ABSTRACT Leaf litter decomposition and the release of nutrients from macauba palm leaves play a major role in nutrient return to the soil in a conservation environment. This study evaluated macauba palm leaf decomposition, macronutrient contents and biochemical composition under contrasting water conditions in the Brazilian Cerrado. Macauba leaves were collected from plants in two different environments (low and high water table conditions), placed in litter bags and evaluated according to their decomposition, macronutrients, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose for 420 days. In addition, green and dry leaves were collected for macronutrient analyses. Litter decomposition ranged between 49 % and 59 % up to 180 days. The half-life of litter ranged from 141 to 198 days. The leaf litter decomposition of macauba was practically stable during the dry season, whereas at the beginning of the rainy season, decomposition resumed. Nitrogen, P and S were higher in the green leaves, whereas the Ca levels were higher in the dry leaves. In addition, the K levels were twofold higher in the green leaves than in the dry leaves. Lignin release from macauba residues was slower than cellulose and hemicellulose. The decomposition rates of hemicellulose were higher initially due to its high solubility, although it gradually decreased with the decomposition process. Lignin decomposition was also higher at the beginning of the process but stabilized during the drought period. The study indicates that the decomposition process and nutrient cycling of macauba are influenced by its biochemical composition.

ABSTRACT: The Cerrado (Brazilian savannah) is a biome of great socio-economic and environmental importance to Brazil. The rapid agricultural expansion in the Cerrado biome areas promoted biogeochemical cycles that affect nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leading to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Brazil, nitrous oxide (N2O) is the main gas in agriculture, and agricultural practices increase emissions into the atmosphere. This review aimed to assess the influence of agriculture on N2O emissions in the Cerrado region, based on existing data in the literature, and extract patterns of direct N2O emissions in different agricultural systems in the Cerrado from existing data. A systematic review of data from 36 scientific publications in the Cerrado region with several crop systems revealed that N2O emissions varied from 0.15 kg ha-1 in native cerrado to 4.84 kg ha-1 in conventional tillage. Agricultural systems, nitrogen fertilizer application, and crop residues influence N2O emissions. One of the strategies to mitigate emissions is the sustainable intensification of farming systems. Cumulative N2O emissions in the Cerrado range from 0.001 to 4.84 kg ha-1 in different land-use scenarios. Soil under the conventional tillage system (CT) had the highest emissions, with an overall average of 1.58 kg ha-1 of N2O, compared to no-till system (NT) (0.82 kg ha-1) and native Cerrado 0.15 kg ha-1. Integrated crop-livestock (ICL) systems in the Cerrado had emissions with an overall average of 1.68 kg ha-1, integrated crop-livestock-forest systems (ICLF) had 1.20 ha-1, and eucalyptus plantations had 0.48 kg ha-1.

ABSTRACT: The selection of wheat genotypes according to their drought tolerance is essential to off-season cultivation. The objective of this work was to characterize wheat genotypes through yield and components, morphological characteristics under water stress, and irrigated water use efficiency in the Cerrado region in Brazil. Genotypes were planted during the winters of 2016 and 2017 since there is no precipitation during this season and water levels can be measured. They were then submitted to four water regimes: WR1, WR2, WR3, and WR4, representing 100 %, 83 %, 50 %, and 30 % of evapotranspiration replacement. The following variables were evaluated: peduncle length (PL), number of ears m−2 (NE m−2), hectoliter weight (HW), thousand grain weight (TGW), drought resistance index (DRI), irrigated water use efficiency (IWUE) and yield. Most variables showed correlation with yield and can be a useful tool for breeding programs. PL and HW were best correlated with yield. BRS 264 (irrigated biotype) was productive in treatments receiving the greatest number of irrigation treatments. Given that WR1 registered the highest water level, it was not expected that the rainfed biotype (BR18) would show a higher yield than an irrigated biotype (BRS254). BRS404 (rainfed biotype) was the most productive under moderate stress treatment (WR3). Aliança (rainfed biotype) showed a higher yield under severe stress. Rainfed biotypes presented a higher DRI than the irrigated ones. These genotypes can be used as a reference in breeding programs under each water regime in which their performance was outstanding. None of the variables studied contributed to the selection of the most efficient wheat genotypes in the IWUE.

