RESUMEN El uso de plantas de cobertura parcial o permanente del suelo en las viñas es una práctica cultural utilizada en varias regiones vinícolas, ya que se cree que la descomposición de residuos de plantas de cobertura sobre la superficie del suelo puede aumentar la disponibilidad de nutrientes. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el ciclo de nutrientes del suelo con cobertura vegetal en consorcio con el cultivo de vid (Vitis labrusca L. var. Isabel) cultivada en las regiones tropicales, su estado nutricional y la fertilidad del suelo. El experimento fue realizado en un viñedo de variedad Isabel, y se evaluaron tres especies de cobertura vegetal (Canavalia ensiformis L. DC, Dolichos lablab L. y malezas). Canavalia ensiformis L. DC fue más eficiente en la acumulación de nutrientes en el dosel. Sin embargo, la liberación de nutrientes no fue estadísticamente diferente entre las coberturas vegetales usadas, siendo más influenciada por la época de poda de la vid. Estas no modificaron las propiedades químicas del suelo durante tres ciclos de cultivo de los dos cultivos de vid y tampoco afectaron su estado nutricional en la etapa de floración, en las dos épocas de cosecha evaluadas

ABSTRACT The use of plants for permanent or partial coverage of soil in the vineyard inter-rows is a cultural practice used in various wine-growing regions since it is believed that the decomposition of cover crops’ straw on the soil surface can increase the availability of nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutrient cycling of soil with cover rops in consortium with grapevine (Vitis labrusca L. cv. Isabel) cultivated in tropical regions, its nutritional status, and the soil fertility. The experiment was carried out in a vineyard of Isabel cultivar, and three species of ground cover crops were evaluated (Canavalia ensiformis L. DC, Dolichos lablab L., and weeds). Canavalia ensiformis L. DC was more efficient in nutrient accumulation in the canopy than the others. However, the release of nutrients was not statistically different among the cover plants used, being more influenced by the time of grapevine pruning. These coverages did not change the soil chemical properties in the three crop cycles of the two grapevines evaluated and did not affect their nutritional status at the blooming stage of the two harvest seasons evaluated.

RESUMO O uso de espécies leguminosas poderá favorecer a ciclagem de nutrientes e a qualidade química dos latossolos, o que de certa forma promoverá maior desempenho dos cultivos consorciados. Desta forma, objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a taxa de decomposição e o acúmulo de nutrientes em leguminosas, além dos atributos químicos do solo, crescimento de barueiros e produtividade de milho cultivados em rotação no sistema agroflorestal. A pesquisa foi realizada em consórcio com árvores de barueiros (Dipteryx alata Vogel), durante o período das safras 2010-2011 e 2011-2012, no estado de Goiás, Brasil, O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. As leguminosas utilizadas foram: crotalária (Crotalaria juncea); feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformis); feijão guandu (Cajanus cajan); estilosantes campo grande (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% e Stylosanthes capitata - 80%) e vegetação espontânea (tratamento controle). A taxa de decomposição dos resíduos de leguminosas e vegetação espontânea não é afetada no sistema agroflorestal. A crotalária, o feijão de porco e o estilosantes apresentam-se como opções vantajosas para o acúmulo total de nutrientes. Porém, o cultivo de crotalária com manejo de palhada visando rotação para próxima safra aumenta os teores de fósforo disponível no solo e a produtividade de espigas de milho verde com valores até 24% superiores em relação à área mantida sob vegetação espontânea, além de não afetar o crescimento das árvores.

ABSTRACT Leguminous species can improve nutrient cycling and chemical quality of Oxisols, resulting in higher productivity of intercropped crops. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the decomposition rate and nutrient accumulation in legume stubble, as well as its contribution to soil chemical attributes, the growth of baru trees (Dipteryx alata Vogel), and yield of intercropped maize in an agroforestry system. The experiment was developed during the crop years of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Goiás State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replicates. Leguminous species consisted of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Stylosanthes (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% and Stylosanthes capitata - 80%), and spontaneous vegetation (control treatment). The decomposition rates of legume and spontaneous vegetation residues remained unchanged in the agroforestry system. Sunn hemp, jack bean, and Stylosanthes plants are advantageous options for total accumulation of nutrients. However, sunn hemp grown as straw cover for next crop seasons increases the available phosphorus levels in the soil and productivity of maize cobs. With this coverage, maize productivity values were up to 24% higher than were those with maize growing on spontaneous vegetation, besides having no effect on the growth of baru trees.

