Impact of historical soil management on the interaction of plant-growth-promoting bacteria with maize (Zea mays L.).

Edaphic factors can modulate the effects of microbial inoculants on crop yield promotion. Given the potential complexity of microbial inoculant responses to diverse soil management practices, we hypothesize that sustainable management of soil and water irrigation may improve soil quality and enhance the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Consequently, the primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of microbial inoculants formulated with Herbaspirillum seropedicae (Hs) and Azospirillum brasilense (Ab) on maize growth in soils impacted by different historical conservation management systems. We evaluated two soil management systems, two irrigation conditions, and four treatments: T0 - without bioinoculant and 100% doses of NPK fertilization; T1 - Hs + humic substances and 40% of NPK fertilization; T2 - Ab and 40% of NPK fertilization; T3 - co-inoculation (Hs + Ab) and 40% of NPK fertilization. Using a reduced fertilization dose (40% NPK) associated with microbial inoculants proved efficient in increasing maize shoot dry mass : on average, there was a 16% reduction compared to the treatment with 100% fertilization. In co-inoculation (Hs + Ab), the microbial inoculants showed a mutualistic effect on plant response, higher than isolate ones, especially increasing the nitrogen content in no-tillage systems irrigated by swine wastewater. Under lower nutrient availability and higher biological soil quality, the microbial bioinputs positively influenced root development, instantaneous water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and nitrogen contents.

Chemical attributes, bacterial community, and antibiotic resistance genes are affected by intensive use of soil in agro-ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil.

Soil is one of the largest reservoirs of microbial diversity in nature. Although soil management is vital for agricultural purposes, intensive practices can have a significant impact on fertility, microbial community, and resistome. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intensive soil management system on the chemical attributes, composition and structure of prevalent bacterial communities, and presence and abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The chemical characterization, bacterial diversity and relative abundance of ARGs were evaluated in soils from areas of intensive vegetable cultivation and forests. Results indicate that levels of nutrients and heavy metals were higher in soil samples from cultivated areas. Similarly, greater enrichment and diversity of bacterial genera was detected in agricultural areas. Of the 18 target ARGs evaluated, seven were detected in studied soils. The oprD gene exhibited the highest abundance among the studied genes and was the only one that showed a significantly different prevalence between areas. The oprD gene was identified only from soil of the cultivated areas. The blaSFO, erm(36), oprD and van genes, in addition to the pH, showed greater correlation with in soil of cultivated areas, which in turn exhibited higher contents of nutrients. Thus, in addition to changes in chemical attributes and in the microbial community of the soil, intensive agricultural cultivation systems cause a modification of its resistome, reinforcing the importance of the study of antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach.

Spatial variability of chemical indicators of Amazon agricultural soils through geomultivariate statistics, Brazil.

This work focuses on evaluating the spatial variability of chemical attributes of soils under different agricultural use and native forest, indicating which are the possible indicator attributes of changes in environmental, through the use and management of the soil. The study was carried out in the southern region of the Amazonas state, in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Ultisol). Sampling grids were established measuring: 90 m × 70 m with regular soil collection spacing of 10 m for the guarana and forest areas; 90 m × 56 m spaced at 10 m × 8 m for annatto area; and 54 m × 42 m with spacing between points of 6 m for the cupuaçu area, totaling 80 sampling points in each area, with soil samples collected at depths of 0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m. The following attributes were determined: pH, Al3+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, P, H + Al, CEC, V% and m%. Descriptive, geostatistical and multivariate statistical analyzes were performed. The results show that it is possible to state that the descriptive, geostatistical and multivariate statistical techniques were able to identify the difference between the spatial variability of the attributes according to each specific use of individual soils. The multivariate analysis made it possible to select the attributes that most contribute to the variability of these soils, and with that, it was found that the forest showed less spatial variability in the surface layer, with higher reach values by scaled semivariograms.

Application of young maize plant residues alters the microbiome composition and its functioning in a soil under conservation agriculture: a metagenomics study.

To increase our knowledge on how application of organic material alters soil microbial populations and functionality, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to determine the microbial communities and their potential functionality in an arable soil amended with young maize plants (Zea mays L.) in a laboratory experiment after 3 days. The relative abundance of bacterial and viral groups was strongly affected by organic material application, whereas that of the archaeal, protist and fungal groups was less affected. Cellulose degraders with copiotrophic lifestyle (e.g., Betaproteobacteria) were enriched in the amended soil, whereas the groups with slow growing oligotrophic and chemolithoautotrophic metabolism within Bacteria and Archaea were greater in the unamended than in the amended soil. The soil viral structure and richness were also affected. Caudovirales was the dominant viral family, with members of Siphoviridae enriched in the amended soil and members of Myoviridae in the unamended soil. More specialized metabolic traits related to both the degradation of complex C compounds and denitrification related genes were enriched in the young maize plant amended soil than in the unamended soil, whereas nitrification related genes were enriched in the latter. Copiotrophic life-style bacterial groups were enriched in the amended soil, whereas oligotrophic life-style bacterial groups in the unamended soil. Many bacterial and viral phylotypes were affected by the application of young maize plants, but the number of soil fungi, archaea and protists affected was smaller. Metabolic functionality was affected by the application of organic material as the relative abundance of genes involved in the denitrification process was higher in the maize plant amended soil than in the unamended soil and those involved in the nitrification process was higher in the unamended soil.