ABSTRACT The use of cover crop in agricultural fields has been well elucidated, especially regarding nitrogen fixation from legume crops and their function as weed protection. Furthermore, to cover crops can benefit the soil microbial community. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the benefits of mulching and cover cropping systems on soil microbial growth and activity, and their effects on plant mineral nutrition in pomelo (Citrus maxima ) and macadamia ( Macadamia integrifolia ) orchards. The treatments included: 1) control [Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup at 4 l per ha)], 2) manual weed control, 3) mulching with dead leaves from their respective trees (macadamia and pomelo), 4) millet, 5) faba bean, 6) millet + faba bean. All the treatments were applied for 120 days before soil and plant leaves were sampled for analyses. Plant mineral nutrition, soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and soil microbial biomass N (MBN); basal respiration (BRA), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization (COL); number of AMF spores (SPO) in soil; total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were evaluated. Plant nutrition was not altered by the treatments; however, the MBC, COL and SPO markedly increased in response to mulching and faba bean + millet treatments. Especially in macadamia soils, these treatments had a great response to soil microbiology. Significant negative correlations were also detected for the COL, SPO, BRA and TOC with the Nutrient Balance Index (NBI). These results indicate that in short-term the cover cropping system is useful to improve the soil microbial growth and AMF formation in soils of pomelo and macadam orchards.

ABSTRACT: Soil management systems exert different effects on soil attributes, especially on the organic matter content, and, consequently, the soil aggregation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land uses practiced by quilombola family farmers on water stable aggregates, glomalin and organic carbon in soil aggregates. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm from areas cultivated under the following management systems: 1) conventional corn plantation (MA), 2) cultivation of citrus trees intercropped with annual crops (AC) (a conservationist approach), 3) pasture of Brachiaria (Urochloa spp.) (PA), and, as reference, an area of the Cerrado (CR) free of any anthropogenic interference. The studied areas were evaluated in a completely randomized design, with five replications, in a subplot scheme. The plots were the management systems and the subplots the depths. Soil macro-aggregates were predominant at both depths and the aggregate stability indices were higher than 90 % for all management systems. Total organic carbon in the two aggregate classes (micro and macro-aggregates) correlated with the MWD (mean weight-diameter), but not with the easily extractable glomalin (EEG) related soil protein. Soil micro and macro-aggregates, EEG and MWD discriminated management systems and are important soil quality indicators. The carbon content in both micro-aggregates (C-MIC) and macro-aggregates (C-MAC) of the intercropped system (AC) was higher than in the CR. The soil attributes that best separated the areas were C-MIC, MWD and EEG in macro-aggregates for the depth of 0-10 cm, and EEG in micro-aggregates, together with MWD and C-MAC for the depth of 10-20 cm.

Abstract This research evaluated the monthly variation of plant mineral nutrition in six species of fruit trees over a year. Leaf samples were taken from the fruit trees and nutritional status (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Mo) was determined in the leaves in a month basis from April until November for apple, persimmon and peach. Mandarin mineral nutrition was monitored for one year, and grape and fig from May to November. Using this data, the Diagnosis Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was also calculated to evaluate the nutrient balance in the plants. The concentration of N and P had seasonal differences, especially in apple and peach, which reached the peak during the summer. Apple, fig, and grape trees had large ranging on their mineral contents over the year, especially with the P and K levels reaching the minimum during the harvesting season. However, the seasonal changes in leaf micronutrient concentrations were not uniform and not affected by phenological stage. The DRIS data demonstrated that mandarin had the best nutrient balance compared to others and that K was the most limiting element among the fruit trees. In summary, the current data suggest the occurrence of a significant seasonality in mineral nutrition in these six fruit trees, especially in temperate ones.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica de atributos microbiológicos do solo em sistemas integrados de produção, em pastagem contínua e em cerrado nativo. O estudo foi conduzido em área de transição de lavoura para pecuária. Quatro áreas com diferentes usos da terra foram avaliadas: sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (ILPF), cultivado com renques de Eucalyptus urograndis, com espaçamento de 2x2 m entre plantas e 22 m entre renques; sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP); além de duas áreas adjacentes de cerrado nativo e pastagem contínua, usadas como referência. Para a avaliação dos atributos microbiológicos, amostras de solos foram retiradas das camadas de 0,00-0,10, 0,10-0,20 e 0,20-0,30 m, em fevereiro de 2012 e fevereiro de 2014 (estação chuvosa), e em julho de 2012 e setembro de 2013 (estação seca). No geral, o solo sob cerrado apresentou os maiores níveis de carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), enquanto sob ILPF apresentou os menores. A ILP aumentou o CBM e o coeficiente microbiano nas camadas mais profundas, após dois anos de estabelecimento. A respiração basal, o nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana e o CBM são os atributos microbiológicos mais adequados para diferenciar os sistemas avaliados.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamics of soil microbiological attributes under integrated production systems, continuous pasture, and native cerrado. The study was conducted in a transition area from crop to livestock. Four areas with different land uses were evaluated: an integrated crop-livestock-forestry system (ICLFS), cultivated with Eucalyptus urograndis alley cropping, spaced 2x2 m between plants and 22 m between alleys; an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS); besides two adjacent areas of native cerrado and continuous pasture, used as a reference. For the assessment of microbiological attributes, soil samples were taken in the 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.30-m layers, in February 2012 and February 2014 (rainy season), and in July 2012 and September 2013 (dry season). In general, soil under native cerrado had the highest microbial biomass carbon (MBC) levels, while under the ICLFS it had the lowest ones. The ICLS increased MBC and microbial coefficient in the deeper soil layers, after two years of establishment. Basal respiration, microbial biomass nitrogen, and MBC are the soil microbiological attributes better able to differentiate the evaluated systems.

