RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) em solo rizosférico de videiras com sintomas de declínio e morte da videira (D) e em plantas saudáveis (S), e caracterizar a relação das comunidades de FMA com atributos químicos do solo. O número de esporos de FMA variou de 287 a 432 esporos 50 cm-3 em solo em plantas D, e de 357 a 464 esporos 50 cm-3 em plantas S, sem diferenças entre vinhedos ou entre plantas D e S dentro de cada vinhedo. Detectamos 42 espécies e 17 gêneros, sendo que a maioria dos táxons pertencia a Acaulosporaceae ou Glomeraceae. Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Funneliformis mosseae e Archaeospora trappei foram as espécies mais frequentes em todos os vinhedos. Os atributos químicos do solo não foram determinantes para a ocorrência da maioria das espécies de fungos, embora Entrophospora infrequens, Diversispora sp1 e Diversispora sp2 estivessem associados a um vinhedo com alto teor de cobre do solo. Os vinhedos abrigam comunidades FMA altamente diversificadas, que são determinadas pela localização.

ABSTRACT: This research identified arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in rhizosphere soil of grapevines with Grapevine Death and Decline symptoms (GDD) or asymptomatic healthy (H) plants, and characterized the relationship of AMF communities with soil chemical attributes. The AMF spore number ranged from 287 to 432 spores 50 cm-3 in soil with GDD plants, and from 357 to 464 spores 50 cm-3 in H plants, with no differences among vineyards or between GDD and H plants within each vineyard. We detected 42 species and 17 genera, and most taxa belonged to Acaulosporaceae or Glomeraceae. Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Funneliformis mosseae, and Archaeospora trappei were the most frequent species in all vineyards. Soil chemical attributes were not determinant for the occurrence of most fungal species; although, Entrophospora infrequens, Diversispora sp1 and Diversispora sp2 were associated with a vineyard having high soil copper. Vineyards harbor highly diverse AMF communities, which are determined by location.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alterações nas propriedades químicas do solo e o limite crítico ambiental para o fósforo (LCA-P), em vinhedos da região sul do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Amostras de solo foram coletadas às profundidades do solo 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm, em vinhedos com 22, 36 e 60 anos de idade, e em uma área de mata nativa adjacente utilizada como referência. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados: granulometria, pH em água, e teores trocáveis de Al, para cálculo de acidez potencial e saturação por Al; e teores disponíveis de P e K e teores trocáveis de Ca e Mg, para determinação de saturação por bases, capacidade de troca de cátions e matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). Em comparação ao solo da mata, os solos dos vinhedos apresentaram aumento nos valores de pH, nos níveis de P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn e MOS, e na saturação por bases, além de redução na saturação de Al, com efeitos mais acentuados nas áreas com maior tempo de cultivo. Os vinhedos da região sul de Santa Catarina apresentam alterações nas propriedades químicas do solo, com o tempo, e teores de P acima do LCA-P, pelo menos em uma das camadas do solo.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in the soil chemical properties and the critical environmental limit for phosphorus (CEL-P) in vineyards, in the southern region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Soil samples were collected at 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm soil depths, in vineyards aged 22, 36, and 60 years, and in the area of an adjacent native forest. The following parameters were analyzed: granulometry, pH in water, and exchangeable Al levels, to obtain potential acidity and Al saturation; and available levels of P and K, and exchangeable levels of Ca and Mg, to determine base saturation, cation exchange capacity; and soil organic matter (SOM). In comparison with the forest soil, the vineyard soils showed increased pH values, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and SOM levels, and base saturation, as well reduced Al saturation, with more accentuated effects in areas with the longest cultivation time. The vineyards show changes in soil chemical properties with time and P levels above the CEL-P, at least in one of the soil layers.