Why is Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. a common species in the mining tailings of the Fundão dam in Minas Gerais, Brazil?

Currently, more than five years after the Fundão dam failure in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. is the main grass in pasturelands affected by the mining tailings. The aim of this study was to investigate the reason for this fact as well as to determine the ecophysiological effects of mining tailings on B. decumbens and to test whether mixing the tailings with unaffected local soil enhances the affected soil properties. For the experiment, two different soils were collected, one unaffected soil without mining tailings (Ref) and the mining tailings (Tec), and we also created a mixture with 50 % of each soil type (Ref/Tec). We cultivated B. decumbens in the three soil treatments in a greenhouse for 110 days and evaluated soil physical-chemical properties and plant ecophysiology. Our results show that the tailings (Tec) compromised the normal ecophysiological state of B. decumbens. The species survived these adverse conditions due to its great efficiency in acquiring some elements. The soil management tested by this work mitigated the stress caused by tailings and can represent an alternative for the environmental recovery of the affected soils.

Evaluation of some microbiological attributes of the soil in two different management systems / Avaliação de atributos microbiológicos do solo em dois diferentes sistemas de manejo

The maintenance of organic matter in tropical soils and the use of soil quality indicators that can express its changes in sustainable agricultural systems is very important for monitoring the health of these ecosystems with high productivity and longevity. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate, through enzymatic responses of microbiological activity, variations resulting from different cultivation systems under sandy soil conditions in western of São Paulo State. In this purpose, the measurement of the parameters microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (NBM), dehydrogenase (DNSE), basal respiration (BR) and the metabolic quotient (qCO2) in two culture systems characterized by being a succession of annual crops with soybean/corn (annual crops) and the other under perennial pasture of the genus Urochloa (pasture), respectively. It was verified that the two systems presented different behaviors related to the evaluated microbiological attributes, showing higher values in the evaluated microbial attributes in the area where Urochloa grass was cultivated.

A manutenção da matéria orgânica em solos tropicais e o uso de indicadores de qualidade do solo que possam expressar suas alterações em sistemas agrícolas sustentáveis é de grande importância para o monitoramento da saúde desses ecossistemas com alta produtividade e longevidade. Buscou-se neste experimento avaliar dois diferentes sistemas de cultivo sob condições de solos arenosos do oeste paulista, respostas diferentes nas atividades microbiológicas, decorrentes destes manejos. Neste sentido, procedeu-se a mensuração dos parâmetros carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana (NBM), desidrogenase (DNASE), respiração basal (RB) e o quociente metabólico (qCO2), em dois sistemas de cultivo agrícola caracterizados por serem sucessão de culturas anuais com soja/milho (cultivos anuais) e o outro sob pastagem perene do gênero Urochloa (pastagens), respectivamente. Verificou-se que os dois sistemas apresentaram comportamentos diferentes relacionados aos atributos microbiológicos avaliados, apresentando maiores valores dos atributos biológicos na área onde havia o cultivo da gramínea do gênero Urochloa.

Mapping of soil chemical attributes in pasture areas in the Cerrado of Piauí, Brazil / Mapeamento dos atributos químicos do solo em áreas de pastagens no cerrado piauiense

The low natural fertility and compaction of agricultural soils in the Cerrado are the main limitations for agricultural production. Changes in management systems are necessary to optimize the use of natural resources. The objective of this study was to map and evaluate the presence of penetration resistance and its relationship with soil chemical attributes in pasture areas in the Cerrado of Piauí. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Corrente-PI, Brazil. The areawas divided into two sub-areas of 0.5 ha each: the first is remaining vegetation and the second is pasture. Fifty soil samples were collected in the 0.00-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 mlayers, with a sampling grid of 10 x 10 m. The pHin water, organic matter, calcium, magnesium,and soil penetration resistance were analyzed. The introduction of animals in the pasture area increased soil compaction by 2%. Chemical attributes, pH, organic matter, calcium and magnesium vary according to soil compaction by 2%. The native forest area has soil penetration resistance at acceptable levels (<2MPa)and availability of nutrientsat adequate levels. The maps of variability of organic matter, calcium, magnesium and penetration resistanceshowed the heterogeneity of the areas, allowing decisions based on specific management zones, localized application of nutrients and decompaction,and recovery of areas with inefficient management.(AU)

