ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) fixation in the soil reduces the utilization of this element by plants and can be one of the main problems for fertilization management in soils containing Fe oxides. As a strategy to minimize the effects of P retention, organic materials, such as biochar or commercial composts, may be useful tools to maintain P availability and delay immobilization of this element in the soil, thereby benefiting, for example, the rehabilitation of areas impacted by Fe mining. The objective of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of P sorption and desorption and the hysteresis index in red mining waste from Fe mining subjected to açaí biochar and commercial compost amendments. Therefore, a substrate collected from Fe mining waste piles in the Carajás Mineral Province was incubated for 30 days with açaí biochar, commercial compost, and açaí biochar + commercial compost at a ratio of 90 % mining waste and 10 % organic amendment (w/w). The P sorption and desorption kinetics were evaluated in a solution containing 10 mg L−1 P at times from 0.5 to 48 h; the data were modeled according to a pseudo-first-order equation considering two types of reaction sites, and the hysteresis index was obtained by the difference between the sorption and desorption isotherms. Treatment of the mining substrate with açaí biochar reduced P sorption, while P desorption was increased by up to 60 % by applying biochar and/or commercial compost. Açaí biochar also reduced the hysteresis of P sorption from 78 to 54.8 %, in addition to slowing P fixation in this substrate. Thus, this study showed that açaí biochar and commercial compost may maximize the benefits of phosphate fertilization during the rehabilitation of areas impacted by Fe mining. However, as these composts can cause different effects on P dynamics in mining waste, their effects on other elements, such as micronutrients, whose availability may be affected, are important to be evaluated.

ABSTRACT Due to the large extent of degraded areas in the Amazon, the use of conservation systems is very important to contain the advance of the agricultural frontier, and may favor the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus (P). This study evaluated effect of tillage systems on and cover plants distribution of organic P fractions (Po) in oxisol under soybean and grasses in crop successions. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates and five treatments: (i) conventional tillage (CT) with annual soil tillage; (ii) no-till (NT) in succession with Urochloa ruziziensis (NT1); (iii) NT in succession with U. brizantha (NT2); (iv) NT in succession with Panicum maximum (NT3); and (v) a control consisting of a fragment of native vegetation (NV). The Po fractions were quantified at depths of 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm, before and after soybean cultivation and the P fractions were analyzed. The samples at a depth 0-5 and 5-10 cm had increased levels of biomass P in the NT1 and NT2. In addition, at depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm, the treatments in no-tillage systems accumulated the most of the Po labile fractions. These results showed that conservation systems tend to accumulate most of the P fractions in soil through decomposition of organic residues. Thus, no-tillage system was shown to be important for Po supply, where the use of U. brizantha ‘Piatã’ (NT2) favored higher levels of organic P in labile and moderately labile fractions in soil, which was considered the best alternative for Po supply among the species tested.

Resumo Por conta do aumento da demanda nacional e internacional, o cultivo do açaizeiro (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) tem-se expandido para áreas de terra firme no Brasil. Muitas destas áreas apresentam baixa fertilidade do solo, onde o boro (B) é um dos nutrientes mais limitantes. O objetivo foi avaliar a produtividade de frutos frescos de açaizeiros submetidos a doses de B em plantio fertirrigado, no município de Tomé-Açu, nordeste paraense, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos: controle e adição de 20; 40 e 60 g touceira-1 de B. Após 17 meses, foram coletados os cachos de frutos frescos e a estimada produção por hectare. Foi realizada uma análise econômica considerando os custos de adubação e a produção de frutos. As produtividades obtidas nos tratamentos estão acima da média do município de Tomé-Açu. O teor estimado de B foliar, que proporcionou a maior produtividade, foi igual a 14,9 mg kg-1, para uma produtividade de 5.479 kg ha-1 ano-1¸ enquanto o teor crítico correspondeu a 13,2 mg kg-1. A maior produtividade de frutos frescos de açaí foi atingida com a dose de 20 g touceira-1 de B, a qual proporcionou ganho líquido de 42%.