RESUMO: A cebola é uma importante cultura vegetal, cultivada predominantemente sob sistema de preparo convencional. Como alternativa, o sistema de plantio direto de hortaliças utiliza culturas de cobertura para formar uma camada de biomassa, o que melhora os atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos do solo. Com o objetivo de entender a interação de culturas de cobertura micorrízicas e não-micorrízicas, atividade da fosfatase ácida e disponibilidade e absorção de fósforo do solo pelas plantas, foi realizado um experimento em sistema de plantio direto de hortaliças com a cultura da cebola em Ituporanga, sul do Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: aveia preta (Avena strigosa); centeio (Secale cereale); nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus); centeio + nabo forrageiro; aveia preta + nabo forrageiro e um controle com vegetação espontânea. Além disso, duas outras parcelas, uma área em sistema de preparo convencional e uma floresta, ambas adjacentes ao experimento, foram avaliadas. Medimos a biomassa da cultura de cobertura, o rendimento de cebola, a atividade de fosfatase ácida e o fósforo extraído por resina no solo, bem como o conteúdo de fósforo da parte aérea e da raiz e a colonização das raízes em plantas de cobertura, plantas espontâneas e cebolas. Os tratamentos com plantas de cobertura apresentaram a maior biomassa de culturas de cobertura e rendimento de cebola. A atividade de fosfatase ácida e fósforo disponível no solo foram maiores nas parcelas de plantio direto do que na área convencional. A presença de nabo forrageiro, uma planta não micorrízica, foi associada a reduções na colonização de raízes de centeio e cebola por fungos micorrízicos arbusculares. As áreas de plantio direto com plantas de cobertura ou plantas espontâneas no inverno acumularam mais fósforo do que as áreas com preparo convencional. O sistema convencional de lavoura mostrou efeitos adversos para a maioria dos atributos do solo, como mostra a Análise de Componentes Principais.

ABSTRACT: Onion is an important vegetable crop, predominantly grown under conventional tillage system management. Alternatively, the vegetable no-tillage system uses cover crops to form a residue layer, which improves soil physical, chemical, and biological attributes. Aiming to understand the interaction of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal cover crops, phosphatase activity, and soil phosphorus availability and uptake by plants, a no-tillage vegetable production system experiment with onion was carried out in Ituporanga, Southern Brazil. The treatments were black oats (Avena strigosa); rye (Secale cereale); oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus); rye + oilseed radish; black oats + oilseed radish, and a control with spontaneous plants. Additionally, two plots, a conventional tillage system area and a forest, both adjacent to the experiment, were evaluated. We measured cover crop biomass, onion yield, acid phosphatase activity, and resin-extracted phosphorus in the soil, shoot and root phosphorus content, and root colonization in cover crops, spontaneous plants, and onions. The treatments with cover crops had the highest plant biomass in winter and onion yield. Available soil phosphorus and acid phosphatase activity were higher in no-tillage plots than in the conventional tillage system area. The presence of non-mycorrhizal oilseed radish was associated with decreased colonization of rye and onion roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. No-tillage areas with cover crops or spontaneous plants in winter accumulated more phosphorus than conventional tillage system areas. The conventional tillage system showed adverse effects on most soil attributes, as shown by a Principal Component Analysis.

RESUMO: A biomassa microbiana é determinante na dinâmica da matéria orgânica do solo e sua atividade é um indicador de qualidade do solo em agroecossistemas, refletindo mudanças em práticas de manejo e em condições ambientais. Avaliou-se o efeito de culturas de cobertura de inverno, solteiras ou consorciadas, sobre atributos químicos do solo, carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal (RB), quociente metabólico (qCO2) e atividade das enzimas urease, β-glucosidase e FDA, bem como o rendimento da cebola em um sistema de plantio direto. O solo é um Cambissolo Húmico alumínico, os tratamentos foram testemunha com vegetação espontânea, cevada, centeio, nabo forrageiro (NF), NF + centeio e NF + cevada. Realizaram-se cinco coletas de amostras de solo (0-10 cm) entre junho a dezembro. Não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos para CBM e RB, e os maiores valores para esses atributos ocorreram em junho, quando as plantas de cobertura estavam em seu estágio inicial. Embora o qCO2 não tenha sido afetado por nenhum tratamento, ele variou entre os períodos de amostragem, com valores entre 0,62 e 10 µg de C-CO2 mg-1 MBC h-1, indicando um ambiente de baixo ou nenhum estresse. As culturas de cobertura tiveram pouca influência na atividade enzimática, mas o FDA foi reduzido em áreas com cultivos solteiros de cevada ou centeio. O rendimento médio de cebola nos tratamentos com culturas de cobertura foi de 13,01 (Mg ha-1), mais alto que no tratamento controle.