ABSTRACT Plinthite and petroplinthite occur frequently in Brazilian soils, but there is little information on the behavior of these materials. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different drying periods on the hardening and stability of plinthic materials of soils in the floodplain of the Araguaia River and the João Leite stream in Goiás. Soil samples were collected, with the aid of 0.10 m high and 0.15 m diameter PVC cylinders, directly from the plinthic horizons of five profiles of Plintossolos Argilúvicos (Plinthosols). Plinthite and soil matrix subsamples were obtained from these samples. Homogeneous petroplinthite samples were collected from the concretionary horizon of a Plintossolo Pétrico (Plinthosol) profile, and these were separated into subsamples with the aid of a rock hammer. All subsamples were dried in two manners: air drying and drying in a forced ventilation oven for 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 days. Compressive strength and degree of stability were assessed. The results show a considerable variety of responses to the compressive force applied to the plinthite and petroplinthite samples in the same horizon and among the different profiles examined.

ABSTRACT Although ferruginous materials occur frequently in soils of tropical regions, information about the reversal of the hardening process of these materials is scarce. This study assessed the influence of different chemical treatments and periods of immersion on the reversibility of the hardening process of plinthite and petroplinthite in soils of the Araguaia River plain. Soil samples were collected from the plinthic horizons in 0.10 m high and 0.15 m diameter PVC cylinders and divided into subsamples with a rock hammer. Homogeneous petroplinthite samples were also collected and broken into subsamples with a rock hammer. The plinthite and petroplinthite subsamples were subjected to five immersion treatments: distilled water, calcium carbonate solution, sodium hydroxide solution, sodium hydroxide solution + sodium hexametaphosphate, and acidic solution. The subsamples were immersed for 20, 40, 80, and 160 days. The dispersion and stability degrees and compressive strength in these subsamples were assessed. The wet aggregate stability test indicated no impact on the structural stability of plinthite and petroplinthite subsamples subjected to the treatment with different chemical agents, demonstrating the non-reversibility of the hardening process of these materials of the Araguaia River floodplain, under the studied conditions.

ABSTRACT The Bambuí Group, formed from siliciclastic sediments deposited on an extensive epicontinental platform at the end of the Neoproterozoic era, is characterized by limestones with fine to very fine texture. Limestone-derived soils in the southeast of Tocantins state, Brazil, are less notorious than similar soils in other regions of Brazil and their characterization could contribute to the Brazilian System for Soil Classification (SiBCS). Given that little is known of these soils, despitetheir agricultural potential, the objective of this study was to characterize their properties and the processes leading to soil of genesis, and also contribute to developing the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). Soils profiles were located on the summit (P1), shoulder (P2), backslope (P3), and footslope (P4) of a toposequence in the municipality of Lavandeira, Tocantins. Morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the profiles were determined. The soils were classified as: P1 - Chernossolo Rêndzico Lítico típico (Lithic Haplustolls); P2 - Cambissolo Háplico Ta Eutrófico léptico hipocarbonático (Lithic Haplustolls); P3 - Cambissolo Háplico Carbonático léptico (Lithic Haplustepts); and P4 - Luvissolo Háplico Órtico típico (Typic Rhodustalfs). All the profiles showed high contents of silt, calcium, and magnesium, which resulted in high pH and low exchangeable aluminum content. Base saturation and calcium carbonate equivalent contents were also high, and the horizons showed dark colors due to high organic matter content, which contained humin as the dominant fraction. Mineralogical analysis of the clay fraction indicated predominance of hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite, followed by illite, kaolinite, and quartz, whereas the sand fraction exhibited reflections characteristic of the quartz mineral. Given P4 contents of calcium carbonate equivalent above 50 g kg-1 and the relevance of this feature for agriculture, we propose the inclusion of hypocarbonate as a criterion for classification of Luvissolos Háplicos Órticos at the subgroup level.