Abstract Due to the increasing national and international demand, the cultivation of açaí palm trees (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has expanded to upland areas in Brazil. Most of these areas present low natural soil fertility, in which boron (B) is one of the most limiting nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the productivity of fresh fruits of fertigated açaí trees submitted to doses of B. The study was carried out in Tomé-Açu, northeastern Pará, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four treatments: control and addition of 20, 40 and 60 g of B clump-1. After 17 months, bunches of fresh fruits were collected and the production per hectare was estimated. An economic analysis was carried out considering the costs of fertilization and fruit production. The productivities obtained in the treatments were considered above the average of the municipality of Tomé-Açu. The estimated content of leaf B that provided the highest productivity was 14.9 mg kg-1, for a yield of 5479 kg ha-1 year-1¸ while the critical content corresponded to 13.2 mg kg-1. The highest productivity of fresh açaí fruits was achieved with the dose of 20 g of B clump-1, which provided a net gain of 42%.

ABSTRACT Discovered in 1980 and unleashed an utter gold rush of the modern era, Serra Pelada was the largest open-air mine in Brazil. About 80,000 gold prospectors worked there until 1984, when the gold pits were flooded. The environmental impact caused by mining inflicted irreversible damage to the ecosystem, with the formation of a large lake and piles of waste rock and sterile overburden, still evident 28 years after the mine was closed. This study aimed to evaluate the available and pseudo total contents of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the contamination and pollution levels, and to understand how the biological soil factors are related to the chemical properties of the soil and the available PTE contents in the Serra Pelada - Amazônia, Brazil. Soil was collected from seven areas around the lake: Area 1 - margin of the mine without waste and/or sterile deposits; Area 2 - margin with waste and/or sterile deposits; Area 3 - area with sterile deposit; Area 4 - mine tailings, denominated curimã by the prospectors, from which gold had been extracted; Area 5 - sediment dredged from the lake in the mine pit; Area 6 - area with agroforestry system; Area 7 - riparian forest, unaffected by the artisanal gold extraction process (control treatment). Apart from selenium (Se), all evaluated elements, in at least one of the studied areas, exceeded the contents of the investigation values (defined as the content of a given substance in soil or groundwater above which the human health is under potential direct or indirect risks, considering a standardized exposure scenario) in agricultural areas in Brazil, as determined by the National Council of the Environment. Soil enrichment and contamination with Co, Ba, Mn, and Hg were investigated. Principal component analysis showed that the available levels of PTEs influenced the soil biological properties, in particular basal respiration, indicating that important ecosystem processes are being affected by PTE contamination.

ABSTRACT The oil palm crop has expanded significantly in the state of Pará, which has not been followed in a proportional manner by studies aiming at increasing yield through plant nutrition. The objective of this study was to evaluate general and specific norms of the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) for genetic materials of oil palm (African and interspecific hybrid) at two ages (young and adult plants) and evaluate possible deficiencies in fertilization and soil correction practices. The DRIS norms were composed of means, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation of bivariate, specific, and general relationships among nutrients of 144 leaf samples. The DRIS norms specific for genetic material did not differ from the general norms; however, a large number of differences were found between specific bivariate relationships for age groups, among themselves, and in relation to the general norms. The regression analysis between the nutritional balance index and yield were better explained when age groups were discriminated. In the young plants, the number of cases of stands with deficiencies followed the order Ca > Fe > B > S > Mn > K > Mg = Cu > Zn > N > P; and for adults, this order was Ca > Mn > Zn > Fe > S = B > N = Cu > K > Mg > P. The DRIS norms can be utilized in diagnostics regardless of genetic material; however, they must be specified for the age of the plant. Most of the stands showed deficiency in Ca and micronutrients, coinciding with the least used nutrients in oil palm crops in the state of Pará, as well as emphasizing the need for soil liming.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar níveis críticos e faixas de suficiência de nutrientes para a palma-de-óleo (Elaeis spp.), a partir de métodos de avaliação do estado nutricional das plantas. Utilizaram-se os métodos chance matemática (ChM), sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação (DRIS) e diagnose da composição nutricional (CND), além da avaliação do nível crítico obtido pela distribuição normal reduzida (DNR) em dados de produtividade e do teor de nutrientes de 144 amostras foliares de plantios no Pará. As regressões dos índices DRIS e CND com os teores foliares foram todas significativas, e o menor coeficiente de determinação foi encontrado para N. Os intervalos das faixas de suficiência obtidos com os métodos ChM, DRIS e CND nos talhões nutricionalmente equilibrados foram, em geral, mais estreitos do que os reportados na literatura, com poucos diagnósticos concordantes, sobretudo para K. Os níveis críticos obtidos pela DNR situaram-se dentro do intervalo das faixas nutricionais obtidas com os outros métodos. Os métodos ChM, DRIS, CND e DNR são adequados para a obtenção de valores de referência nutricionais e indicaram N, Ca, S, Mn e Zn como os nutrientes com maior frequência de deficiência nos talhões de palma-de-óleo avaliados.

