Macro and Micro-Nutrient Accumulation and Partitioning in Soybean Affected by Water and Nitrogen Supply.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of water availability and nitrogen fertilization on plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and variables related to soybean crop yield. Trials were performed in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, using randomized blocks in a split-split plot arrangement. The plots corresponded to water regimes (full and deficient), the split plots to N fertilization (0 and 1000 kg ha-1 N-urea), and the split-split plots to harvest times of soybean plants (16, 23, 30, 37, 44, 58, 65, 79 and 86 days after emergence), with three replicates. In general, the accumulation and partitioning of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) were decreased in plants subjected to water deficit and without N fertilization. Although nitrogen fertilization promoted elevated N accumulation in tissues, it did not result in any significant yield gain, and the highest seed yields were found in plants under full irrigation, regardless of N supplementation. However, deficient irrigation decreased the seed oil content of N-fertilized plants. In conclusion, N fertilization is critical for nutrient homeostasis, and water availability impairs biomass and nutrient accumulation, thereby limiting soybean yield performance.

Soybean injury caused by the application of subdoses of 2,4-D or dicamba, in simulated drift.

2,4-D or dicamba can cause injuries and other deleterious effects on non-tolerant soybeans. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the potential for injury of subdoses of 2,4-D or dicamba, in drift simulation, for application in non-tolerant soybeans. Two experiments were carried out, one with 2,4-D and the other with dicamba. The treatments consisted of the application, in post-emergence of non-tolerant soybean, of subdoses 0; 1.35; 2.68; 5.37; 10.72; 21.45 and 42.9 g acid equivalent (ae) ha-1 2,4-D choline salt or dicamba diglycolamine (DGA) salt. Injury symptoms in plants, plant height and yield were evaluated, and the results were subjected to regression analysis. Polynomial fit was possible for the doses of both herbicides, with deleterious effects on soybean, with reductions in height and yield. The application of 2,4-D ≥ 10.72 g ae ha-1 was enough to cause injuries greater than 10% in plants, in simulated drift. The application of dicamba ≥1.35 g ae ha-1 was enough to cause injuries greater than 30% in plants, in simulated drift. For both herbicides, greater potential for injury and reductions in soybean yield were observed for the application of the highest doses (21.45 and 42.9 g ae ha-1).

Sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis [Retz.] E. Walker) control in soybean with combinations of burndown and preemergence herbicides applied in the off-season

Sumatran fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis [Retz.] E. Walker) can be found in many different agricultural environments and impact different crops, such as soybeans and corn. It is believed that the application of burndown and preemergence herbicides in the off-season are effective in controlling Sumatran fleabane in soybean crops. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of burndown and preemergence herbicides in the off-season, with one or two applications, in the control of Sumatran fleabane in soybean cultivation. Five field experiments were conducted in Maripá, state of Paraná (PR), Brazil. The treatments consisted of the application of burndown herbicides in combinations with preemergence ones, with one or two applications. Control of Sumatran fleabane and soybean yield were evaluated. With the set of experiments, it is highlighted that the strategy combining more applications, with different herbicides, burndown and preemergence, is more promising in the control of Sumatran fleabane. When comparing synthetic auxins, dicamba and triclopyr stand out. For sequential application, worse performance was observed for diquat. Combinations between burndown and preemergence herbicides were effective in controlling Sumatran fleabane, for pre sowing application in soybean. With emphasis on managements with sequential applications of saflufenacil with glufosinate or glyphosate. The strategy combining more applications, with different herbicides, burndown and preemergence herbicides, is more promising in the control of Sumatran fleabane.

Benchmarking of drought and climate indices for agricultural drought monitoring in Argentina.

Site-specific studies are required to identify suitable drought indices (DIs) for assessing and predicting drought-related impacts. This study presents a benchmark of eight DIs and 19 large-scale climate indices (CIs) to monitor agricultural drought in Argentina. First, the link between the CIs and DIs was investigated at the departmental-administrative level and at different temporal scales. Then, the effectiveness of the DIs in explaining the variability of crop yields, understood as impacts of agricultural droughts, was evaluated using statistical regression models. Soybeans were used as the reference crop. Additionally, the performances of DIs and CIs in explaining the variability of crop yields were compared. The CIs located in the Pacific Ocean (El Niño 3.4 and El Niño 4) were found to have the best correlations with the DIs (R values up to 0.49). These relationships were stronger with longer temporal aggregations and during the wet and hot seasons (summer), showing a significant role in the triggering of droughts in Argentina. The DIs that best corelated with CIs were those that included temperature in their calculations (STCI, SVHI, and SPEI). The impacts of droughts on soybean production were better explained using DIs than with CIs (up to 89% vs 8% of variability explained) as predictors of the statistical models. SVHI-6 and SPEI-6, depending on the area of interest, were, during the phenological period of crop growth (summer), the most effective DIs in explaining annual variations in soybean yields. The results may be of interest in water resource management, drought risk management, and the Argentinean soybean production sector. Furthermore, they provide a foundation for future studies aimed at forecasting agricultural droughts and their impacts.

