ABSTRACTThe low effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizer (N) is a substantial concern that threatens global sugarcane production. The aim of the research reported in this paper was to assess the residual effect of N-fertilizer applied at sugarcane planting over four crop seasons in relation to sugarcane crop yield. Toward this end three field experiments were established in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during February of 2005 and July of 2009, in a randomized block design with four treatments: 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha−1 of N applied as urea during sugarcane planting. Within each plot, a microplot was established to which 15N-labeled urea was applied. The application of N at planting increased plant cane yield in two of the three sites and sucrose content at the other, whereas the only residual effect was higher sucrose content in one of the following ratoons. The combined effect was an increase in sugar yield for three of the 11 crop seasons evaluated. Over the crop cycle of a plant cane and three ratoon crops, only 35 % of the applied N was recovered, split 75, 13, 7 and 5 % in the plant cane, first, second and third ratoons, respectively. These findings document the low efficiency of N recovery by sugarcane, which increases the risk that excessive N fertilization will reduce profitability and have an adverse effect on the environment.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvested without burning provides a substantial amount of remains (trash) on soil profiles which can be decomposed and release nutrients contributing to reduce fertilizer needs. The contribution of nitrogen (N) from sugarcane plant residues and fertilizer in sugarcane nutrition was assessed. Plant cane treatments were micro plots of 15N-labeled urea, sugarcane trash and root system; the last two to simulate the previous crop residues incorporated into the soil after crop renewal. For ratoons, N-ammonium nitrate (N-AN) micro plots, 150 kg ha-1 of N-AN and control (0 kg ha-1) were set up to evaluate the contribution of trash in N supply and quantify the effects of N-fertilizer on N-trash mineralization. The N balances derived from each 15N source were calculated after four crops and resulted in: 15N-urea applied at planting, 31 % was recovered by plant cane, 12 % by the following ratoons, 20 % remained in the soil and 37 % was not found in the soil-system (NOC). For crop residues 15N-trash + roots 26 % was recovered by sugarcane, 51 % remained in soil, and 23 % was NOC. N-fertilizer applied to ratoons nearly doubled the amount of N from green harvest residues recovered by sugarcane; 17 vs. 31 %. Water balances and crop evapotranspiration were correlated with 15N-sources recoveries and cumulative N recovery presented a positive correlation with evapotranspiration (2005 to 2009). The 15N balances indicated that crop residues are supplementary sources of N for sugarcane and may contribute to reduce N fertilizer needs since trash is annually added to the soil.

The area under mechanized sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvesting is expanding in Brazil, increasing the return of trash to the soil. The main questions regarding this management are: (i) after adopting unburned mechanical harvesting, how long will it take to observe decreases in fertilizer requirements, (ii) what will be the magnitude of this decrease and, (iii) the impact in the short run of removing trash for energy purposes in the nutrient cycling? This study aimed to build an N prediction model for long term assessment of the contribution of sugarcane crop residues to sugarcane nutrition and to evaluate the cycling of other nutrients derived from crop residues. Keeping crop residues over the soil will increase soil N stock and N recovery by sugarcane, reaching equilibrium after 40 years with recovery of approximately 40 kg ha-1 year-1 of N. Removing trash for energy production will decrease the potential reduction in N fertilizer requirement. Of the total nutrients in the trash, 75 % of the K2O (81 kg ha-1 year-1) and 50 % of the N (31 kg ha-1 year-1) are in the tops, indicating the importance of maintaining tops in the soil to sustain soil fertility. Because the input data employed in the simulations are representative of the conditions in Southeast Brazil, these results might not be definitive for situations not represented in the experiments used in the study, but the model produced is useful to forecast changes that occur in the soil under different trash management.