ABSTRACT: Microbial biomass is a driving force in the dynamics of soil organic matter, and microbial activity is an indicator of soil quality in agroecosystems, reflecting changes in management practices and environmental conditions. We evaluated the effect of monoculture and intercropped winter cover crops on soil chemical attributes, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis activity, as well as onion yield in a no-tillage system. Soil is a Typic Humudept, and treatments were control with spontaneous vegetation, barley, rye, oilseed radish (OR), OR + rye, and OR + barley. The soil was sampled (0-10 cm) five times between June and December. There were no differences among treatments for MBC and BR, and the highest values for those attributes occurred in June, when cover plants were in their initial stage. Although, qCO2 was not affected by any treatment, it varied among sampling periods, ranging from 0.62 to 10 µg C-CO2 mg-1 MBC h-1, indicating a low- or no stress environment. Cover crops had little influence on enzyme activity, but FDA was lowered in areas with single crops of barley and rye. Average onion yield in cover crops treatments was 13.01 (Mg ha-1), 30-40% higher than in the control treatment.

RESUMO: Os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) desempenham um papel importante no crescimento das plantas, no entanto, não há relatos de inoculantes legais baseados em AMF para culturas agrícolas no Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência agronômica de um inoculante a base de Rhizophagus intraradices em combinação com a adubação fosfatada no rendimento de grãos de milho sob diferentes condições edafoclimáticas no Brasil. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em cinco estados brasileiros (Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina) em esquema fatorial 2 x 3, com dois tratamentos de inoculação (sementes inoculadas e não inoculadas) e três doses de adubação fosfatada (0, 50 e 100% do P recomendado). No final do ciclo da cultura (estágios R4-R5), a inoculação proporcionou aumentos na biomassa (média de 48%), independentemente da dose aplicada de P, maior absorção de P e aumento médio de 54% no rendimento de grãos. Conclui-se que o inoculante micorrízico arbuscular aumenta a produção de biomassa, a absorção de P e a produtividade de grãos de milho em diferentes condições edafoclimáticas no Brasil, especialmente em solos que originalmente apresentavam níveis baixos ou médios de P.

ABSTRACT: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in plant growth. However, there are no reports of legally commercialized AMF-based inoculants for agricultural crops in Brazil. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of a Rhizophagus intraradices inoculant in combination with phosphate fertilization in grain yield of corn under different edaphoclimatic conditions in Brazil. Experiments were conducted in five Brazilian states (Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme, with two inoculation treatments (inoculated and non-inoculated seeds) and three doses of phosphate fertilization (0, 50 and 100% of the recommended P). At the end of the crop cycle (stages R4-R5), inoculation provided increases in biomass (average of 48%) regardless of the applied dose of P, higher P absorption, and 54% average increase in grain yield. In conclusion, the mycorrhizal inoculant increases biomass yield, P uptake and corn grain yield under different edaphoclimatic conditions in Brazil, especially in soils that originally had low or medium levels of available P.

ABSTRACT The use of cover crops and poultry manure (PM) is an alternative to reduce the use of synthetic inputs and can contribute to the nutrient cycling in onions ( Allium cepa L.) grown under a no-tillage system. However, this management practice may contribute to an increase in N2O emissions to the atmosphere. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immediate effect on N2O emissions of adding PM onto cover crop residues and to verify the effect of different no-tillage systems on N2O emissions. Two studies (laboratory and field) were conducted with the addition of oilseed radish (OR), black oat (BO), and weed (WD) residues with and without PM under a no-tillage (NT) system. Emission of N2O (kg ha-1) was influenced by the different residue-management systems and was higher in treatments with OR residues (2.96 ± 0.67 kg ha-1 for OR and 5.28 ± 1.04 kg ha-1 for OR + PM). The other treatments behaved similarly with emissions of approximately 1.91 ± 0.17 kg ha-1 of N-N2O. The highest N2O emissions in the field study were found within the first 15 days and represented 50.3 % of the average emissions. Poultry manure showed high emissions when the cover crop was OR, but not when it was BO and WD.