Growth and yield performance of soybean with the application of Bradyrhyzobium inoculant via furrow and seed / Crescimento e desempenho produtivo de plantas de soja em função da aplicação de inoculante via sulco e em semente

Given the high costs of agricultural production, especially due to the price of fertilisers, particularly nitrogen, the use of inoculants to supply nitrogen to soybean crops is a widely recommended practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying inoculants through seed and planting furrow in soil previously cultivated with soybean and Brazilian native cerrado biome soil under greenhouse conditions. Seven treatments were tested: 1) inoculation via seed (inoculant + fungicide + micronutrient), 2) treatment via seed (fungicide + micronutrient), 3) control (only seed), 4) inoculation via furrow-dose 1 (recommended dose), 5) inoculation via furrow-dose 2 (twice the recommended dose), 6) inoculation via furrow-dose 3 (three times the recommended dose) and 7) inoculation via furrow-dose 1 + seed inoculation. We evaluated plant height, fresh and dry matter weight of the aerial part and nodules, number of total, viable and non-viable nodules, number of pods per plant and grain yield. Inoculation was more effective when used in cerrado soil, but soybean performance in treatments without inoculation was higher in previously cultivated soil. Application through furrow proved to be a viable practice due to the similarity of the results obtained with the traditional application by seed.(AU)

Diante dos custos da produção agrícola, consideravelmente elevados em função do preço dos fertilizantes e, particularmente, os nitrogenados, o uso de inoculantes, visando fornecimento de nitrogênio para a cultura da soja, tem sido uma tecnologia frequentemente recomendada para viabilizar a produção. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a viabilidade da aplicação de inoculantes via semente e sulco de semeadura, em solo já cultivado e em solo de cerrado nativo com a cultura da soja. O ensaio foi realizado em casa-de-vegetação, utilizando solo de cerrado, sem cultivo anterior, e solo com histórico de cultivo de soja. Foram testados sete tratamentos: 1) inoculação via semente (inoculante + fungicida + micronutriente), 2) tratamento via semente (fungicida + micronutriente), 3) testemunha (semente pura, sem tratamento), 4) via sulco-dose1 (dose recomendada), 5) sulco-dose2 (duas vezes a dose recomendada), 6) sulco-dose3 (três vezes a dose recomendada), e 7) sulco-dose1+ inoculação via semente. Foram avaliados altura de plantas; massa de matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e nódulos; número de nódulos totais, viáveis e não-viáveis; número de vagens por planta e rendimento de grãos. A inoculação foi mais efetiva no incremento das variáveis analisadas quando utilizada no solo de cerrado, e o desempenho da soja nos tratamentos que não receberam inoculação foi melhor no solo já cultivado. A aplicação via sulco mostrou-se uma prática viável em razão da semelhança dos resultados obtidos com a aplicação tradicional, via semente.(AU)

Growth and yield performance of soybean with the application of Bradyrhyzobium inoculant via furrow and seed / Crescimento e desempenho produtivo de plantas de soja em função da aplicação de inoculante via sulco e em semente

Given the high costs of agricultural production, especially due to the price of fertilisers, particularly nitrogen, the use of inoculants to supply nitrogen to soybean crops is a widely recommended practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying inoculants through seed and planting furrow in soil previously cultivated with soybean and Brazilian native cerrado biome soil under greenhouse conditions. Seven treatments were tested: 1) inoculation via seed (inoculant + fungicide + micronutrient), 2) treatment via seed (fungicide + micronutrient), 3) control (only seed), 4) inoculation via furrow-dose 1 (recommended dose), 5) inoculation via furrow-dose 2 (twice the recommended dose), 6) inoculation via furrow-dose 3 (three times the recommended dose) and 7) inoculation via furrow-dose 1 + seed inoculation. We evaluated plant height, fresh and dry matter weight of the aerial part and nodules, number of total, viable and non-viable nodules, number of pods per plant and grain yield. Inoculation was more effective when used in cerrado soil, but soybean performance in treatments without inoculation was higher in previously cultivated soil. Application through furrow proved to be a viable practice due to the similarity of the results obtained with the traditional application by seed.

Diante dos custos da produção agrícola, consideravelmente elevados em função do preço dos fertilizantes e, particularmente, os nitrogenados, o uso de inoculantes, visando fornecimento de nitrogênio para a cultura da soja, tem sido uma tecnologia frequentemente recomendada para viabilizar a produção. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a viabilidade da aplicação de inoculantes via semente e sulco de semeadura, em solo já cultivado e em solo de cerrado nativo com a cultura da soja. O ensaio foi realizado em casa-de-vegetação, utilizando solo de cerrado, sem cultivo anterior, e solo com histórico de cultivo de soja. Foram testados sete tratamentos: 1) inoculação via semente (inoculante + fungicida + micronutriente), 2) tratamento via semente (fungicida + micronutriente), 3) testemunha (semente pura, sem tratamento), 4) via sulco-dose1 (dose recomendada), 5) sulco-dose2 (duas vezes a dose recomendada), 6) sulco-dose3 (três vezes a dose recomendada), e 7) sulco-dose1+ inoculação via semente. Foram avaliados altura de plantas; massa de matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e nódulos; número de nódulos totais, viáveis e não-viáveis; número de vagens por planta e rendimento de grãos. A inoculação foi mais efetiva no incremento das variáveis analisadas quando utilizada no solo de cerrado, e o desempenho da soja nos tratamentos que não receberam inoculação foi melhor no solo já cultivado. A aplicação via sulco mostrou-se uma prática viável em razão da semelhança dos resultados obtidos com a aplicação tradicional, via semente.