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine critical levels and nutrient sufficiency ranges for oil palm (Elaeis spp.), using methods for assessing the nutritional status of the plants. The methods of mathematical chance (ChM), diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS), and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND), besides the critical level obtained by the reduced normal distribution (DNR), were used in productivity data and in nutrient content of 144 leaf samples of oil palm plantations in the state of Pará, Brazil. The regressions of the DRIS and CND indexes with leaf nutrient contents were all significant, and the lowest coefficient of determination was found for N. The sufficiency range intervals obtained with the ChM, DRIS, and CND methods in the nutritionally balanced stands were, in general, narrower than the ones reported in the literature, with few concordant diagnostics, mainly for K. The critical levels obtained with DNR were within the nutritional range intervals obtained with the other methods. ChM, DRIS, CND, and DNR are suited methods for obtaining nutritional reference values, and they indicated N, Ca, S, Mn, and Zn as the nutrients with the highest frequency of deficiency in the evaluated oil palm orchards.

RESUMO O cultivo do feijão caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] pode ser uma alternativa importante em sucessão ao cultivo do milho em áreas de pastagens degradas, devido ao aproveitamento do resíduo das adubações. Com isto, objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade do feijão-caupi como cultura sucessora ao milho submetido a doses de fosfato natural reativo de Arad e combinações com NPK. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Santo Antônio do Tauá, estado do Pará, em área de pastagem degradada, onde o solo foi classificado como Latossolo Amarelo Distrófico. O delineamento experimental foi blocos ao acaso em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. A adubação foi realizada na cultura anterior (milho) utilizando-se, nas parcelas, quatro doses de fósforo na forma de fosfato natural de Arad: 50, 100, 200 e 300 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e as subparcelas a combinação com NPK, NK, NK + calagem, e o controle (sem calagem e adubação). Avaliaram-se os componentes de produtividade da cultura do feijão-caupi. Os resíduos das doses de P2O5, proveniente do fosfato natural elevaram a concentração de fósforo na planta e influenciaram no número de grãos por vagem. O efeito residual dos fertilizantes NK + calcário e somente NK apresentaram melhores resultados tratando-se de produtividade de grãos, número de vagens por planta, número de grãos por vagem e massa seca da parte aérea. Os resíduos da aplicação de NPK apresentaram melhor resultado para a massa de 100 grãos.

ABSTRACT The cultivation of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] can be an important alternative in succession to maize in areas of degraded pastures due to the use of residue from fertilizers . With this, we aimed to evaluate the productivity of cowpea as a successor culture to undergo corn doses of reactive natural phosphate Arad and combinations with NPK. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a split plot with four replications. The fertilizer was applied in previous cultivation (crop) using four phosphate doses in the form of Arad natural phosphate: 50, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and the sub-plots in combination with NPK, NK, NK + liming, and control (no liming and fertilizer). The cowpea yield components were evaluated in this work. The residues of P2O5 from the natural phosphate increased the phosphorus content in the plant and influenced the number of grains per pod. The residual effect of NK+ liming and only NK showed better results for the variables grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and dry mass of aerial part. The residual effect of NPK showed better results for the mass of 100 grains.

RESUMO: O sorgo é cultivado em áreas e situações ambientais muito secas e/ou muito quentes, onde a produtividade de outros cereais é antieconômica. O objetivo foi avaliar a produção de três híbridos de sorgo em razão de doses de potássio e de sistemas de manejo, cultivados em Latossolo Amarelo da região da Amazônia Oriental. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 3 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os fatores foram: quatro doses de potássio (50, 100, 200 e 300 kg ha-1) na forma de KCl; três híbridos de sorgo (Qualimax, Volumax e AG 2005-E); e dois sistemas de manejo (plantio direto e convencional). Os híbridos volumax e qualimax apresentaram maior produção de matéria seca da parte aérea do sorgo no sistema de plantio direto. Os teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg no tecido foliar do sorgo foram maiores no plantio direto. As doses de potássio resultaram em maior produção de MSPA no plantio direto, com redução de 40% do adubo potássico aplicado em relação ao plantio convencional.