ABSTRACT Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content in granulometric fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) are sensitive indicators of soil quality changes caused by management systems. This study evaluated the C and N content in granulometric fractions of SOM of aggregates, an Inceptisol under onion grown in no-till vegetable farming systems (NTVFS) and conventional tillage systems (CTS), comparing them to a secondary forest. Treatments consisted of soil cover crops, monocropped and intercropped with onions grown under NTVFS: spontaneous vegetation, 100% black oats; 100% rye; 100% oilseed radish; oilseed (14%) + rye (86%) intercrop and oilseed (14%) + oats (86%) intercrop. The same evaluations were also performed in an area with onions grown under CTS for ± 37 years, and in secondary forest (± 30 years). Undeformed soil samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm deep soil layers, and aggregates were subsequently separated (8.00 mm > Ø ≥ 2.0 mm). Organic C (OC) and N of the granulometric fractions contents were quantified in aggregates, which were subdivided into particulate fractions (POC and PN) and mineral-associated fractions (OCam and Nam). NTVFS promoted protection of SOM at the 0-5 cm depth compared to CTS, as a result of higher POC content. Intercropped oats+oilseed and spontaneous vegetation contributed to an increase in PN content compared to all other treatments under NTVFS. Monocropped and intercroppped oilseed radish caused an increase in Nam, which was more effective than OCam to indicate differences among the systems. Conversion of areas from CTS to NTVFS promotes increases in POC and PN content in the upper soil layer. NTVFS improves the quality of aggregates, and it may reduce damage caused by CTS.

RESUMEN El contenido de carbono (C) y nitrógeno (N) en las fracciones granulométricas de la materia orgánica del suelo (MOS) es un indicador sensible de los cambios en la calidad del suelo causados por los sistemas de manejo. Este estudio evaluó el contenido de Cy N en fracciones granulométricas de la MOS de agregados, en un Inceptisol bajo cebolla cultivada en sistema de cultivo de vegetales sin labranza (SCVSL) y sistema de labranza convencional (SLC), comparándolos con un bosque secundario. Los tratamientos consistieron en cultivos de cobertura del suelo, monocultivos y consorciados con cebollas cultivadas bajo SCVSL: vegetación espontánea, 100% de avena negra; 100% de centeno; 100% nabo forrajero; consorcio de nabo (14%) + centeno (86%), consorcio de nabo (14%) + avena (86%). Las mismas evaluaciones se realizaron en un área con cebollas cultivadas bajo SLC durante ± 37 años, y en un bosque secundario (± 30 años). Se recogieron muestras de suelo no deformadas de capas de suelo de 0-5, 5-10 y 10-20 cm de profundidad, y los agregados se separaron posteriormente (8.00 mm> Ø ≥ 2.0 mm). Las cantidades de C orgánico (CO) y N de las fracciones granulométricas se cuantificaron en agregados, que se subdividieron en fracciones particuladas (PCO y PN) y fracciones asociadas con minerales (COam y Nam). SCVSL promovió la protección de MOS a una profundidad de 0-5 cm en comparación con SLC, como resultado de un mayor contenido de POC. La avena consorciada con nabo y la vegetación espontánea contribuyeron a un aumento en el contenido de PN en comparación con todos los otros tratamientos bajo SCVSL. El nabo forrajero en monocultivo y consorciado causó un aumento en Nam, que fue más efectivo que el COam para indicar diferencias entre los sistemas. La conversión de áreas de SLC a SCVSL promueve aumentos en el contenido de PCO y PN en la capa superior del suelo. SCVSL mejora la calidad de los agregados, y puede reducir el daño causado por SLC.

RESUMO: Solos cultivados com videiras possuem alto teor de cobre (Cu) disponível, que pode ser tóxico às plantas de cobertura do solo que coabitam vinhedos, como a aveia preta. O estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da calagem na redução da toxidez por Cu em plantas de aveia preta cultivadas em solo arenoso. Amostras de um Argissolo Vermelho foram coletadas na camada de 0-20cm, secas e submetidas à adição de duas doses de Cu (0 e 50Mg kg-1) e três de calcário (0, 1,5 e 3,0Mg ha-1). O solo foi acondicionado em rhizobox e submetido ao cultivo de aveia preta durante 30 dias. Avaliaram-se a produção de matéria seca das raízes e da parte aérea, o teor de cobre (Cu), cálcio (Ca) e magnésio (Mg) nos tecidos; o teor de Cu no simplasto e apoplasto das raízes, e os teores de Cu, de carbono e valores de pH no solo rizosférico e não rizosférico. A aplicação de calcário reduziu a toxidez por Cu na aveia preta. O Cu foi preferencialmente acumulado nas raízes, especialmente no apoplasto, o que pode ser resultado de mecanismo de tolerância das plantas para evitar o transporte de parte do elemento para a parte aérea.