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade agroindustrial de cana-de-açúcar (produtividades de colmos e sacarose) após sucessivas adubações nitrogenadas de cana-planta e soqueiras, em sistema de preparo reduzido. O experimento foi conduzido em Jaboticabal, SP, em um Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico durante quatro ciclos agrícolas consecutivos (março de 2005 a julho de 2009). Os tratamentos de cana-planta consistiram de doses de N-ureia (controle, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 de N + 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e K2O no sulco de plantio). Na primeira e na segunda soqueiras, as parcelas de cana-planta foram subdivididas em tratamentos de N-nitrato de amônio (controle, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 de N + 150 kg ha-1 de K2O, sobre as fileiras de cana). Na terceira soqueira, a adubação com N foi de 100 kg ha-1 em todas as parcelas, inclusive nos controles, para detectar efeitos residuais das fertilizações anteriores na produtividade do último ciclo. Os colmos de cana foram colhidos mecanicamente. Utilizou-se caminhão instrumentado com balança para avaliação da produtividade de colmos (TCH), e amostras retiradas no campo para análise da quantidade de açúcar dos colmos (TSH). As doses crescentes de N e as condições meteorológicas proporcionam respostas significativas na TCH e na TSH da cana-planta e das soqueiras, na média e na produção acumulada dos ciclos agrícolas consecutivos.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agroindustrial production of sugarcane (millable stalks and sucrose yield) after successive nitrogen fertilizations of plant cane and ratoons in a reduced tillage system. The experiment was carried out at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil, on a Rhodic Eutrustox soil, during four consecutive crop cycles (March 2005 to July 2009). Plant cane treatments consisted of N-urea levels (control, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1 N + 120 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O in furrow application). In the first and second ratoons, the plant cane plots were subdivided in N-ammonium nitrate treatments (control, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 N + 150 kg ha-1 K2O as top dressing over rows). In the third ratoon, N fertilization was leveled to 100 kg ha-1 in all plots, including controls, to detect residual effects of previous fertilizations on the last crop's cycle. Sugarcane ratoon was mechanically harvested. A weighing truck was used to evaluate stalk yield (TCH), and samples were collected in the field for analysis of sugar content (TSH). Increasing N doses and meteorological conditions promote significant responses in TCH and TSH in cane plant and ratoons, in the average and accumulated yield of the consecutive crop cycles.

A principal expectativa no uso de leguminosas em pastagens é a melhoria da produção animal e redução dos custos de produção. O presente experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do uso de dois corretivos de acidez do solo e doses de fósforo sobre os teores de P, Ca, Mg, Si, proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) do Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirão. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, com os tratamentos dispostos em esquema fatorial 5x2, com cinco doses de P (50 mg dm-3, 100 mg dm-3, 200 mg dm-3, 400 mg dm-3 e 800 mg dm-3 de solo) e dois corretivos (calcário dolomítico e silicato de Ca e Mg). Tanto a calagem como a silicatagem, previamente à fosfatagem, foram capazes de garantir teores de P, Mg, Ca, PB, FDN e FDA compatíveis, em plantas de estilosantes Mineirão, com bons desempenhos de animais em pastejo. O aumento do teor de silício no estilosantes Mineirão, decorrente da silicatagem, não reduziu a DIVMS. A substituição do calcário por silicato de Ca e Mg não prejudicou o valor nutritivo do estilosantes Mineirão submetido a doses de fósforo.

The main expectation for using leguminous plants in pastures is improving animal production and reducing production costs. This research was carried out in a greenhouse, in order to evaluate the effect of two soil acidity correctives and P rates on P, Ca, Mg, Si, raw protein (RP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) contents of Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirão. A randomized blocks design was used in a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with five P rates (50 mg dm-3, 100 mg dm-3, 200 mg dm-3, 400 mg dm-3, and 800 mg dm-3 of soil) and two soil correctives (lime and Ca and Mg silicate), with three replications. Both lime and silicate applications, previously to the phosphate fertilization, assured P, Mg, Ca, RP, NDF, and ADF contents, in plants of Mineirão, compatible with good performances of grazing animals. The increase in the silicon content in Mineirão, resulting from silicate application, did not reduce the IVDMD. The substitution of lime by Ca and Mg silicate did not affect the nutritional value of the Mineirão subjected to phosphorus rates.