A baixa fertilidade natural e a compactação dos solos agrícolas do cerrado são as principais limitações para produção agropecuária. Mudanças nos sistemas de manejo são necessárias para otimização do uso de recursos naturais. O objetivo do estudo foi mapear e avaliar a presença da resistência a penetração e sua relação com os atributos químicos do solo em áreas de pastagens no cerrado piauiense. O experimento foi realizado no município de Corrente-PI. A área foi dividida em duas subáreas de 0,5 ha cada: a primeira é de vegetação remanescente, e a segunda de pastagem. Foram retiradas 50 amostras de solos nas camadas: 0.00-0.20 e 0.20-0.40 m, com malha amostral de 10 x 10 m. Foramanalisados, pH em água, matéria orgânica, cálcio, magnésio e resistência do solo a penetração. A introdução de animais na área de pastagem, aumentou a compactação do solo em 2%. Os atributos químicos, pH, matéria orgânica, cálcio e magnésio, variam de conforme a compactação do solo em 2%. A área de mata nativa apresenta resistência do solo à penetração em níveis aceitáveis (<2MPa)e disponibilidade de nutrientes em níveis adequados. Os mapas de variabilidade espacial mostraram a heterogeneidade das áreas,permitindo decisões baseadas em zonas específicas de manejo, aplicação de nutrientes e descompactação localizada e recuperação das áreascom manejo ineficiente.(AU)

Sustainability indicators for Brazilian dairy livestock: the perception of professionals in the sector

The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of professionals in relation to the importance of indicators used to assess the sustainability of Brazilian dairy cattle. A survey method was used through a questionnaire. The target audience was professionals related to dairy cattle: researchers, professors, consultants, farmers, and other professionals. The total number of respondents to the survey was 347. Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of four distinct groups: G1 ("Holistic"), participants agreed that all indicators are very important or, at least, important; G2 ("Technician") considered the indicators important and desirable, except for some environmental indicators which were assessed as non-priority and expendable; G3 ("Socioenvironmentalist") assessed the indicators as desirable, but environmental indicators received more importance; and G4 ("Skeptic") generally believed that indicators were non-priority and expendable. The groups showed significant differences in relation to knowledge about technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of dairy cattle. More than 60% of professionals consider milk production per area, reproductive index, production costs, profit from the activity, milk quality, quality of life of the producer and employees, succession, protection of water courses, and soil management as very important indicators of the sustainability of dairy cattle. On the other hand, important environmental indicators such as emissions of gases and substances, energy use, nutrient balance, and land use were neglected by most respondents. These results can help select and implement policies and strategies for decision making, aiming at producing milk in a more sustainable way.(AU)

Linear and spatial variability of eucalyptus dendrometric attributes correlated with the properties of a Typic Haplustox soil (Oxisol) in the Brazilian savannah / Variabilidade linear e espacial dos atributos dendométricos do eucalipto correlacionados com atributos de um latossolo no cerrado brasileiro

Effects of soil attributes using the geostatistical tool improves the interpretation of specific soil management. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of a Typical Haplustox (Oxisol), identifying those with the best linear and spatial correlation with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) vegetative growth. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching, Research, and Extension Farm (FEPE) of the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus of Ilha Solteira. Thirty-five points spaced 13 meters apart were demarcated for analysis, which were distributed in 5 rows of 7 points each. From each point, 2 soil samples were collected from the 0-10 cm depth layer. The physical, chemical, and microbiological soil properties evaluated were: sand, silt, and clay contents; penetration resistance (PR), gravimetric moisture (GM), real density (RD), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), respirometry (CO2-C), metabolic quotient (qCO2), organic matter content (OM), and hydrogenionic potential (pH). The eucalyptus attributes assessed were: plant height (PH) and circumference at breast height (CBH). Each attribute was analyzed by descriptive statistics using the SAS software. Data frequency distribution was verified by the Shapiro Wilk method, and geospatial changes were analyzed by the GS+ software. The soil property that best explained the variability in eucalyptus dendrometric attributes was real density (RD). Except for RD, all properties did not show spatial dependence (i.e., pure nugget effect), which significantly represents eucalyptus vegetative performance.(AU)

