ABSTRACT. This study was performed to investigate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on the physical properties of tropical sandy soil after seven years of CTS application. CTS was applied to a Fluvisol at five rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 Mg ha-1) in experimental plots (sized 20 m2) with four replications. Water infiltration into the soil was determined in the field with the concentric-ring infiltrometer method. Bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, and microporosity were determined in the soil samples. The permanent CTS application altered the physical properties of the soil and led to a decrease in bulk density. The total porosity, microporosity and macroporosity values in the CTS-applied soil ranged from 44.1-51.7, 34.6-39.4, and 9.1-12.8%, respectively. Water-infiltration rates were significantly influenced by CTS. The cumulative infiltrated water in the soil varied from 21.3-34.7 cm. The basic infiltration rate was lower in the unamended soil and increased with an increase in the rate of CTS application. This study confirmed that the physical soil parameters improved after the permanent CTS application. Therefore, this application may be a suitable strategy for improving physical soil properties over time.

ABSTRACT Chromium contamination in soils affects plant growth and this metal can accumulate in plants tissues. In addition, Cr can affect soil microbial biomass and activity. On the other hand, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can protect plants against metals and, at the same time, promote plant growth and could alleviate adverse effects on microbial biomass. This study evaluated five PGPR on maize growth, Cr accumulation and soil microbial biomass in a Cr-contaminated soil. Five PGPR (LCC04, LCC41, LCC69, LCC81 and IPA403), isolated from soil under permanent application of composted tannery sludge and contaminated with Cr, were inoculated in maize plants grown in soils with (+Cr) and without (–Cr) Cr. In Cr-contaminated soil, LCC41 promoted the highest growth of maize, while LCC04 contributed with the highest N accumulation. The shoots of maize accumulated less Cr with LCC81, while LCC41 contributed to the highest Cr accumulation in roots. The translocation of Cr was highest with IPA403, while LCC81 contributed to reduce Cr translocation. In conclusion, LCC41 and LCC81 could be effective as PGPR inoculants to promote plant growth and reduce Cr accumulation in maize, respectively, in Cr contaminated soil.

RESUMO Avanços tecnológicos para melhorar a etapa de semeadura de forrageiras são importantes, pois, além de aumentarem a eficiência na operação, podem proporcionar ganhos no crescimento da planta. Objetivou-se avaliar a inoculação de Bacillus subtilis em sementes de Urochloa brizantha, utilizando-se procedimentos de revestimento, condicionamento fisiológico e armazenamento, bem como seus efeitos na germinação e no crescimento das plantas. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 × 3 × 5 + 1 [dois procedimentos de inoculação (revestimento e condicionamento), três inoculantes (B. subtilis AP-3, B. subtilis PRBS-1 e sem bactérias), cinco períodos de armazenamento (0, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias) e controle (sementes nuas)], com cinco repetições. Foram utilizados dois lotes de sementes de U. brizantha, caracterizados como de maior e menor viabilidade. Após os tratamentos, parte das sementes foi utilizada para avaliar a promoção de crescimento de plantas em casa-de-vegetação, durante 180 dias, e o restante foi armazenado sob temperatura de 15 ºC, com avaliação da germinação a cada 30 dias, durante 120 dias. O condicionamento fisiológico apresentou melhor desempenho nas avaliações efetuadas para sementes de U. brizantha com B. subtilis. O revestimento e o condicionamento nas sementes de U. brizantha com menor viabilidade, com e sem inoculação de bactérias, aumenta a massa da parte aérea nas plantas após 180 dias de crescimento.

ABSTRACT Technological advances for improving the sowing stage of forage plants are important because, besides increasing the operation efficiency, they may also positively affect the plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate the inoculation of Bacillus subtilis in Urochloa brizantha seeds, using coating, physiological conditioning and storage procedures, as well as to observe its effects on seed storage and plant growth. A completely randomized design, in a 2 × 3 × 5 + 1 factorial scheme [two inoculation procedures (coating and conditioning), three inoculants (B. subtilis AP-3, B. subtilis PRBS-1 and without bacteria), five storage periods (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days) and control (bare seeds)], with five replicates, was used. Two lots of U. brizantha seeds were used, characterized as being of higher and lower viability. After the treatments, part of the seeds was employed to evaluate the plant growth promotion in a greenhouse, during 180 days, while the remaining portion was stored at a temperature of 25 ºC, with the seed germination being evaluated every 30 days, for 120 days. The physiological conditioning showed the best performance in the evaluations carried out for U. brizantha seeds with B. subtilis. The coating and conditioning of the U. brizantha seeds with lower viability, both with and without the inoculation of bacteria, increases the shoot mass of plants after 180 days of growth.

Abstract We used 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the archaeal communities across a gradient of Cerrado. The archaeal communities differed across the gradient. Crenarcheota was the most abundant phyla, with Nitrosphaerales and NRPJ as the predominant classes. Euryachaeota was also found across the Cerrado gradient, including the classes Metanocellales and Methanomassiliicoccaceae.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a resposta bioquímica do milho, sob stresse salino, inoculado com Bacillus subtilis. Quatro níveis de salinidade foram avaliados: 0mM, 50mM, 100mM e 200mM de cloreto de sódio (NaCl). Condições salinas influenciaram negativamente o crescimento do milho. Entretanto, a inoculação com B. subtilis melhorou o crescimento das plantas no maior nível de NaCl. O teor de clorofila decresceu enquanto que a prolina aumentou em plantas submetidas aos níveis salinos e inoculadas com B. subtilis. B. subtilis também aumentou o conteúdo de agua foliar. A inoculação com B. subtilis promove melhor crescimento das plantas sob salinidade e atenua os danos bioquímicos no milho.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical responses of maize, under saline stress, inoculated with Bacillus subtilis. Four levels of salinity were assessed: 0mM, 50mM, 100mM, and 200mM of sodium chloride (NaCl). Saline conditions influenced negatively maize growth. However, the inoculation of B. subtilis improved the plant growth at highest level of NaCl. Chlorophyll content decreased while proline increased in inoculated plants submitted to highest salt levels. Also, B. subtilis increased the relative water content in leaves. B. subtilis improves the plant growth under salinity and ameliorates the biochemical damages in maize.