O uso de leguminosas em sistema plantio direto (SPD) aumenta o aporte de N, podendo reduzir a necessidade de utilização de fertilizantes nitrogenados. No entanto, em ecossistemas como o Cerrado, a rápida decomposição da palha de leguminosas pode resultar em cobertura deficiente do solo, o que pode ser evitado pelo consórcio da leguminosa com uma gramínea, como o milho. Objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade do milho; teores de macronutrientes, na presença de feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis), como adubo verde e consorciado em SPD; e taxas de decomposição dos resíduos das culturas. O delineamento empregado foi o de blocos casualizados, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos avaliados nas parcelas foram: feijão-de-porco plantado em outubro, seguido por milho, em dezembro; feijão-de-porco plantado junto com milho, em dezembro; milho plantado em dezembro, sem feijão-de-porco, sob palha de arroz; e milho sem palhada antecessora, sob resíduos de plantas infestantes, dessecadas no momento do plantio. Nas subparcelas, foram alocadas duas doses de N mineral (75 kg ha-1 e 150 kg ha-1) e, fora do delineamento, um tratamento adicional com feijão-de-porco solteiro. Os tratamentos com a leguminosa não apresentaram efeito significativo na produtividade de milho e teor de macronutrientes, mas, nestes tratamentos, houve maior índice de eficiência por área, sem efeito competitivo na produção do milho. Não houve diferença entre as doses de N, possibilitando redução da adubação nitrogenada. O feijão-de-porco, como cobertura ou consorciado, não afetou a composição de macronutrientes, na parte aérea da leguminosa.

The use of leguminous species under no-till system can increase the N content, decreasing the use of nitrogenous fertilizers. However, in ecosystems such as the Brazilian Savannah, the fast decomposition of their straw can result in a deficient soil cover, which can be avoided by intercropping them with a gramineous plant, such as maize. This study aimed to evaluate maize yield; macronutrients contents, with jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis) as green fertilizer and intercropped under no-till system; and rates of crop residues decomposition. The experimental design was split-plot randomized blocks, with four replications, and treatments evaluated per plot were: jack beans sown in October, followed by maize, in December; jack beans sown with maize, in December; maize sown in December, without jack beans, under rice straw; and maize without previous straw, under infesting plants residues dried up at the moment of planting. For split-plots, two N mineral doses were used (75 kg ha-1 and 150 kg ha-1), and, outside delineation, an additional treatment with single jack beans was applied. Treatments with leguminous species did not present significant effect on maize yield and macronutrients content, but there was higher efficiency index per area, with no competitive effect on maize yield. There was no difference among the N doses, allowing nitrogenous fertilizing reduction. Jack beans, as cover crop or intercropped with maize, did not affect macronutrients composition on the aerial part of leguminous species.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o crescimento de mudas de Angico [Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan] sob o efeito da inoculação de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) em solo preservado e antropizado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, no período de janeiro a setembro de 2006. O arranjo experimental foi em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial de 2 x 4, sendo dois tipos de solo (preservado ou antropizado) em quatro tratamentos distintos de inoculação micorrízica sendo (1) Solo esterilizado submetido à inoculação com a mistura Glomus etunicatum + Paraglomus brasilianum; (2) Solo esterilizado submetido à inoculação com a mistura Glomus etunicatum + Gigaspora margarita; (3) Solo esterilizado não inoculado (controle) (4) Solo natural (não esterilizado e não inoculado), com cinco repetições. Foram avaliados o crescimento em altura a cada 15 dias e, aos 150 dias, a área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, comprimento de raízes, teores de nutrientes da parte aérea e colonização micorrízica. Melhor crescimento das mudas de angico foi observado no tratamento com solo esterilizado e inoculado com a mistura de G. margarita e G. etunicatum, o qual refletiu em aumento da área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, assim como maior comprimento de raízes e colonização micorrízica, tanto no solo da área preservada quanto no da antropizada.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the Angico seedling growth [Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan] under the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation (FMAs) in preserved and antropized soils. This study was developed under greenhouse condition and the experiment was arranged in a complete random design within a factorial scheme 2x4 with five replications. There were two soils (preserved and antropized) and four treatments of mycorrhizal inoculation: (1) sterilized soil and inoculated with association of Glomus etunicatum + Paraglomus brasilianum; (2) sterilized soil and inoculated with association of Glomus etunicatum + Gigaspora margarita soil; (3) sterilized and not inoculated soil, i.e., control; and (4) natural soil (not sterilized and not inoculated). The growth in height was evaluated each 15 days and the leaf area, root and shoot dry matter, root length, shoot nutrient contents and mycorrhizal colonization were evaluated on the 150th day. The best growth of Angico seedlings was observed in the treatment with sterilized soil inoculated with a mixture of Gigaspora margarita and Glomus etunicatum, which caused increases in leaf area, root and shoot dry matter, as well as longer roots and larger mycorrhizal colonization, in both preserved and antropized soils.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção do milho sob níveis de adubação nitrogenada, verificando as alterações na fertilidade do solo e a decomposição de resíduos de crotalária e feijão-de-porco introduzidos em pré-plantio. O experimento foi realizado no ano agrícola 2003/04, no campus universitário de Gurupi-TO, da Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins, em um delineamento experimental em blocos aleatórios com parcelas subdivididas em quatro repetições. Nas parcelas foram implantadas Crotalaria juncea (CR) ou feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis) (FP) e nas subparcelas foram testadas as doses de nitrogênio para a cultura do milho: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 e 250kg ha-1. Independentemente das doses de N, verificou-se que os resíduos culturais de CR se decompõem com maior velocidade, quando comparados com os resíduos de FP, contribuindo para a maior produção de milho sob os resíduos de crotalária, devido à maior taxa de decomposição. A maior produtividade de milho foi obtida com 100kg ha-1 de N sob palhada de CR, enquanto valor semelhante só foi obtido com 250kg ha-1 de N sob palhada de FP. Após a colheita do milho, observou-se elevação da matéria orgânica do solo sob palha de CR, aumento do P assimilável sob FP e, independentemente da leguminosa, aumento dos teores de Ca, Mg trocáveis.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the corn yield on nitrogen fertilizer levels, verifying soil fertility changes and Crotalaria and Canavalia residues decomposition which were cultivated before corn cultivation. The experiment was carried out in 2003/2004 agricultural year in Gurupi Universitary Campus of Federal University of Tocantins, on a split -plot randomized blocks scheme with four repetitions. In plots were cultivated Crotalaria juncea or Canavalia ensiformis, and in split-plots were tested nitrogen level requirements to corn: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 e 250kg ha-1. Independently of N levels were observed that Crotalaria cultural residues decomposed with higher rate when compared with Canavalia residues, which contributed to better corn grain yield with its residues because higher decomposition rate. The highest corn productivity (9444kg ha-1) was obtained with 100kg ha-1 of N fertilizer with Crotalaria straw residues, while almost the same (9074kg ha-1) was only obtained with 250kg ha-1 with Canavalia residues. After corn harvesting, there was an increase on organic matter levels on Crotalaria residues, an increase on P levels on Canavalia residues, and with any legume residues, an increase on Ca+Mg exchangeable levels.

