ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate forage yield, tiller population density, canopy height, nutritional value as well as cattle performance in alternate stocking from three tropical forage cultivars. The experiment followed a randomized block design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Three forage cultivars (Marandu, Massai and Xaraés) distributed in nine hectares were evaluated in three dry season periods (transition wet/dry, dry, and end of dry season), with repeated measures over time. The following variables were evaluated: canopy height, leaf: stem ratio, forage mass, leaf mass, stem mass and dead material mass. Total digestible nutrients, crude protein and in vitro dry mass digestibility were evaluated regarding forage nutrition. Animal performance, using 36 eleven-month-old animals (half-blood Nelore), was evaluated by the daily average gain and weight gain by area. During pre-grazing, canopy height presented interaction among forage cultivars and the evaluated periods. The average daily gain showed no interaction among cultivars and period of the year the similarity in animal performance among the cultivars Marandu and Massai show that the Massai grass can be used as an alternative for forage diversification under an alternate management system.

ABSTRACT Microorganisms in the soil and rhizosphere can release part of the total phosphorus in the soil through solubilization, mineralization, and an increase of the root absorption surface. The ability of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to promote higher yield and profitability in co-inoculated soybean was investigated. For this purpose, field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in the years 2020 and 2021 in Brazil. In the field, the first factor was composed of microorganism application on soybean (simple inoculation with Bradyrhizobium; co-inoculation with Bacillus strains; co-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza), and the second factor consisted of the application or not of phosphate fertilizer (0 and 100 kg ha-1 of P2O5). In the greenhouse, treatments of the first factor were maintained with 50 % of the phosphate fertilization and one treatment added (standard inoculation with 100 % of the fertilization). Plant growth, roots, nodules, leaf nutrition, yield, and profitability were evaluated. In 2020, co-inoculation increased plant height, the number of pods, grains, and profitability index. The co-inoculation with Bacillus strains and arbuscular mycorrhiza promoted yield increase only associated with phosphate fertilization, by 813 and 761 kg ha-1 compared to standard inoculation, respectively. In 2021, there were increases for pods, grains, yield, gross profit, net income, and profitability index. Co-inoculation with Bacillus strains and arbuscular mycorrhiza promoted increased soybean yield and profitability, confirming itself as a sustainable technology for Brazilian soybean fields.

RESUMO A mesorregião sudeste paraense é importante produtora de soja, e o cultivo em safrinha pode incrementar a produção agrícola local. No entanto, na região, predominam Latossolos de textura média a muito argilosa, os quais, apesar de adequados ao uso agrícola, possuem, naturalmente, baixos níveis de fósforo disponível. Objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade de feijão-caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] em safrinha sob doses de fósforo residual em Latossolo Amarelo. Foram instalados dois experimentos em condições de campo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com 5 tratamentos (residuais de 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1 de P2O5) e 4 repetições. O primeiro experimento consistiu de cultivo de feijão-caupi em safrinha após a safra da soja, com as doses fosfatadas fornecidas durante o plantio da soja, e o segundo de feijão-caupi em safrinha após a safra do arroz, com as doses fosfatadas fornecidas durante o plantio do arroz. Avaliaram-se o peso de mil grãos e produção de vagens, cascas e grãos. Houve maior produção de vagens e cascas em área com residual de fósforo. A maior produtividade foi obtida no residual da dose de 200 kg ha-1 de P2O5, atingindo-se produtividades de grãos de 1.256 kg ha-1 após a safra da soja e 885 kg ha-1 após a safra do arroz.

ABSTRACT The southeastern mesoregion of the Brazilian Pará state is an important soybean producer, and the second-crop system can increase the local agricultural production. However, Latosols with medium to very clayey texture predominate in the region and, despite being suitable for farming, they naturally have low levels of available phosphorus (P). This study aimed to evaluate the yield of second-crop cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] under doses of residual P in a Yellow-Latosol. Two experiments were installed under field conditions. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with five treatments (residuals of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 of P2O5) and four replications. The first experiment consisted of cultivating second-crop cowpea after the soybean harvest, with phosphate doses provided during the soybean planting, and the second of second-crop cowpea after the rice harvest, with phosphate doses provided during the rice planting. The 1,000-grain weight and production of pods, husks and grains were evaluated. The production of pods and husks were higher in the area with residual P. The highest yield was obtained in the residual dose of 200 kg ha-1 of P2O5, reaching a grain yield of 1,256 kg ha-1 after the soybean harvest and 885 kg ha-1 after the rice harvest.

ABSTRACT Using biological inputs to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers represents an alternative for the cultivation of grasses in tropical regions. Azospirillum brasilense is a species of plant growth promoting bacteria widely studied and used in inoculants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of Mombasa grass ( Megathyrsus maximus ) in association with A. brasilense and nitrogen (N) fertilization. The study was conducted under field conditions in Araguaína-Tocantins State, between December 2017 and May 2018. The treatments were arranged in randomized blocks, in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, with five doses of N fertilization (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha-1) combined with two inoculation treatments (inoculated and non inoculated), in four replicates. For the number of tillers and root production, the inoculation efficiency varied as a function of the supplied N doses. However, the percentage of leaf N was higher for inoculated plants regardless of the application of nitrogen. In the absence of nitrogen fertilization, it was possible to increase forage production by up to 36 % with inoculation.

RESUMO Apesar de a teca possuir uma das madeiras mais valiosas do mundo, uma das principais limitações para a produção de mudas desta espécie é a germinação lenta e irregular. Objetivou-se avaliar métodos de superação da dormência em diásporos de teca e sua influência na qualidade das plântulas. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições, totalizando 24 unidades experimentais. Os tratamentos avaliados foram os seguintes: testemunha; imersão em água por 12 h e exposição ao sol por 12 h, processo repetido três vezes; escarificação mecânica por 5 segundos com esmeril elétrico; estufa a 80 ºC por 6 h; teste de impacto sobre o diásporo à altura de 10 cm e 20 cm. Foram avaliados os parâmetros percentagem de emergência aos 29 dias após a semeadura; percentual de plântulas normais; índice de velocidade de emergência; frequência relativa de emergência; massa fresca e seca da plântula e comprimento da plântula. O aquecimento em estufa a 80 ºC, por 6 h, é o método mais eficiente para a superação de dormência em diásporos de teca. Os métodos utilizados não influenciaram na qualidade das plântulas.

ABSTRACT Teak has one of the most valuable woods in the world. However, one of the main limitations to produce seedlings of this species is related to its slow and irregular germination. This study aimed to evaluate methods for overcoming dormancy in teak diaspores, as well as their influence on seedling quality. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and four replications, totaling 24 experimental units. The evaluated treatments were: control; immersion in water for 12 h and sun exposure for 12 h, a process that was repeated three times; mechanical scarification for 5 seconds, using an electric emery; oven treatment at 80 ºC, for 6 h; impact test on diaspores at the heights of 10 cm and 20 cm. The following parameters were evaluated: emergence percentage at 29 days after sowing; percentage of normal seedlings; emergence speed index; emergence relative frequency; seedling fresh and dry weight and seedling length. The use of oven heating at 80 ºC, for 6 h, is the most efficient method to overcome dormancy in teak diaspores. The methods used did not affect the seedlings quality.