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a recuperação, pela cana-planta, do nitrogênio (15N) proveniente da ureia e de resíduos culturais da palhada e do sistema radicular da cultura da cana (Saccharum spp.) incorporados ao solo. O experimento foi instalado na safra de 2005/2006, com a cultivar SP81-3250. No plantio, foram instaladas microparcelas de 1,5x2 m, em que aplicaram-se doses equivalentes a 80 kg ha-1 de N (ureia com 5,05% de 15N) e 14 Mg ha-1 de resíduos culturais, dos quais 9 Mg ha-1 de palhada (PA) e 5 Mg ha-1 de sistema radicular (SR), marcados com 15N (1,07 e 0,81% de 15N, respectivamente). Durante o ciclo da cultura, determinou-se o acúmulo total de N da planta. Embora o aproveitamento do N oriundo da mineralização dos resíduos culturais (PA e SR) pela parte aérea tenha aumentado expressivamente com o tempo, esta fonte pouco contribuiu para a nutrição da cultura. A recuperação pela cana-planta de 15N-ureia, 15N-PA e 15N-SR foi de 30,3±3,7%, 13,9±4,5% e 6,4±0,9% respectivamente, o que representa 15,9, 4,7 e 1,4% do nitrogênio total acumulado pela parte aérea da cultura.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the recovery, by plant cane, of the nitrogen (15N) from urea and from sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crop residues - straw and root system - incorporated into the soil. The experiment was settled in 2005/2006 with the sugarcane cultivar SP81 3250. At planting, microplots of 2 m length and 1.5 m width were installed, and N applications were done with 80 kg ha-1 N (urea with 5.05% in 15N atoms) and 14 Mg ha-1 crop residues - 9 Mg ha-1 of sugarcane straw (SS) and 5 Mg ha-1 of root system (RS), labeled with 15N (1.07 and 0.81% in 15N atoms, respectively). The total N accumulation by plants was determined during the crop cycle. Although the N use by shoot from crop residue mineralization (PA and SR) increased significantly over time, this source hardly contributed to crop nutrition. The recovery of the 15N-urea, 15N-SS and 15N-RS by plant cane was 30.3±3.7%, 13.9±4.5% and 6.4±0.9%, respectively, representing 15.9, 4.7 and 1.4% of total nitrogen uptake by shoot.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito do uso de dois corretivos de acidez do solo e de doses crescentes de fósforo, sobre a nodulação, produção de matéria seca, acúmulos e teores dos nutrientes nas raízes do estilosantes Mineirão (Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. cv. Mineirão). O experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação com delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5x2, constituído por cinco doses de P (50, 100, 200, 400 e 800 mg dm-3 de solo) e dois tipos de corretivo (calcário dolomítico e silicato de Ca e Mg). A produção de matéria seca de raízes, a nodulação e o acúmulo dos nutrientes P, N, Ca e Zn foram maiores quando a adubação esteve associada ao silicato. Entretanto, a aplicação de doses superiores a 257 mg dm-3 de P na presença de silicato, inibiu o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular do Mineirão, provavelmente por causa de uma interação negativa entre os nutrientes P e Zn, causada pela alta disponibilidade de P.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of two soil correctives and P rates on nodulation, dry matter production, accumulation and content of nutrients in the roots of Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. cv. Mineirão. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse. A randomized blocks design was used in a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with five P rates (50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg dm-3 soil) and two soil correctives (lime and silicate) with three replicates. The dry matter production of roots, nodulation and nutrient accumulation of P, N, Ca and Zn increased with the association between fertilizer and silicate. However, the application of P higher than 257 mg dm-3 in the presence of silicate, inhibit the development of the root system of Mineirão, probably due to a negative interaction between Zn and P nutrients, caused by the high availability of P.

A manutenção da palha de cana-de-açúcar sobre a superfície do solo, após colheita sem queima, pode prejudicar a brotação, o perfilhamento e a produtividade da cultura, principalmente em regiões mais frias, além de contribuir para maiores níveis de infestação por cigarrinhas (Mahanarva fimbriolata). Assim sendo, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o perfilhamento, o acúmulo de biomassa fresca e a produtividade da soqueira de cana-de-açúcar (var. RB855453), bem como a taxa de infestação por cigarrinhas, quando a cultura foi submetida a três sistemas de manejo da palhada: (i.) palha em área total; (ii.) linha descoberta; e (iii.) aleiramento. Em virtude do rigor experimental do teste de Tukey e da representatividade de cada parcela (2.700 m²), concluiu-se que a manutenção da palha de cana-de-açúcar em área total sobre o solo, após colheita sem queima, prejudicou o desenvolvimento da soqueira, que apresentou menor produtividade e biomassa de perfilhos. O aleiramento da palha, embora não tenha contribuído para a variável número de perfilhos, proporcionou maior biomassa de colmos e produtividade, sem diferença para o manejo de linhas descobertas. Identificou-se menor infestação por cigarrinhas no tratamento com linhas descobertas, contudo o nível de controle não foi atingido, de forma que os danos entomológicos não devem ter contribuído para o menor rendimento da cultura quando sob palhada em área total.