Efeitos dos atributos do solo utilizando a ferramenta geoestatística melhora a interpretação do manejo específico do solo. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as propriedades físicas, químicas e microbiológicas de um Latossolo Vermelho Típico, identificando aqueles com melhor correlação linear e espacial com o crescimento vegetativo do eucalipto (Eucalyptus spp). O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão (FEPE) da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus de Ilha Solteira. Foram demarcados para análise 35 pontos espaçados de 13 metros entre si, os quais foram distribuídos em 5 fileiras de 7 pontos cada. De cada ponto, 2 amostras de solo foram coletadas da camada de 0-10 cm de profundidade. As propriedades físicas, químicas e microbiológicas do solo avaliadas foram: teores de areia, silte e argila; resistência à penetração (PR), umidade gravimétrica (GM), densidade real (RD), carbono da biomassa microbiana (MBC), respirometria (CO2-C), quociente metabólico (qCO2), conteúdo de matéria orgânica (OM) e potencial hidrogeniônico (pH). Os atributos do eucalipto avaliados foram: altura da planta (AP) e circunferência à altura do peito (CAP). Cada atributo foi analisado por estatística descritiva usando o software SAS. A distribuição da frequência dos dados foi verificada pelo método Shapiro Wilk, e as mudanças geoespaciais foram analisadas pelo software GS +. A propriedade do solo que melhor explicou a variabilidade nos atributos dendrométricos do eucalipto foi a densidade real (RD). Exceto para RD, todas as propriedades não apresentaram dependência espacial (ou seja, efeito pepita pura), o que representa significativamente o desempenho vegetativo do eucalipto.(AU)

Irrigated sugarcane crops improve the quality of soil organic carbon over time / O cultivo da cana-de-açúcar irrigada melhora a qualidade do carbono orgânico do solo ao longo do tempo

The substitution of native vegetation in agricultural systems can cause several changes in the chemical and physical soil attributes, and in the dynamics of soil organic carbon. This study aimed to evaluate changes in soil physical attributes and carbon stock in soil organic matter fractions in irrigated sugarcane crops, as a function of land use and straw management practices over time, in the North of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Four sugarcane fields with different ages and management systems were studied: Cane 6, Cane 7, Cane 8, and Cane 10. The data obtained were compared with a native vegetation area located near the sugarcane fields, and used as reference for unmanaged soil. In each system, soil samples were collected in the 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm depth layers, to determine the physical attributes, the total organic carbon, and the physical fractions of the soil organic matter. We found that the sugarcane management with the maintenance of a part of the straw on the soil surface contributes to the preservation of the soil structure and the most stable fractions of organic carbon over time. However, in the regions with high annual mean temperature and in the irrigated systems, the soil tillage for the renewal of the sugarcane fields significantly decreases the total soil organic carbono.(AU)

A substituição de áreas de vegetação nativa em áreas agrícolas pode causar diversas alterações nos atributos químicos e físicos e na dinâmica do carbono orgânico do solo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar mudanças nos atributos físicos e no estoque de carbono nas frações de matéria orgânica do solo em canaviais irrigados, em função do uso da terra e das práticas de manejo da palhada, no Norte do Estado de Minas Gerais. Foram estudados quatro canaviais com diferentes idades e sistemas de manejo: Cana 6, Cana 7, Cana 8 e Cana 10. Os dados obtidos foram comparados com os do solo de área de vegetação nativa, próxima aos canaviais, como referência de solo não manejado. Em cada uma das áreas foram coletadas amostras de solo nas camadas de 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm de profundidade, para a determinação dos atributos físicos, carbono orgânico total e fracionamento físico da matéria orgânica do solo. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, o manejo dos canaviais com a manutenção de parte da palha na superfície do solo contribui para a preservação da estrutura do solo e das frações mais estáveis do carbono orgânico ao longo do tempo. Porém, em regiões de alta temperatura média anual e em sistemas irrigados, o preparo do solo para a renovação dos canaviais diminui significativamente o carbono orgânico total do solo.(AU)

Organic farming practices change the soil bacteria community, improving soil quality and maize crop yields.

BACKGROUND: The importance of organic farming has increased through the years to promote food security allied with minimal harm to the ecosystem. Besides the environmental benefits, a recurring problem associated with organic management is the unsatisfactory yield. A possible solution may rely on the soil microbiome, which presents a crucial role in the soil system. Here, we aimed to evaluate the soil bacterial community structure and composition under organic and conventional farming, considering the tropical climate and tropical soil. METHODOLOGY: Our organic management treatments were composed by composted poultry manure and green manure with Bokashi. Both organic treatments were based on low nitrogen inputs. We evaluated the soil bacterial community composition by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, soil fertility, and soil enzyme activity in two organic farming systems, one conventional and the last transitional from conventional to organic. RESULTS: We observed that both organic systems evaluated in this study, have higher yield than the conventional treatment, even in a year with drought conditions. These yield results are highly correlated with changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity. The attributes pH, Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase, and ß- glucosidase activity are positively correlated with organic systems, while K and Al are correlated with conventional treatment. Also, our results show in the organic systems the changes in the soil bacteria community, being phyla Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, and Rokubacteria the most abundant. These phyla were correlated with soil biochemical changes in the organic systems, helping to increase crop yields. CONCLUSION: Different organic management systems, (the so-called natural and organic management systems, which use distinct organic sources), shift the soil bacterial community composition, implying changes in their functionalities. Also, our results contributed to the identification of target bacterial groups and changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity in a trophic organic farming system, which may contribute to higher crop yields.

