N content.

A agricultura de precisão é um conjunto de técnicas que auxiliam no monitoramento do desempenho agronômico da cultura do milho utilizando índices de vegetação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre índices de vegetação, altura de planta, teor de N foliar e rendimento de grãos de três variedades de milho, cultivadas sob alto e baixo N, em cobertura. O experimento foi realizado na Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão, localizada no município de Chapadão do Sul, na safra 2017/2018. O experimento consistiu de um delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 3x2. O primeiro fator (parcelas) correspondeu a três variedades de milho de polinização aberta (BRS 4103, BRS Gorotuba e SCS 154), e o segundo fator (subparcelas) consistiu de duas doses de N aplicadas como cobertura (80 e 160 kg-1). Todas as variáveis avaliadas apresentaram interação variedades x N. Os índices de vegetação nas variedades de milho foram influenciados pela dose de N aplicada como cobertura. Os índices NDVI e SAVI mostraram uma maior correlação com a altura da planta, enquanto o NDRE apresentou uma associação mais forte com o conteúdo de N foliar.

Understanding the combining ability for physiological traits in soybean.

Photosynthetic efficiency has become the target of several breeding programs since the positive correlation between photosynthetic rate and yield in soybean suggests that the improvement of photosynthetic efficiency may be a promising target for new yield gains. However, studies on combining ability of soybean genotypes for physiological traits are still scarce in the literature. The objective of this study was to estimate the combining ability of soybean genotypes based on F2 generation aiming to identify superior parents and segregating populations for physiological traits. Twenty-eight F2 populations resulting from partial diallel crossings between eleven lines were evaluated in two crop seasons for the physiological traits: photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and transpiration. General combining ability (GCA) of the parents and specific combining ability (SCA) of the F2 populations were estimated. Our findings reveal the predominance of additive effects in controlling the traits. The genotype TMG 7062 IPRO is the most promising parent for programs aiming at photosynthetic efficiency. We have also identified other promising parents and proposed cross-breeding with higher potential for obtaining superior lines for photosynthetic efficiency.

Studying the link between physiological performance of Crotalaria ochroleuca and the distribution of Ca, P, K and S in seeds with X-ray fluorescence.

This study describes the use of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in Crotalaria ochroleuca seed technology. This work evaluated X-ray fluorescence techniques to estimate the physiological performance of different C. ochroleuca seed coat colours based on the concentration and distribution of Ca, P, K, and S in seed structures. The treatments consisted of seeds separated by coat colours (yellow, green, and red) and a control treatment (colour mix according to their natural occurrence in commercial lots), and was carried out in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The physiological performance was evaluated by analyzing the water content, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, electrical conductivity, seedling emergence, and seedling length and dry mass. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy techniques were carried out with quantitative analyses (Ca, P, K, and S concentration in the seed coat and the whole seed) and qualitative analyses (macronutrient mapping). The EDXRF and µ-XRF techniques are efficient and promising to differentiate the physiological performance of C. ochroleuca seeds, based on the concentration and distribution of Ca, P, K, and S in different structures. Ca is predominant in the seed coat, and K, S, and P are found throughout the embryonic axis. Seeds of yellow and green coats have higher nutrients concentration and distribution in the embryonic axis, revealing high germinative capacity and physiological performance. Seeds of red coat have higher nutrients concentration in the seed coat and lower assimilation, showing less vigour, which interferes directly in the quality of commercial lots.

Response of Sugarcane in a Red Ultisol to Phosphorus Rates, Phosphorus Sources, and Filter Cake.

We evaluated the effect of phosphorus application rates from various sources and in the presence or absence of filter cake on soil phosphorus, plant phosphorus, changes in acid phosphatase activity, and sugarcane productivity grown in Eutrophic Red Ultisol. Three P sources were used (triple superphosphate, Araxa rock phosphate, and Bayovar rock phosphate) and four application rates (0, 90, 180, and 360 kg ha(-1) of P2O5) in the presence or absence of filter cake (7.5 t ha(-1), dry basis). The soil P, the accumulated plant P, the leaf acid phosphatase activity and straw, the stalk productivity, the concentration of soluble solids in the juice (Brix), the juice sucrose content (Pol), and the purity were the parameters evaluated. We found that P applications increased levels of soil, leaf, and juice phosphorus and led to higher phosphorus accumulation and greater stalk and straw productivity. These levels were highest in the presence of filter cake. Acid phosphatase activity decreased with increasing plant phosphorus concentration. Phosphate fertilization did not show effect on sugarcane technological quality. We concluded that P application, regardless of source, improved phosphorus nutrition and increased productivity in sugarcane and, when associated with filter cake, reduced the need for mineral fertilizer.