ABSTRACT: Sorghum is grown in areas and environmental situations very dry and/or too hot, where productivity of other cereals is uneconomical. Aiming to evaluate the production of three sorghum hybrids, because of potassium and management systems, grown in Oxisol with low productive capacity, an experiment was conducted in the field, in the area of the Federal Rural University of Amazonia/UFRA, Belém campus The experimental design was randomized in blocks, arranged in a factorial 4 x 3 x 2 with four replications. The factors were: four doses of potassium (50, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) as KCl, three sorghum hybrids (Qualimax, Volumax and AG 2005-E) and two tillage systems (no-till and conventional). The tillage produced a higher shoot dry weight of sorghum, and the hybrid and Volumax and Qualimax had incomes above the AG2005-E. The contents of the elements N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the leaves of sorghum grown with tillage were higher than those found in conventional tillage. Doses of potassium resulted in greater increase in MSPA tillage using 40% less potash fertilizer with the conventional system.

AbstractSoil biological properties have a high potential for use in assessing the impacts of crop systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of cropping systems on the biological attributes of an oxisol in the Amazonian state of Pará. The treatments consisted of approximately 20-year-old secondary vegetation, recovered pasture, no-tillage systems (NT) maintained for 4 and 8 years after planting with corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.), and conventional tillage (CT) systems every 2 years after planting with rice (Oryza sativa L.) and soybean. The microbial biomass to nitrogen ratio was higher in the NT system (0.68 mg kg–1), and the NT system had greater microbial NT8. Thus, the contributions of organic matter from straw improved the soil quality in these areas. The total organic carbon (TOC) content was greater in the secondary forest and CT areas (46.7 and 48.0 mg kg–1, respectively), potentially due to the higher amounts of organic matter and organic matter mineralization in these areas. However, the largest TOC stocks were observed in the pasture, which corresponded with greater carbon storage (63.5 Mg ha–1). By contrast, the no-till systems were not efficient for storing C, with concentrations of 5.0 and 5.3 Mg ha–1 in NT-4 and NT-8, respectively. These results may reflect the short period that these systems were adopted and the vast microbial activity that was observed in these areas, with microbial quotients of 8.03 and 10.41% in NT-4 and NT-8, respectively.

RESUMO: O milheto é uma forrageira com alto potencial produtivo, principalmente devido a sua alta tolerância ao déficit hídrico e adaptação a solos de baixa fertilidade. Mesmo sendo adaptada a solos de baixa fertilidade é responsiva à adubação nitrogenada. Assim, o objetivo foi avaliar o crescimento e a eficiência nutricional de cultivares de milheto forrageiro em função de doses de nitrogênio (N). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em um Latossolo Amarelo Distrófico típico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, arranjado em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com seis repetições. Os fatores constituíram-se de tratamento controle (sem adubação com N) e três doses de N (75, 150 e 225 kg ha-1) na forma de uréia e sulfato de amônio e duas cultivares de milheto (BN2 e ADR500). E a colheita realizada 80 dias após a emergência. A maior produção de matéria seca da parte aérea foi obtida com a dose estimada de 179 kg ha-1 de N. A cultivar ADR500 apresentou maior altura e maior eficiência de translocação, enquanto a BN2 apresentou maior teor de N da parte aérea e de raízes. A maior eficiência de utilização e translocação de N foram alcançadas com as doses estimadas de 109 e 133 ha-1 de N para as cultivares ADR500 e BN2, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT: The millet is a forage with high yield potential, mainly due to its high tolerance to water deficit and adaptation to soils of low fertility. Even being adapted to soils of low fertility, it is responsive to nitrogen fertilization. The objective was to evaluate the growth and nutritional efficiency of millet forage cultivars, due to nitrogen (N). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a typical Yellow Oxisol Dystrophic. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme with six repetitions. The factors were the control treatment (without fertilization with N) and three doses of N (75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1) in the form of urea and ammonium sulfate and two cultivars of pearl millet (BN2 and ADR500). The harvest was performed 80 days after the emergency. The higher production of dry matter of aerial part was obtained with the estimated dose of 179 kg ha-1 of N. The cultivar ADR500 showed the highest height and greater efficiency of translocation, while the BN2 showed higher N content of the aerial part and roots. The greater efficiency of use and translocation of N were achieved with doses estimated for 109 and 133 ha-1 of N for the cultivars ADR500 and BN2, respectively.