Changes in soil mesofauna structure due to different land use systems in south Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Essential to the provision of important ecosystems services, i.e., food production, soil is suffering great pressure. The degradation of natural areas in order to turn them into croplands has been causing severe effects to the soil quality, including the maintenance of their biodiversity. Soil physical disruption reduce the soil biodiversity and, consequently, may cause negative effects to the supporting services, i.e., organic matter degradation and nutrient cycling, which will directly or indirectly impact agroecosystems. In this study, the influence of three different types of land uses (native forest (NF), conventional agriculture (CA), and organic agriculture (OA)) to the soil mesofauna (emphasizing collembolan and mites) were assessed under real scenarios in the southeast part of Brazil. Both conventional and organic fields were of strawberries, and the greatest difference in their processes was the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, performed at CA. Soil fauna organisms were collected and identified to main groups, except the collembolan species which were further separated into four main groups/family. Results showed that not only the physical changes due to soil tillage caused negative effects to soil fauna. In the field where the use of agricultural products was allowed, organisms were much more severely affected. Hence, the conversion of natural forested areas to agricultural lands may harm soil fauna communities through biodiversity loss. This study not only adds significant information to the knowledge regarding the relation between biodiversity loss and agricultural practices worldwide, but it also helps to improve Brazilian knowledge of the edaphic fauna in agroecosystems.

Mycorrhizal root colonization in maize fields is more affected by soil management and climate conditions than by plant genotype.

This work aims to characterize the arbuscular mycorrhizal association between maize genotypes and the effects of soil physical-chemical attributes on the symbiosis. A preliminary greenhouse assay evaluated five maize landraces and five conventional modern genotypes in non-sterile, low-P soil. Sixty days after sowing, we measured plant height, stem diameter, shoot and root dry biomass, root colonization structures, and shoot P concentration and total accumulation. In a second stage, a 2-year on-farm study evaluated how soil physical-chemical attributes in fields with three plant genotype groups affected the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis in a maize diversity microcenter in Southern Brazil. We collected soil and plant material in farms growing landrace, conventional modern genotypes, or genetically modified (GM) maize. There were five collection points at each group, and we measured mycorrhizal colonization, soil physicochemical attributes, and shoot phosphorus concentration. The greenhouse study showed that genotypes have different growth strategies for root production and shoot growth. No differences in mycorrhizal colonization rates occurred among landraces and modern maize genotypes in the low-P soil. The field study showed that soil and climate conditions had a more marked effect on mycorrhizal root colonization than plant genotype groups (landrace, conventional modern genotypes, or GM maize).

Reducing climate impacts of beef production: A synthesis of life cycle assessments across management systems and global regions.

The global demand for beef is rapidly increasing (FAO, 2019), raising concern about climate change impacts (Clark et al., 2020; Leip et al., 2015; Springmann et al., 2018). Beef and dairy contribute over 70% of livestock greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which collectively contribute ~6.3 Gt CO2 -eq/year (Gerber et al., 2013; Herrero et al., 2016) and account for 14%-18% of human GHG emissions (Friedlingstein et al., 2019; Gerber et al., 2013). The utility of beef GHG mitigation strategies, such as land-based carbon (C) sequestration and increased production efficiency, are actively debated (Garnett et al., 2017). We compiled 292 local comparisons of "improved" versus "conventional" beef production systems across global regions, assessing net GHG emission data from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Our results indicate that net beef GHG emissions could be reduced substantially via changes in management. Overall, a 46 % reduction in net GHG emissions per unit of beef was achieved at sites using carbon (C) sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, and an 8% reduction in net GHGs was achieved at sites using growth efficiency strategies. However, net-zero emissions were only achieved in 2% of studies. Among regions, studies from Brazil had the greatest improvement, with management strategies for C sequestration and efficiency reducing beef GHG emissions by 57%. In the United States, C sequestration strategies reduced beef GHG emissions by over 100% (net-zero emissions) in a few grazing systems, whereas efficiency strategies were not successful at reducing GHGs, possibly because of high baseline efficiency in the region. This meta-analysis offers insight into pathways to substantially reduce beef production's global GHG emissions. Nonetheless, even if these improved land-based and efficiency management strategies could be fully applied globally, the trajectory of growth in beef demand will likely more than offset GHG emissions reductions and lead to further warming unless there is also reduced beef consumption.