A biomassa microbiana é um componente vivo da matéria orgânica sensível às mudanças causadas pelos diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos neste trabalho, foi realizado um experimento de longa duração na área experimental da Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, Distrito Federal. Foram estudados oito sistemas de manejo do solo, formados pelo uso de diferentes implementos agrícolas e épocas de incorporação de restos culturais. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em cinco profundidades: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 e 30-40 cm, com três repetições, em três épocas: antes do plantio do milho, 30 dias após a emergência e na floração da cultura. Os tratamentos sob plantio direto apresentaram diferenças nos teores de C e N da biomassa microbiana (Cmic e Nmic): enquanto um tratamento sob plantio direto, que utilizou arado de aivecas (PDAV) no primeiro ano de cultivo, superou nos teores de Cmic um outro que utilizou o arado de discos, também no primeiro ano (PDAD), o oposto ocorreu para o conteúdo de Nmic. Isso indica que o efeito desses implementos nas propriedades do solo persistiu mesmo após 22 anos sob plantio direto. Das propriedades do solo analisadas, de maneira geral, as maiores diferenças entre os sistemas sob plantio direto e sob cultivo mínimo (escarificador) e aqueles com maior perturbação do solo (arado de discos e de aivecas) foram verificadas antes do plantio, ou seja, antes do revolvimento e da adubação do solo para estabelecimento da cultura.

The microbial biomass is a living component of the organic matter responsive to changes caused by different soil management systems. The objective of this long-term study was to determine microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in response to different management systems in a clayey Red Latosol cultivated with corn in the Cerrado. The field experiment was conducted on an experimental area of Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, in the Federal District. Eight soil management systems with different implements and periods of crop residue incorporation were compared. Soil samples were collected from five layers: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm, with three replicates and in three sampling periods: before corn planting, 30 days after germination and at corn flowering. Treatments under no-till differed from each other regarding the microbial biomass Cmic and Nmic contents: while in one no-till treatment the soil cultivated by moldboard plow in the first year (PDAV) had a higher Cmic content, in the other no-till treatment the soil cultivated by disk plow in the first year (PDAD) had a higher Nmic content. This indicates that the effects in the soil profile caused by disk and moldboard plowing are still measurable, even after 22 years under no-till. In general, the greatest differences between no-till (PDAD and PDAV) or minimum tillage (chisel plow), and those with greater soil disturbance (disk and moldboard plow) were observed before planting, that is, before soil plowing and fertilization for the crop.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a resposta da soja, com inoculação de Bradyrhizobium japonicum (estirpe CB1809, Semia 586) ou B. elkanii (estirpe 29W, Semia 5019), ao estresse hídrico. Plantas com inoculação da estirpe CB1809 produziram maior fração de raízes (19%) do que aquelas com inoculação de 29W (14,6%). As plantas com inoculação de CB1809 produziram menos nódulos e acumularam mais nitrogênio do que aquelas com inoculação de 29W. Em geral, baixos teores de ureídos nos nódulos foram encontrados em plantas irrigadas, com inoculação de CB1809 ou 29W, mas esses valores aumentaram cinco vezes em plantas com CB1809, sob estresse hídrico. Os nódulos formados pela estirpe CB1809 produziram, principalmente, aspartato e glutamato, ao passo que aqueles formados pela estirpe 29W produziram mais glutamato, asparagina e alanina. Nos nódulos de plantas com inoculação de CB1809, o aspartato foi o aminoácido que apresentou maior acumulação (5 µmol g-1); em plantas sob estresse hídrico, esse aminoácido alcançou 26 µmol g-1; e não foi detectada asparagina. Os nódulos formados pela estirpe 29W acumularam 1 µmol g-1 de aspartato, em plantas com ou sem estresse. A asparagina foi o principal aminoácido encontrado nos nódulos de plantas irrigadas (6 µmol g-1); a quantidade desse aminoácido foi aumentada em seis vezes, quando as plantas foram submetidas ao estresse hídrico.