Maintaining sugarcane straw over the soil surface after harvest without burning may damage sugarcane sprouting, tillering and crop yield, mainly in cold climate sites, in addition to contributing to higher levels of spittlebug (Mahanarva fimbriolata) infestations. Therefore, this work was developed with the objective of evaluating the tillering, fresh biomass accumulation and yield of sugarcane ratoon (var. RB855453), as well as the infestation level of M. fimbriolata, when the crop was submitted to three different straw management systems: (i.) straw in total area; (ii.) uncovered rows and (iii.) accumulating the straw of three rows in one interrow. As a result of experimental rigor provided by the Tukey test and the size and representativeness of each plot (2700 m²), it was possible to conclude that keeping sugarcane straw over the soil in total area, after harvest without burning, reduced ratoon development, presenting lower yield and tiller biomass. Straw accumulation of three rows in one interrow did not contribute to the number of tillers; however, it promoted higher biomass of tillers and consequently higher yield, without difference for the management of uncovered rows. Lower infestations of M. fimbriolata were identified in the treatment with uncovered rows; however, the control level was not reached and thus, the entomological damages must not have contributed to the lower crop yield under straw in total area.

O estudo foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação do Departamento de Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras-MG, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da correção da acidez do solo, por meio da aplicação de níveis de silicato de Ca e Mg, na produção das gramíneas Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu e Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia-1 cultivadas em solo Neossolo Quartzarênico ortic. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 com quatro repetições, sendo duas forrageiras e cinco níveis de saturação por bases (V% original, 40, 60, 80 e 100%). Cada unidade experimental correspondeu a um vaso sem furos, com capacidade para 4,0 dm³ de solo, totalizando 40 vasos. Foram avaliadas as produções de MS por corte (PMS) e total (PTMS), a altura e o número de perfilhos. Não houve variação entre as gramíneas em altura de perfilhos. O Tanzânia foi superior ao Marandu em PMS e número de perfilhos. Houve aumento linear na PMS, PTMS e altura de perfilhos. Conclui-se que ambas as gramíneas responderam de forma positiva à elevação dos níveis de V%, em PMS, até 54,8%. O Tanzânia produziu mais MS em relação ao Marandu.

This study was conducted in a greenhouse of the Soil Science Department at Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras-MG, with the purpose of evaluating the effect of the soil correction acidity, by the application of Ca and Mg silicate levels, in the production of grasses Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu and Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia-1 cultivated in Quartzsandy Neosoil ortic. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in 2 x 5 factorial scheme with four replicates, being two forages and five levels of base saturation (BS%); (original BS, 40, 60, 80 and 100%). Each experimental unit corresponded to a pot with a capacity of 4.0 dm³ of soil, totalizing 40 pots. The dry matter yield (DMY) for cut and total (TDMY), height and number of tillers were evaluated. There were no variations among the grasses in tiller height. Tanzania grass was superior to Marandu grass in DMY and tiller number. There were linear increases in DMY, TDMY and tiller height as the BS% levels increased. It follows that both grasses responded positively to the rise of BS% in DMY until 54.8%. Tanzania grass produced more DM in relation to Marandu grass.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ocorrência de casos de tuberculose pulmonar em uma unidade de atendimento a farmacodependência no Município de São Paulo. Métodos. Foi realizada uma busca ativa de casos de tuberculose pulmonar em uma amostra intencional de 160 pacientes alcoolistas e usuários de drogas do serviço. Para tanto, foi aplicado um questionário estruturado com dados de história clínico-epidemiológica e para registro dos exames bacteriológicos de escarro e radiologia do tórax realizados. RESULTADOS: De um total de 57 sintomáticos respiratórios, 67% realizaram exame bacteriológico de escarro e, entre eles, não encontramos nenhum caso de tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera. Em nove pacientes alcoolistas com antecedente de tuberculose pulmonar, a radiografia de tórax mostrou infiltrados pulmonares apicais. Para complementar a pesquisa, foi feita uma abordagem buscando traçar o perfil desse serviço e de sua demanda. CONCLUSÃO: Diante das características desse serviço e da sua clientela, concluímos ter havido um viés externo de seleção de pacientes, com os casos de tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera sendo diagnosticados e tratados em outros serviços de saúde, principalmente hospitais.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in a Drug Abuse Treatment Facility in the City of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods. Case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis was carried out in a purposeful sample of 160 alcoholics and drug abuse patients. A closed clinical/epidemiological questionnaire was used to register the results of bacteriologic sputum smear and radiology exams. RESULTS: Of the total of 57 patients with respiratory symptoms, 67% underwent bacteriologic exams and no cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with positive bacteriologic exams were identified. Nine alcoholic patients with a previous history of tuberculosis presented a typical radiological aspect of apical shadows. A complementary study was conducted to identify the features of the facility and of its users in order to explain the results observed in the case-finding. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the features of the facility and patients, we concluded that there was an external bias in patient selection, in which pulmonary tuberculosis cases confirmed by bacteriology were being diagnosed and treated in other health care facilities, mainly hospitals. Finally we discussed the case-finding methodology used in face of the specificity of the object researched and previous knowledge on case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ocorrência de casos de tuberculose pulmonar em uma unidade de atendimento a farmacodependência no Município de São Paulo. Métodos. Foi realizada uma busca ativa de casos de tuberculose pulmonar em uma amostra intencional de 160 pacientes alcoolistas e usuários de drogas do serviço. Para tanto, foi aplicado um questionário estruturado com dados de história clínico-epidemiológica e para registro dos exames bacteriológicos de escarro e radiologia do tórax realizados. RESULTADOS: De um total de 57 sintomáticos respiratórios, 67% realizaram exame bacteriológico de escarro e, entre eles, não encontramos nenhum caso de tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera. Em nove pacientes alcoolistas com antecedente de tuberculose pulmonar, a radiografia de tórax mostrou infiltrados pulmonares apicais. Para complementar a pesquisa, foi feita uma abordagem buscando traçar o perfil desse serviço e de sua demanda. CONCLUSÃO: Diante das características desse serviço e da sua clientela, concluímos ter havido um viés externo de seleção de pacientes, com os casos de tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera sendo diagnosticados e tratados em outros serviços de saúde, principalmente hospitais.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in a Drug Abuse Treatment Facility in the City of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods. Case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis was carried out in a purposeful sample of 160 alcoholics and drug abuse patients. A closed clinical/epidemiological questionnaire was used to register the results of bacteriologic sputum smear and radiology exams. RESULTS: Of the total of 57 patients with respiratory symptoms, 67% underwent bacteriologic exams and no cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with positive bacteriologic exams were identified. Nine alcoholic patients with a previous history of tuberculosis presented a typical radiological aspect of apical shadows. A complementary study was conducted to identify the features of the facility and of its users in order to explain the results observed in the case-finding. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the features of the facility and patients, we concluded that there was an external bias in patient selection, in which pulmonary tuberculosis cases confirmed by bacteriology were being diagnosed and treated in other health care facilities, mainly hospitals. Finally we discussed the case-finding methodology used in face of the specificity of the object researched and previous knowledge on case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Indústrias que submetem material terroso a altas temperaturas como a de cerâmicas, emitem fluoretos para a atmosfera na forma de gás, particulado ou ácido fluorídrico. Em experimentos de milho (Zea mays L.), do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras (SP), as plantas apresentaram sintomas que evoluíam de uma descoloração do limbo foliar até o secamento marginal das folhas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os teores foliares de flúor (F) na cultura do milho com sintomas de toxicidade causados por fluoretos atmosféricos emitidos por uma indústria cerâmica vizinha, e possíveis diferenças entre as cultivares de milho quanto à severidade desses sintomas. Em um experimento atribuíram-se notas relativas ao grau de injúria das folhas de 22 cultivares e, em outro, foi feita determinação de F em três cultivares de milho semeadas a 350 e 1.000 metros de distância daquela indústria. Os teores foliares de F nas folhas de milho estavam altos nas duas distâncias. Para o milho "safrinha" os teores chegaram até quatro vezes acima do teor crítico, variando entre 126 e 160 mg.kg-1. Constataram-se diferenças entre as cultivares de milho quanto à severidade de sintomas, mas não foi possível estabelecer correlação com danos na produtividade.

The emission of fluoride gases, particles or fluoridric acid is commonly observed in industries that submit terrigenous materials to high temperatures, such as in the ceramic industry. Unusual abnormalities in leaves of adult plants that have been suspected to be fluorine toxicity have been observed in corn experiments carried out in the Center of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil. The symptoms in the corn leaves started as discolouring of internerval cells of completed developed leaves followed by marginal burning of its tips. The objectives of this work was to evaluate the amount of fluorine (F) in corn leaves with injury symptoms, probably from airborne fluorides nearby a ceramic industry, and to verify differences among corn cultivars for the symptoms severity. Leaf analysis in samples collected in corn plants growing 350 and 1.000 m far from a ceramic industry confirmed fluorine concentration as high as four times the normal, ranging from 126 to 160 mg kg-1. Although the genotypes in those two experimental fields showed distinct reactions, it was not possible to correlate any reduction in production with severity of symptoms.