The no-tillage, with crop rotation or succession, can increase the degree of clay dispersion in the superficial layer of highly weathered soils after 24 years / O plantio direto, com rotação ou sucessão, pode aumentar o grau de argila dispersa na camada superficial de solos altamente intemperizados depois de 24 anos

Clay dispersion is directly related to water erosion, especially during detaching and dragging of particles. No-till is one of the most important strategies for soil and water conservation in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and when associated with crop rotation, may reduce the degree of clay dispersion. The study aimed to evaluate, after 24 years, the effect of different soil management systems and crop systems on the degree of clay dispersion of a Rhodic Ferralsol. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four soil managements (continuous no-tillage, no-tillage with chiseling every three years, disk plowing followed by light harrowing and heavy disking followed by light harrowing) and with two crop systems (crop succession and rotation). The degree of clay dispersion was evaluated and associated with soil chemical attributes from layer 0.00-0.10 m. The degree of clay dispersion is affected by the soil management systems with no effect of crop systems. The soil management system with the lowest soil disturbance (continuous no-tillage) has a higher degree of clay dispersion than the ones that disturb the soil, regardless of the agricultural implement used or soil disturbance intensity. The soil electrochemical imbalance, primarily caused by soil potential acidity, is positively correlated to the increase in the degree of clay(AU)

A argila dispersa está diretamente relacionada com a erosão hídrica, especialmente durante o desprendimento e arraste de partículas. O plantio direto é uma das mais importantes estratégias para conservação do solo e da água nas regiões tropical e sub-tropical, e quando associado com a rotação de culturas, pode reduzir o grau de dispersão de argila. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar, após 24 anos, o efeito de diferentes sistemas de manejo e de culturas no grau de dispersão de argila de um Latossolo Vermelho. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em um esquema fatorial 4x2, com quatro manejos do solo (plantio direto contínuo, plantio direto com escarificação a cada três anos, aração de discos seguida de gradagem leve e gradagem pesada seguida de gradagem leve) e dois sistemas de cultivo (sucessão de cultura e rotação). O grau de dispersão da argila foi avaliado e associado aos atributos químicos do solo da camada 0,00-0,10 m. O grau de dispersão da argila é afetado pelos sistemas de manejo do solo sem efeito dos sistemas de cultivo. O sistema de manejo de solo com menor perturbação do solo (plantio direto contínuo) possui o maior grau de dispersão de argila do que os que perturbam o solo, independentemente do implemento agrícola utilizado ou da intensidade do distúrbio do solo. O desequilíbrio eletroquímico do solo, causado principalmente pela acidez potencial do solo, está positivamente correlacionado ao aumento do grau de dispersão de argila da camada superficial do solo sob plantio direto contínuo.(AU)

The no-tillage, with crop rotation or succession, can increase the degree of clay dispersion in the superficial layer of highly weathered soils after 24 years / O plantio direto, com rotação ou sucessão, pode aumentar o grau de argila dispersa na camada superficial de solos altamente intemperizados depois de 24 anos

Clay dispersion is directly related to water erosion, especially during detaching and dragging of particles. No-till is one of the most important strategies for soil and water conservation in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and when associated with crop rotation, may reduce the degree of clay dispersion. The study aimed to evaluate, after 24 years, the effect of different soil management systems and crop systems on the degree of clay dispersion of a Rhodic Ferralsol. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four soil managements (continuous no-tillage, no-tillage with chiseling every three years, disk plowing followed by light harrowing and heavy disking followed by light harrowing) and with two crop systems (crop succession and rotation). The degree of clay dispersion was evaluated and associated with soil chemical attributes from layer 0.00-0.10 m. The degree of clay dispersion is affected by the soil management systems with no effect of crop systems. The soil management system with the lowest soil disturbance (continuous no-tillage) has a higher degree of clay dispersion than the ones that disturb the soil, regardless of the agricultural implement used or soil disturbance intensity. The soil electrochemical imbalance, primarily caused by soil potential acidity, is positively correlated to the increase in the degree of clay