Estudos que visem à seleção de espécies, ou de grupos de espécies de plantas de cobertura do solo adaptadas as condições edafoclimáticas amazônicas parece ser uma estratégia viável para a melhoria da qualidade ambiental por propiciar o estabelecimento do SPD atenuando problemas relacionados ao monocultivo. O objetivo foi avaliar o comportamento de plantas de cobertura, no Nordeste paraense, quanto a persistência, tempo de meia vida, teor e acúmulo de macronutrientes e relação C/N na palhada, em Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. As plantas foram cultivadas a partir do mês de julho e cortadas aos 105 dias de cultivo e então foi feita a avaliação da produção. Ao final dos 84 dias a percentagem de cobertura do solo correspondeu a 97, 85, 52, 50 e 15%, para a braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha) (syn. Urochloa), capim colônia (Panicum purpurascens), feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformes), milheto (Pennisetum americanum) e crotalária (Crotalaria juncea,), respectivamente. A braquiária apresentou maior produção de matéria seca (9.696 kg ha-1), elevada relação C/N (38,4), alto tempo de meia vida (86,5 dias) e grande persistência no campo. O feijão de porco apresentou alta produção de matéria seca (8.950 kg ha-1), porém menor relação C/N (17,4) e tempo de meia vida (39 dias), quando comparada as gramíneas. Por estas características, a braquiária e o feijão de porco são espécies com potencial utilização como plantas de cobertura no SPD no estado do Pará.

Studies to select one or more species of coverage plants adapted to Amazonian soil and climate conditions of the Amazon are a promising strategy for the improvement of environmental quality, establishing no-till agricultural systems, and thereby reducing the impacts of monoculture farming. The aim of this study was to assess the persistence time, half-life time, macronutrient content and accumulation, and C:N ratio of straw coverage in a Ultisol in northeastern Pará. Experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and five replicates. Plants were harvested after 105 days, growth and biomass production was quantified. After 84 days, soil coverage was 97, 85, 52, 50, and 15% for signalgrass (Brachiaria brizantha) (syn. Urochloa), dense crowngrass (Panicum purpurascens), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformes), pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea,), respectively. Signalgrass yielded the greatest dry matter production (9,696 kg ha-1). It also had high C:N ratio (38.4), long half-life (86.5 days) and a high persistence in the field. Jack bean also showed high dry matter production (8,950 kg ha-1), but it had low C:N ratio (17.4) and lower half-life time (39 days) than the grasses. These attributes indicate that signalgrass and jack bean have a high potential for use as cover plants in no-till agricultural systems in the State of Pará.

Knowledge of the soil quality in acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) plantations is very important to the northern region of Brazil because it is a native species with high economic value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of a Yellow Latosol in an irrigated acai plantation by determining the soil quality index (SQI). the soil was classified as dystrophic Yellow Latosol with medium texture. The water retention curve and soil penetration resistance were determined using 45 undisturbed samples obtained at 0.1 and 0.3 m depth and distributed across two transects. For SQI determination, 15 soil quality indicators at a depth of 0.1 m were evaluated: soil bulk density (Bd); total porosity (TP); macroporosity (Map); penetration resistance (PR); pH in water; P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H+Al, and Al3+ levels; organic matter (OM); sum of bases (SB): cation exchange capacity (CEC); and base saturation (V%). the RSS function, to receive, store, and supply water in the soil, was the indicator that most inꔀuenced the quality index formation. Soil function was limited for PGR to promote the roots growth, because it represented 22 % of the SQI, but it should be responsible for 25 %. the NS function to provide nutrient supply, was the least limiting to the SQI. the global SQI value of 0.641 suggests that irrigated acai plantation production in Yellow Latosol needs to be improved to PGR, which was limited in the surface layer.