Rendimento de soja em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária: efeito de métodos e intensidades de pastejo / Soybean yield in an animal-crop rotation system: effects of grazing methods and intensities

Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária têm despertado o interesse de produtores que buscam a diversificação das atividades e o aumento da rentabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de métodos e intensidades de pastejo de ovinos no rendimento da soja cultivada em dois espaçamentos entre linhas, em um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Eldorado do Sul - RS, na Estação Experimental Agronômica - UFRGS na safra 2003/2004, cujas coordenadas geográficas são 30005'22" S de latitude e 51039'08" W de longitude. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados num fatorial com duas intensidades de pastejo, baixa e moderada, dois métodos de pastejo, contínuo e rotacionado, e dois espaçamentos entre fileiras de soja, 0,2 e 0,4m, com quatro repetições. Uma área foi adicionada como testemunha sem pastejo. Avaliaram-se o rendimento e os componentes do rendimento da soja. A produção de soja foi superior nos tratamentos submetidos a pastejo em comparação aos não-pastejados. Dentre os pastejados, o rendimento de soja foi superior na intensidade de pastejo baixa em comparação com a intensidade moderada. A intensidade de pastejo utilizada no inverno é o principal determinante do sucesso desse sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária.(AU)

Animal-crop rotation systems are fostering the interest of farmers searching for diversification and the increase of profitability. The experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of grazing methods and intensities applied on winter pastures grazed by lambs and its consequence for soybean yield cultivated in succession. This crop-animal rotation trial was conducted in 2003/2004 at UFRGS Agricultural Research Station (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul) in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, whose geographical coordinates are 30005'22" S latitude and 51039'08" W longitude. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged in a factorial with two grazing methods, continuous and rotational, two grazing intensities, low and moderate, and two soybean rows spacing, 0.2 and 0.4 m, with four replicates. An additional area was surveyed as a no grazing paddock reference and soybean yield attributes were evaluated. Soybean yield was superior in grazed areas (P<0.05) compared to non grazed ones. Among grazed treatments, soybean yield was superior (P<0.05) at low grazing intensity compared to moderate grazing intensity. The grazing intensity level used during winter is fundamental to the success of animal-crop rotation systems.(AU)

Rendimento de soja em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária: efeito de métodos e intensidades de pastejo / Soybean yield in an animal-crop rotation system: effects of grazing methods and intensities

Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária têm despertado o interesse de produtores que buscam a diversificação das atividades e o aumento da rentabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de métodos e intensidades de pastejo de ovinos no rendimento da soja cultivada em dois espaçamentos entre linhas, em um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Eldorado do Sul - RS, na Estação Experimental Agronômica - UFRGS na safra 2003/2004, cujas coordenadas geográficas são 30005'22" S de latitude e 51039'08" W de longitude. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados num fatorial com duas intensidades de pastejo, baixa e moderada, dois métodos de pastejo, contínuo e rotacionado, e dois espaçamentos entre fileiras de soja, 0,2 e 0,4m, com quatro repetições. Uma área foi adicionada como testemunha sem pastejo. Avaliaram-se o rendimento e os componentes do rendimento da soja. A produção de soja foi superior nos tratamentos submetidos a pastejo em comparação aos não-pastejados. Dentre os pastejados, o rendimento de soja foi superior na intensidade de pastejo baixa em comparação com a intensidade moderada. A intensidade de pastejo utilizada no inverno é o principal determinante do sucesso desse sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária.

Animal-crop rotation systems are fostering the interest of farmers searching for diversification and the increase of profitability. The experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of grazing methods and intensities applied on winter pastures grazed by lambs and its consequence for soybean yield cultivated in succession. This crop-animal rotation trial was conducted in 2003/2004 at UFRGS Agricultural Research Station (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul) in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, whose geographical coordinates are 30005'22" S latitude and 51039'08" W longitude. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged in a factorial with two grazing methods, continuous and rotational, two grazing intensities, low and moderate, and two soybean rows spacing, 0.2 and 0.4 m, with four replicates. An additional area was surveyed as a no grazing paddock reference and soybean yield attributes were evaluated. Soybean yield was superior in grazed areas (P<0.05) compared to non grazed ones. Among grazed treatments, soybean yield was superior (P<0.05) at low grazing intensity compared to moderate grazing intensity. The grazing intensity level used during winter is fundamental to the success of animal-crop rotation systems.