A argila dispersa está diretamente relacionada com a erosão hídrica, especialmente durante o desprendimento e arraste de partículas. O plantio direto é uma das mais importantes estratégias para conservação do solo e da água nas regiões tropical e sub-tropical, e quando associado com a rotação de culturas, pode reduzir o grau de dispersão de argila. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar, após 24 anos, o efeito de diferentes sistemas de manejo e de culturas no grau de dispersão de argila de um Latossolo Vermelho. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em um esquema fatorial 4x2, com quatro manejos do solo (plantio direto contínuo, plantio direto com escarificação a cada três anos, aração de discos seguida de gradagem leve e gradagem pesada seguida de gradagem leve) e dois sistemas de cultivo (sucessão de cultura e rotação). O grau de dispersão da argila foi avaliado e associado aos atributos químicos do solo da camada 0,00-0,10 m. O grau de dispersão da argila é afetado pelos sistemas de manejo do solo sem efeito dos sistemas de cultivo. O sistema de manejo de solo com menor perturbação do solo (plantio direto contínuo) possui o maior grau de dispersão de argila do que os que perturbam o solo, independentemente do implemento agrícola utilizado ou da intensidade do distúrbio do solo. O desequilíbrio eletroquímico do solo, causado principalmente pela acidez potencial do solo, está positivamente correlacionado ao aumento do grau de dispersão de argila da camada superficial do solo sob plantio direto contínuo.

The stability of aggregates and organic carbon content after the application of gypsum, soil scarification and a succession of agricultural crops / A estabilidade dos agregados e do teor de carbono orgânico após a aplicação de gesso, escarificação do solo e uma sucessão de culturas agrícolas

Studies related to the monitoring of soil quality by physical attributes are important for the evaluation and maintenance of the sustainability of agricultural systems, besides indicating the appropriate management of the environment, aiming at its conservation and productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of aggregates and organic carbon after the application of gypsum, soil scarification and a succession of crops. The treatments consisted of an absence and addition of gypsum, absence and presence of soil scarification, and three systems of crops in succession. The experimental design was made of randomized blocks, in a 2x2x4 factorial scheme, with eight replications. The aggregates were evaluated as stabled in water and soil organic carbon content. The treatment where gypsum was applied, as well as the soybean/maize/brachiaria/fallow (SMBF) succession system, presented better results in soil aggregation and higher levels of organic carbon.

Estudos relativos ao monitoramento da qualidade do solo pelos atributos físicos são importantes para a avaliação e manutenção da sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas, além de sinalizar o manejo adequado do ambiente, visando à sua conservação e produtividade. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a estabilidade de agregados e teor de carbono orgânico, após a aplicação de gesso, escarificação do solo e sucessão de culturas. Os tratamentos consistiram na ausência e adição de gesso agrícola, ausência e presença de escarificação do solo, e três sistemas de sucessão de culturas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x2x3 com oito repetições. Sendo avaliada a estabilidade dos agregados estáveis em água e teor de carbono orgânico do solo. O tratamento onde foi aplicado gesso agrícola e o sistema de sucessão SMBP apresentaram melhores resultados na agregação do solo e maiores teores de carbono orgânico.

C and P pool restoration by a no-tillage system on Brazilian Cerrado Oxisol in Piauí State.

The Cerrado soil is under constant modification, especially because of the use of agricultural systems, which affect soil carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) functioning. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the C and P dynamics in Brazilian Cerrado Oxisol in Piauí State under natural and anthropic conditions, considering that conservational agricultural management and no-tillage systems can restore the C and P pools in that soil. Four soil samples with distinct characteristics (native Cerrado, NC; burned native Cerrado, BNC; conventional tillage agricultural system, CTS; and no-tillage agricultural system, NTS) were collected in the study area for chemical and physical laboratory analysis. The total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations found were 33 g kg-1, 27 g kg-1, 26 g kg-1, and 20 g kg-1 for CTS, NTS, NC, and BNC, respectively. The NTS had a total nitrogen (TN) concentration of 2.0 g kg-1. The CTS had 33.4 g kg-1 of soil-oxidizable C, followed by the NTS with 27.2 g kg-1. In both studied layers, the NTS had an organic P concentration > 200 mg kg-1. The higher TOC concentration in the CTS was because of the higher content of clay in comparison with that in the NTS. The organic P in the NTS was associated with a less labile fraction of C. Thus, despite the disturbance caused by agricultural systems, the adoption of the NTS could be an influential strategy in agricultural systems to restore soil organic functioning in the Brazilian Cerrado Oxisol in Piauí State.