El conocimiento de la calidad del suelo en las plantaciones de acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) es muy importante para la región norte de Brasil, ya que es una especie nativa con valor económico alto. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad física y química de un Latosol Amarillo en una plantación de acai de regadío determinando el índice de la calidad del suelo (SQI). El suelo se clasificó como Latosol Amarillo distrófico con textura media. La curva de retención de agua y la resistencia a la penetración del suelo se determinaron usando 45 muestras inalteradas obtenidas a 0.1 y 0.3 m de profundidad y distribuidas en dos transectos. Para determinar SQI, se evaluaron 15 indicadores de calidad de suelo a una profundidad de 0.1 m: densidad aparente del suelo (Bd); porosidad total (PT); macroporosidad (map); resistencia a la penetración (RP); pH en agua; niveles de P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H+Al, y Al3+; materia orgánica (OM); suma de bases (SB): capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CEC); y saturación de bases (V%). La función RSS, de recibir, almacenar, y abastecer de agua al suelo, fue el indicador que más influyó en la formación del índice de calidad. La función del suelo fue limitada para la PGR para promover el crecimiento de las raíces, ya que representó 22 % del SQI, pero debió ser responsable de 25 %. La función de NS de suministrar nutrientes fue la menos limitante para el SQI. El valor global de 0.641 del SQI sugiere que la producción de las plantaciones de acai de regadío en Latosol Amarillo necesita ser mejorada para la PGR, que fue limitada en la capa superficial.

O cultivo da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) tem aumentado em função da crescente demanda por seus produtos, entretanto são reduzidos os estudos, bem como o conhecimento sobre as exigências de nutrientes da espécie. O objetivo foi avaliar os sintomas de deficiência nutricional, a produção de matéria seca, o teor e o acúmulo de nutrientes em mudas de pupunheira, em razão da omissão de macronutrientes e Na. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação utilizando mudas em vasos distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados. Os tratamentos foram: solução nutritiva completa; omissão de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e Na. As omissões promoveram alterações morfológicas na parte aérea e nas raízes caracterizadas por sintomas visuais facilmente interpretáveis. Os elementos N, P e K foram os mais limitantes, já S e Na os menos limitantes à produção de matéria seca das folhas, caule, raízes, parte aérea e total da planta. A relação da matéria seca da parte aérea/raiz foi K>Mg>Ca =P e P=completo=S=Na>N, e o crescimento relativo foi decrescente no sentido Completo>Na>S>Ca>Mg>K>P>N. Os teores e acúmulos de nutrientes seguiram a ordem predominante N>K>Ca>P>Mg>S>Na. As omissões causaram sintomas típicos aos observados em outras espécies. A matéria seca e o crescimento relativo foram mais limitados pelo N, P e K, sendo que o K, Mg, Ca e P restringiram mais as raízes, enquanto os outros nutrientes limitaram mais a parte aérea. A ausência de Na reduziu o crescimento relativo em 10,6%, o que demonstra a importância do elemento para a pupunheira. Os nutrientes em maiores quantidades na espécie foram o N, K e Ca.

The peach palm (Bactrisgasipaes Kunth) cultivation has increased according to increasing demand of its products; however there are few studies, as well as knowledge about nutritional requirement of this specie. The objective was to evaluate the nutritional symptoms deficiencies, dry matter production, nutrient content and accumulation in peach palm seedlings, according to macronutrients and Na omission. The experiment was realized in greenhouse in randomized blocks design. The treatments were: complete nutrient solution; omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Na. The omissions promoted morphological alterations in shoots and roots characterized by visual symptoms easily interpretable. The elements N, P and K were the most limiting and the S and Na were the least limiting to leaves, stem, roots, shoots and total dry matter. The shoot/root relationship was K>Mg>Ca=P and P=complete=S=Na>N and the relative growth was complete>Na>S>Ca>Mg>K>P>N. The nutrient contents and accumulations follow mainly the sequence N>K>Ca>P>Mg>S>Na. The omissions caused symptoms typical to those observed in other species. The dry matter and relative growth were most limiting by N, P and K. The K, Mg, Ca and P were most limiting to roots and others nutrients were most limiting to shoots. The Na was important to peach palm, in the absence of Na of growth on reduced 10.6%. The nutrients in higher amounts in the specie are N, K and Ca.