ABSTRACT: Soils which are cultivated with grapevines have high available copper (Cu) content, which can be toxic to cover crops cohabiting vineyards, such as black oats. This study aimed to assess the effect of liming in reducing Cu toxicity in black oats grown in sandy soils. Samples of a Typic Hapludalf were collected at 0-20cm, dried and subjected to the addition of Cu (0 to 50Mg kg-1) and limestone (0, 1.5, and 3.0Mg ha-1). The soil was placed in a rhizobox and black oats were grown for 30 days. We assessed root and shoot dry matter production, copper (Cu), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents in the tissues; Cu content in the root symplast and apoplast, as well as Cu, carbon and pH values in the rhizosphere and bulk soil. Liming reduced Cu toxicity in black oats. Cu was preferentially accumulated in the roots, mostly in the apoplast, which may be the result of a plant tolerance mechanism to prevent the transport of Cu to the shoots.

Abstract The aim of this research was to evaluate the physical attributes of Cambisol in apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Gala) orchard under different weed management systems in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. The treatments were as follows: control (no weed management), chemical desiccation and mowing. We took samples of undisturbed soil at depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20 cm. We evaluated hydraulic conductivity (HC); bulk density (BD); soil penetration resistance (Pr); total porosity (TP), macropores (MaP), micropores (MiP); soil aggregation indices such as arithmetic and geometric mean diameter of air-dried and water-stable aggregates (AMDad, AMDws, GMDad, GMDws, respectively); aggregate stability index (ASIAMD and ASIGMD) and volumetric water content (VWC). We also carried out principal component analysis (PCA) with the data. The mowing or desiccation treatments increased BD at the 15-20 cm depth compared to control. The mowing treatment had the highest ASIGMD while desiccation contributed to the lowest ASIGMD. The desiccation treatment decreased AMDws (0-10 cm), ASIAMD (0-5 cm) GMDws (5-10 cm) and reduced HC by 26% and 22%, respectively, compared to the mowing and control treatments. Through PCA we were able to separate the three treatments. The mowing treatment was correlated with HC, VWC at pressure of 600 kPa and ASIGMD; desiccation was correlated with BD and Pr; and control with ASIAMD, MaP and TP.

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os atributos físicos de Cambissolo em pomar de macieira (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Gala) em Santa Catarina, Brasil, submetido a diferentes manejos das plantas espontâneas. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: testemunha (sem manejo das espontâneas), dessecação química e roçada. Foram coletadas amostras indeformadas de solo nas profundidades de 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 e 15-20 cm, nas quais foram avaliadas a condutividade hidráulica (CH); densidade do solo (Ds); resistência do solo à penetração (Rp); porosidade total (PT), macroporos (MaP), microporos (MiP); índices de agregação do solo, sendo o diâmetro médio aritmético e geométrico dos agregados secos ao ar e estáveis em água (DMAsa, DMAea, DMGsa, DMGea, respectivamente); índice de estabilidade de agregados (IEADMA e IEADMG) e umidade volumétrica (UV). Também realizou-se uma análise de componentes principais (ACP) com os dados obtidos. O manejo com roçada ou dessecação aumentou a Ds (15-20 cm) quando comparado com a testemunha. O tratamento roçada foi responsável por apresentar o maior IEADMG, enquanto a dessecação contribui para o menor IEADMG. O manejo com a dessecação diminuiu o DMAea (0-10 cm), IEADMA (0-5 cm), DMGea (5-10 cm) e reduziu a CH em 26% e 22%, respectivamente, em relação à roçada e testemunha. Por meio da ACP foi possível separar os três tratamentos avaliados, sendo o manejo com a roçada correlacionado com a CH, UV na tensão de 600 kPa e IEADMG; a dessecagem correlacionado com DS e RP; e a testemunha correlacionada com IEADMA, MaP e PT.