Soil microbiological properties and enzyme activity in agroforestry systems compared with monoculture, natural regeneration, and native Caatinga / Propriedades microbiológicas e atividade enzimática do solo sob sistemas agroflorestais comparado com monocultura, regeneração natural e caatinga nativa

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of agroforestry systems of different ages (AFS1: one-year old; AFS5: five-years old) on the biological attributes of soil; the following systems were used for comparison: a slash-and-burn (SBF) farming area, Caatinga which has been undergoing regeneration for 6 years (CaR6), and native Caatinga (NCa) in Brazil. Enzyme activity, abundance and composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and production of glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) were evaluated at soil depths of 0­0.05 m. AMF species composition in the AFS was more similar to that in the NCa than in the SBF and CaR6 systems. In the rainy season, sporulation was most abundant in the AFS-1, CaR6, and SBF systems, whereas GRSP concentrations were highest in the AFS5 during the dry season. Acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase enzyme activity was lower in the AFS1 soils than in the NCa and SBF soils (rainy period), and levels of ß-glucosidase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis in the AFS were equal to or higher than those in the NCa in the dry season but lower in the rainy season. AFS thus appear to promote the maintenance of soil biological quality, and may be more sustainable than SBF farming systems in the Brazilian Caatinga over the long term.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a influência de sistemas agroflorestais (AFS1: um ano de idade; AFS5: cinco anos de idade), nos atributos biológicos do solo usando como referência, uma área de agricultura de corte e queima (SBF), Caatinga em regeneração há 6 anos (CaR6), e Caatinga nativa (NCa), in Brasil. A atividade enzimática, a abundância e composição dos fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (AMF), e a produção de proteína do solo relacionada à glomalina (GRSP) foram avaliados, na profundidade de 0-5 cm do solo. A composição das espécies de AMF nos AFS foi mais semelhante a observada na NCa, do que os sistemas SBF e CaR6. Na estação chuvosa, a esporulação foi mais abundante em AFS-1, CaR6 and SBF quando comparada as outras áreas, enquanto a GRSP apresentou maiores teores no AFS5 no período seco. AFS1 apresentou atividade da fosfatase ácida e arilsulfatase inferiores tanto a NCa quanto a SBF, no período chuvoso. No período seco, a atividade de ß-glicosidase e a hidrólise do diacetato de fluoresceína (FDA) na AFS foram iguais ou superiores a Nca, mas menor no período chuvoso. Verifica-se que os AFS são potenciais para a manutenção da qualidade biológica do solo, podendo, em longo prazo, serem mais sustentáveis que a SBF, em ambiente de Caatinga.

Cropping sequences and no-till quality indicators in the Middle Plateau of Rio Grande do Sul / Sucessão de cultivos e indicadores da qualidade do plantio direto no Planalto Médio do Rio Grande do Sul

The no-tillage system (SPD) brings together the largest complex of conservation technologies for tropical and subtropical soils, however many producers are partially adopting these precepts, enhancing its degradation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of SPD in a locality, located in the Middle Plateau of Rio Grande do Sul, observing the current situation of soil management and agricultural plots in the region conducted under SPD. Land use monitoring was carried out at Linha Cristal, located in the city of Selbach, RS, as well as the evaluation of agricultural plots that represented the different managements observed there, as well as a native forest as reference. For this, the dry phytomass (DP) and the soil surface coverage rate (CR), the density (Sd), critical density (Bd) and degree of compaction (DC) of the soil were determined, in addiction to soil organic matter (SOM). Statistical analysis consisted of univariate analyzes (mean and standard deviation), while the results between the SOM and Ds levels were also submitted to regression analysis. The cultivated area showed low crop diversity in summer crops, predominating soybean (88.6%). Most of the corn in 2016/17 was destined to silage production (59%). The winter harvests were more diversified, with predominance of wheat, barley, white oats and black oats. The annual average DP added to the soil

O sistema plantio direto (SPD) reúne o maior complexo de tecnologias conservacionistas para solos tropicais e subtropicais, entretanto muitos produtores estão adotando parcialmente estes preceitos, potencializando a degradação do mesmo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do SPD em uma localidade, localizada no Planalto Médio do Rio Grande do Sul, observando qual a situação atual do manejo do solo e das glebas agrícolas da região conduzidas sob SPD. Foi realizado o monitoramento do uso do solo da localidade de Linha Cristal, situada no município de Selbach, RS, bem como a avaliação de glebas agrícolas que representassem diferentes manejos ali observados, além de uma mata nativa servindo de referência. Para isso, nestas glebas foram determinados os aportes de fitomassa seca (FMS) e o índice de cobertura (IC) da superfície do solo, a densidade (Ds), densidade crítica (Dsc) e grau de compactação (GC) do solo, além dos teores de matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). A análise estatística consistiu em análises univariadas (média e desvio padrão), já os resultados entre os teores de MOS e a Ds, também foram submetidos à análise de regressão. A área cultivada apresentou baixa diversidade de culturas no período de verão, predominando a soja (88,6%). Maior parte do milho em 2016/2017, destinou-se a produção de silagem (59%). Os cultivos de inverno foram mais diversificados