A atividade e biomassa microbiana são indicadores biológicos sensíveis a alterações ambientais decorrentes do uso agrícola, podendo fornecer informações importantes para o uso adequado do solo. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a ciclagem de nutrientes, atributos biológicos e a persistência da palhada de sorgo em um Latossolo Amarelo distrófico, em função de sistemas de manejo do solo. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com fatorial 3 x 2 e quatro repetições. Os fatores foram: três híbridos de sorgo e dois sistemas de manejo do solo, para avaliar a decomposição da palhada. Para avaliar os atributos biológicos, um experimento com fatorial 2 x 2, foram feitas, com quatro repetições, sendo dois fatoresos sistemas de manejo do solo e os outros dois as datas de amostragem. O carbono orgânico total (COT), o carbono da biomassa microbiana do solo (CBM), a relação CBM/COT, a respiração basal e o quociente metabólico foram analisados. O híbrido Qualimax obteve a maior relação C/N (55) e maior persistência da palhada no solo, após 120 dias de manejo (35%). No período mais chuvoso e no sistema de plantio direto, observaram-se maiores valores de COT, CBM, relação CBM/COT, respiração basal e menor qCO2.

The microbial biomass and activity are biological indicators sensitive to environmental changes caused by agricultural use and can provide important information for the planning of adequate land use. The objective of this research was to evaluate the nutrient recycling, persistence, and biological attributes of sorghum straw in Oxisol as a function of soil management systems. The experiment was carried out at the Federal Rural University of Amazonia in randomized block design with 3 x 2 factorial and four replicates. Three sorghum hybrids and two soil management systems were the factors used to assess straw decomposition. In order to evaluate the biological attributes, a 2 x 2 factorial experiment with four replicates was carried out using two soil management systems and two sampling dates. Total organic carbon (TOC), carbon in the soil microbial biomass (C-SMB), C-SMB/TOC ratio, basal respiration and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were investigated. The Qualimax hybrid presented the highest C/N ratio (55) and longer straw persistence in soil after 120 days of management (35%). The highest TOC, C-SMB, C-SMB/TOC ratio, and basal respiration and the smallest qCO2 were observed during the rainy season and in the no-till system.

A qualidade física dos solos da Amazônia ainda é um assunto pouco explorado, em razão das características especiais que eles apresentam. Os índices de qualidade física do solo, como o índice S, têm se mostrado um bom indicador para representar a qualidade estrutural de vários solos do mundo, inclusive os do Cerrado brasileiro. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade física de um Latossolo Amarelo da Amazônia sob diferentes usos e sistemas de manejo, a partir da densidade, da porosidade, da matéria orgânica e do índice S. As amostras de solos foram coletadas no município de Paragominas, Estado do Pará. Os sistemas de manejo avaliados foram: 1) mata secundária com cerca de 20 anos (Mata); 2) pastagem de braquiária; 3) plantio direto com 8 anos (PD8); 4) plantio direto com 4 anos (PD4); e 5) plantio convencional com 2 anos (PC2). Foram determinados a densidade do solo (Ds), macro e microporosidade, a curva de retenção de água, o índice S e as relações deste índice com a matéria orgânica (MOS), a Ds e a porosidade. Todos os sistemas de manejos mostraram-se compactados nas camadas superficiais, em relação à mata. A qualidade física do solo foi mais bem representada pelas relações do índice S com a densidade e a matéria orgânica do solo.

The physical quality of Amazonian soils is relatively unexplored, due to the unique characteristics of these soils. The index of soil physical quality is a widely accepted measure of the structural quality of soils and has been used to specify the structural quality of some tropical soils, as for example of the Cerrado ecoregion of Brazil. The research objective was to evaluate the physical quality index of an Amazonian dystrophic Oxisol under different management systems. Soils under five managements were sampled in Paragominas, State of Pará: 1) a 20-year-old second-growth forest (Forest); 2) Brachiaria sp pasture; 3) four years of no-tillage (NT4.); 4) eight years of no-tillage (NT8); and 5) two years of conventional tillage (CT2). The soil samples were evaluated for bulk density, macro and microporosity and for soil water retention. The physical quality index of the samples was calculated and the resulting value correlated with soil organic matter, bulk density and porosity. The surface layers of all systems were more compacted than those of the forest. The physical quality of the soil was best represented by the relations of the S index to bulk density and soil organic matter.