RESUMO Os efeitos do novo Código Florestal Brasileiro (CFB) - Lei Federal n. 12.651 (BRASIL, 2012) - ainda estão sendo avaliados e discutidos quanto à adequação de propriedades rurais à legislação ambiental, tanto nas questões de recuperação de áreas degradadas quanto em relação às possibilidades de uso sustentável das áreas de preservação permanente (APP) e de Reserva Legal (RL). O objetivo do trabalho foi construir e aplicar indicadores ambientais de avaliação para verificar o desempenho ambiental de propriedades rurais familiares, considerando alternativas que o produtor deve seguir para se adequar às legislações ambientais e, também, verificando as condutas favoráveis ao não cometimento de infrações ou crimes ambientais. Foram estabelecidos indicadores ambientais de avaliação propostos a partir de parâmetros da legislação, os quais foram utilizados na análise de propriedades rurais conduzidas sob sistemas de produção orgânica (SPO) ou convencional (SPC). As propriedades rurais conduzidas em SPO apresentaram melhores resultados quanto aos indicadores ambientais de avaliação tanto das áreas de RL quanto das APPs, predominando o caráter essencialmente preservacionista nas propriedades rurais. Houve baixa ocorrência de casos de manejo agroflorestal ou agroextrativismo tanto nas áreas de RL quanto de APP das propriedades rurais avaliadas nos dois sistemas de produção. Os indicadores ambientais construídos a partir da legislação ambiental demonstraram ser uma ferramenta eficiente, prática e de baixo custo, para os técnicos e agricultores assim como na identificação de situações positivas de manejo em relação à adequação às leis ambientais.

ABSTRACT There is an ongoing discussion about the effects of the new Brazilian forestry code (BFC) - Federal Law # 12.651 (BRASIL, 2012) - on the adequacy of small family farms, in terms of environmental degradation and recovery of forestry areas or regarding the possibilities of sustainable management of Permanent Preservation (PPA) or Legal Reserve (RL) areas. The aim of this work was to select and apply environmental evaluation indicators to analyze the environmental performance of small family farms, considering alternatives that the farmers should follow to comply with the laws and not to commit environmental crimes, in accordance with the Brazilian environmental legislation. We established environmental evaluation indicators taken from Brazilian environmental law parameters, which were tested in family farms with organic (SPO) or conventional (SPC) management systems. The organic family farms presented better results in terms of environmental evaluation indicators, either on APP or on RL areas Preservationist management was predominat on LR and on APP, in organic and in conventional production systems, and there were only a few occurrences of agroforestry systems or non-timber forest managements. The environmental evaluation indicators designed from aspects of Brazilian environmental law showed to be an efficient, practical and inexpensive tool to help technicians and farmers to identify positive situations of compliance to Brazilian environmental laws.

ABSTRACT Grapevine decline and death caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. herbemontis is among the main phytosanitary problem for viticulture in southern Brazil. The eradication of infected plants is presently the most common procedure for disease control in vineyards. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is an option to reduce or neutralize the negative impacts of soil pathogenic microorganisms, but the mechanisms of plant response involved in this process are not yet completely elucidated. In order to better understand these mechanisms, an experiment was carried out to identify proteins related to plant defence induced by the mycorrhizal fungus after infection with the pathogenic fungus. We used the grapevine rootstocks SO4 and R110 (susceptible and resistant to the pathogenic fungus, respectively) inoculated or not inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, and inoculated or not inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. herbemontis. Growth of the rootstocks’ shoot and root and presence of pathogenic symptoms were evaluated. The protein profiles of roots were characterized by two-dimensional electrophoresis and proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. The grapevine rootstocks inoculated with R. irregularis had higher biomass production and lower level of pathogenic symptoms. The R110 rootstock differentially accumulated 73 proteins, while SO4 accumulated 59 proteins. Nine plant-defence proteins were expressed by SO4 rootstock, and six were expressed by R110 rootstock plants. The results confirm the effect of mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth promotion and their potential for biological control against soil pathogenic fungus. Protein expression is dependent on rootstock characteristics and on the combination of plant material with the fungi.