O trabalho foi realizado no município de Cachoeiras de Macacu (RJ) com o objetivo de avaliar as várias formas dos metais Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn em solo Gleissolo pouco húmico tratado com composto de resíduos urbanos, e as concentrações desses metais nas folhas e nos frutos de goiabeira (Psidium guajava L.). Foram utilizadas três áreas com históricos distintos: área que recebeu doses de 40 t.ha¹ de composto de resíduo sólido urbano (CRSU) na superfície por onze anos consecutivos; área com uma única aplicação de CRSU na cova; e área-controle que não utilizou CRSU e sem goiabeiras. As amostras de solo foram tomadas dentro de cada área, nas camadas de 05; 515 e 1530 cm. A extração seqüencial dos metais contidos nas amostras (05 cm) de terra demonstrou uma tendência de redução das formas móveis ou mais biodisponíveis de metais pesados no solo com uso do CRSU. Houve aumento nos teores de metais pesados em folhas e frutos de goiabeira cultivadas em áreas que receberam CRSU; porém os teores obtidos estavam dentro da faixa considerada normal. Há necessidade de monitoramento dos teores totais de metais no solo e nas plantas, devido ao incremento dos teores de metais pesados em solos tratados com CRSU.

The work was performed in the municipal district of Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro State and had as objective to obtain information on the contents of chemical forms of Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil Gleissolo pouco húmico treated with composted urban residues, and the concentrations in the leaves and fruits of guava (Psidium guajava L.). Three areas with different land use history were used: area that received doses of 40 t.ha¹ of composted of urban solid residue (CRSU) in the surface for eleven consecutive years; area with only one application of CRSU in the hole; and control area, with no guava and no CRSU. The soil samples were taken from each area, in the layers of 05, 515 and 15-30 cm. The sequential extraction of metals from the earth samples demonstrated a widespread tendency of reduction in the mobile or more bioavailable forms of heavy metals in the soil with the use of CRSU. There was increase in the heavy metals contents in the leaves and fruits of guava cultivated in areas that received CRSU. However, these contents were within the normal range for economic crops. There is a need for monitoring total metal contents, in soils and plants, due to their increment in soils treated with CRSU.