The objective of this work was to study the response to water stress of a drought sensitive soybean cultivar inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum (strain CB1809, Semia 586) and B. elkanii (strain 29W, Semia 5019). CB1809 nodulated plants produced a significantly higher root fraction (19%) than 29W (14.6%). Plants inoculated with CB1809 produced less nodules and accumulated more nitrogen than those inoculated with 29W. In general, low amounts of ureides in nodules were found in watered plants inoculated with either CB1809 or 29W strains, but those levels were five-fold increased in stressed plants inoculated with CB1809. Nodules formed by strain CB1809 had aspartate and glutamate as major amino acids, while those formed by 29W had glutamate, asparagine and alanine. In nodules of plants inoculated with CB1809 aspartate showed the highest accumulation (5 µmol g-1); in stressed plants this amino acid reached a value of 26 µmol g-1, and asparagine was not detected. Nodules formed by the strain 29W accumulated 1 µmol g-1 of aspartate, whether plants were stressed or not. Asparagine was the major amino acid found in nodules from watered plants (6 µmol g-1) and the amount of this amino acid was six-fold increased when plants were water stressed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar o nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana do solo (NBMS), em diferentes manejos: semeadura direta (SD), uma gradagem (GR), subsolagem e duas gradagens (SG), comparado com solo sob cerrado nativo, em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo argiloso, no Distrito Federal. Avaliaram-se os solos em cinco profundidades, 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 e 30-40 cm; e em quatro épocas: antes do preparo do solo, 30 dias após a germinação (30 DAG), floração e após colheita da soja. O nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana em solo não perturbado, apresentou maiores valores em todas as épocas estudadas comparadas com os solos em diferentes manejos. Houve diferença significativa nas camadas 0-5, 5-10 e 10-20 cm, exceto aos 30 dias após a germinação. A razão porcentual no Cerrado Nmic:Ntotal foi 2,5 vezes maior que a GR, três vezes maior que a SD e cinco vezes maior que a SG. A distribuição do Ntotal foi decrescente no solo de Cerrado e nos manejos ao longo do perfil. Os teores de Ntotal reduziram-se de acordo com a profundidade em todas as épocas avaliadas. Houve correlação positiva entre os nutrientes e o nitrogênio microbiano nos diferentes manejos e solo de cerrado sob vegetação nativa.

The aim of this work was to quantify soil nitrogen microbial biomassa (SNMB) under different soil management systems: no-tillage (NT); one harrowing (OH); one subsoiling with two harrowings (SH). These systems were compared with native Cerrado, on a Red Yellow Latossol clay, in Federal District. Soils were studied at five depths, 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm, over four periods: before soil preparation; 30 days after germination (DAG); flowering stage and after harvesting soybean plants. The native Cerrado showed the highest values of SNMB in all periods and management systems. Significant differences were found between 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers, except at 30 DAG. The Nmic:Ntotal percentual ratio in cerrado soil was 2.5 times greater than OH system, three times greater than NT and five times greater than SH. The distribution of total N decreased in the Cerrado soil and other management systems with soil depth. Total N levels decreased with soil depth in all periods. There was a positive correlation between nutrients and microbial nitrogen in different management systems and soils under native cerrado vegetation.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito do estresse hídrico na fixação biológica do N2 e na estrutura dos nódulos de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), nas cultivares Carioca e EMGOPA-201. As plantas foram colhidas após cinco e oito dias de estresse hídrico. A cultivar Carioca apresentou menor peso seco de nódulos que o controle (plantas irrigadas). O peso da parte aérea seca da cultivar Carioca foi menor aos cinco dias de estresse hídrico e não diferiu do controle, após oito dias de estresse. As duas cultivares tiveram menor atividade da nitrogenase após cinco e oito dias de estresse hídrico e apresentaram danos na membrana peribacteróide após oito dias de estresse. A cultivar Carioca foi mais afetada do que a EMGOPA-201, com vacuolação das células e perda da membrana peribacteróide após cinco dias de estresse; aos oito dias, houve degradação das células do citoplasma, senescência e liberação dos bacteróides nos espaços intercelulares. A intensidade de glicoproteínas nos espaços intercelulares do córtex, marcada com os anticorpos MAC 236/265, foi diferente nas duas cultivares de feijão.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of water stress on N2 fixation and nodule structure of two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars Carioca and EMGOPA-201. Plants were harvested after five and eight days of water stress. Carioca had lower nodule dry weight on both water stress periods; shoot dry weight was lower at five days water stress and did not differ from control after eight days stress. Both cultivars had lower nitrogenase activity than control after five and eight days water stress. For both cultivars, after eight days stress bacteroid membranes were damaged. Carioca presented more pronounced damage to infected tissue, with host cell vacuolation and loss of the peribacteroid membrane at five days after stress; at eight days after stress, there was degradation of cytoplasm host cells and senescence of bacteroids, with their release into intercellular spaces. Intensity of immunogold-labeling of intercellular cortical glycoprotein with the monoclonal antibodies MAC 236/265 was different for both cultivars.