ABSTRACT Nutrients present in soil aggregates are essential for maintaining the productive capacity of agroecosystems and environmental quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical properties of macroaggregates of a Humic Dystrudept cultivated with onions under a no-till vegetable system (NTVS) compared to the conventional tillage system (CTS) and a forest area in Ituporanga, SC, Brazil. The treatments consisted of the following single and mixed cover crops with onion under the NTVS: spontaneous vegetation, 100 % black oats, 100 % rye, 100 % oilseed radish, intercropped oilseed radish (14 %) + rye (86 %), and intercropped oilseed radish (14 %) + black oat (86 %). Additionally, we evaluated two areas, one with onion grown under the CTS for ±37 years and an area under forest for ±30 years, both adjacent to the experiment. Five years after implementation of the treatments with cover crops, we collected undisturbed soil samples at depths of 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m, and we obtained macroaggregates (8.00 mm > Ø ≥ 2.0 mm). We analyzed total organic carbon (TOC), pH in water, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, H+Al, K+, and P in the macroaggregates. The conversion of onion-growing areas from the CTS to the NTVS after five years increases TOC, pH, Ca, Mg, and K in soil macroaggregates at the depth of 0.00-0.05 m. There is increased K content in the macroaggregates of soil under the NTVS at all depths evaluated in this study compared to the CTS. The use of millet in the CTS increases P content at depth (0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m). Intercropping black oat + oilseed radish increases Ca content at the 0.10-0.20 m depth in comparison to the black oat, rye + oilseed radish, and control treatments, and increases Mg content as well, compared to the other cover crops at the depths of 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m.

RESUMO: A fertilização com dejetos suínos é uma prática comum, porém, pouco se conhece acerca de seus impactos sobre a atividade microbiana do solo e a matéria orgânica. Com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta da microbiota do solo, após nove anos de aplicações sucessivas de dejetos suínos, foram mensurados o carbono orgânico total (TOC), nitrogênio total (TN), pH, carbono da biomassa microbiana (MBC), respiração basal (BR), quociente metabólico (qCO2) e a atividade enzimática (ß-glucosidase, fosfatase, arilsulfatase, e FDA), avaliações feitas na camada de 0 a 10cm de profundidade em um solo sob plantio direto. Os tratamentos foram: solo controle sem fertilização (C) e aplicação de duas doses (104 e 209kg de N ha-1ano-1) de ureia (U1 e U2), dejeto líquido (PS1 e PS2) e cama sobreposta (DL1 e DL2). O TOC, TN, o pH do solo, MBC e BR incrementaram no solo fertilizado com DL e foram mais baixos nos tratamentos com U. Os solos com aplicação de U e DL apresentaram o maior qCO2, relacionado a diferentes fontes de estresse, como o desbalanço de nutrientes. A atividade da fosfatase e da ß-glucosidase não foi afetada pelos tratamentos, mas incrementou com o tempo e teve uma forte correlação positiva com o MBC. Conclui-se que as aplicações de dejetos suínos em longo prazo incrementaram a atividade microbiana do solo e o teor de matéria orgânica, principalmente quando aplicados na forma de DL, enquanto que as aplicações de U apresentaram impactos negativos sobre esses indicadores.

ABSTRACT: Manure fertilization is a common practice, but little is known about its impacts on soil microbial activity and organic matter. Aiming to evaluate soil microbial response to nine years of successive applications of swine manure, organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2), and enzyme (ß-glucosidase, phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and FDA) activities were measured in the 0-10cm soil layer, in a no-tillage system. Treatments were: control soil without fertilization (C), and application of two doses (104 and 209kg of N ha-1year-1) of urea (U1 and U2), pig slurry (PS1 and PS2) and deep litter (DL1 and DL2). TOC, TN, soil pH, MBC, and BR increased in soil fertilized with DL, and were lower in U treatments. Soils with U and DL application had higher qCO2, related to different sources of stressors like nutrient imbalance. Phosphatase and ß-glucosidase activities were not affected by treatments, increased with time, and had a strong correlation with MBC. We conclude that long-term swine manure applications increase microbial activity and soil organic matter, mainly in DL form; while urea applications have negative impacts on these indicators.

ABSTRACT Cover crops contribute to nutrient cycling and may improve soil chemical properties and, consequently, increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate cover crop residue decomposition and nutrient release, and the effects of these plants on soil chemical properties and on onion (Allium cepa L.) yield in a no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in an Inceptisol in southern Brazil, where cover crops were sown in April 2012 and 2013. In July 2013, shoots of weeds (WD), black oats (BO), rye (RY), oilseed radish (RD), oilseed radish + black oats (RD + BO), and oilseed radish + rye (RD + RY) were cut at ground level and part of these material from each treatment was placed in litter bags. The litter bags were distributed on the soil surface and were collected at 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days after distribution (DAD). The residues in the litter bags were dried, weighed, and ground, and then analyzed to quantify lignin, cellulose, non-structural biomass, total organic carbon (TOC), N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. In November 2012 and 2013, onion crops were harvested to quantify yield, and bulbs were classified according to diameter, and the number of rotted and flowering bulbs was determined. Soil in the 0.00-0.10 m layer was collected for chemical analysis before transplanting and after harvesting onion in December 2012 and 2013. The rye plant residues presented the highest half-life and they released less nutrients until 90 DAD. The great permanence of rye residue was considered a protection to soil surface, the opposite was observed with spontaneous vegetation. The cultivation and addition of dry residue of cover crops increased the onion yield at 2.5 Mg ha-1.

RESUMO A mandioca é uma planta altamente micotrófica, e o sistema de pré-cultivo pode influenciar a densidade de propágulos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) e a composição de suas comunidades. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ocorrência e estrutura de comunidades de FMAs por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e eletroforese em gel de gradiente desnaturante (DGGE) na cultura da mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), após cultivo de plantas de cobertura (PC), bem como a influência das comunidades de FMAs sobre a nutrição mineral e produção da mandioca em sistema de cultivo orgânico. Foram testados seis tratamentos de pré-cultivo de PC, incluindo: Aveia (A), Ervilhaca (E), Nabo (N), consórcio A + E e consórcio A + E + N , além de um tratamento-controle com roçadas a cada 15 dias em delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. O pré-cultivo com aveia e seu consórcio com ervilhaca e nabo favoreceram o potencial de inóculo de FMAs em solo com baixo número de propágulos, beneficiando a colonização micorrízica da mandioca. O pré-cultivo de plantas de cobertura não influenciou a estrutura de comunidades de FMAs no solo; no entanto, houve similaridade da comunidade de FMAs entre os tratamentos de PC nas raízes da mandioca em sucessão. Mesmo com alta disponibilidade de P no solo, a colonização micorrízica da mandioca foi elevada e esses fatores contribuíram para os teores foliares de P e o rendimento da cultura, independentemente das plantas de cobertura utilizadas. Um ciclo de cultivo das PC no cultivo da mandioca não foi suficiente para obter resposta significativa nas variáveis P no tecido vegetal, rendimento da cultura, ocorrência e na estrutura de comunidades de FMAs no solo. Nas raízes da mandioca em sucessão, o estádio de desenvolvimento da planta interferiu nos agrupamentos da estrutura de comunidade de FMAs.

ABSTRACT Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a highly mycotrophic crop, and prior soil cover may affect the density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs), as well as the composition of the AMFs community in the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and the structure of AMFs communities in cassava grown after different cover crops, and the effect of the cover crop on mineral nutrition and cassava yield under an organic farming system. The occurrence and structure of the AMFs community was evaluated through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A randomized block experimental design was used with four replications. Six different cover crop management systems before cassava were evaluated: black oats, vetch, oilseed radish, intercropped oats + vetch, intercropped oats + vetch + oilseed radish, plus a control (fallow) treatment mowed every 15 days. Oats as a single crop or oats intercropped with vetch or with oilseed radish increased AMFs inoculum potential in soil with a low number of propagules, thus benefiting mycorrhizal colonization of cassava root. The treatments did not affect the structure of AMFs communities in the soil since the AMFs communities were similar in cassava roots in succession to different cover crops. AMFs colonization was high despite high P availability in the soil. The cassava crop yield was above the regional average, and P levels in the leaves were adequate, regardless of which cover crop treatments were used. One cover crop cycle prior to the cassava crop was not enough to observe a significant response in variables, P in plant tissue, crop yield, and occurrence and structure of AMFs communities in the soil. In the cassava roots in succession, the plant developmental stage affected the groupings of the structure of the AMF community.