ABSTRACT Soil nutrient availability and interpretations of nutrient contents are based on the results obtained from specific extraction methods used in routine testing laboratories. The development of new extraction methods and new extractants with better accuracy is particularly important to determine the correct fertilizer rates to be applied. For this purpose, this study aims to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the predictive capacity of cellulose acetate film containing calcinated layered double hydroxide (CAF-LDH-c), as a new extractant and a new method of P extraction in soils. Different analyses techniques were used to characterize the CAF-LDH-c sample, including X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy. Soils were collected from twelve areas with different management and initial availability of P. The soils were subjected to six rates of P and were cultivated with plants. The predictive capacity of CAF-LDH-c, as a new extractant of P in different soils, was evaluated and compared to Mehlich-1 (M-1), Mehlich-3 (M-3), and Mixed Exchange Resin (MER) extractants. Chemical analyses performed on CAF-LDH-c showed that LDH in powder form was incorporated into the cellulose acetate film. There was a linear relation between P uptake by plants and extractable soil P in the soil by CAF-LDH-c, M-1, M-3, and MER extractants. The significant correlations between extracted P in the soil and P uptake by plants for CAF-LDH-c showed the efficacy of the new extractor and the newly proposed method for different types of soils. The results from the present study confirm the possibility of using CAF-LDH-c extractant as a new methodology to evaluate the availability of P in the soil for plant cultivation.

ABSTRACT: There are several globally accepted methods to chemically characterize P-fertilizers, but not all are suitable to predict the agronomic efficiency of the P sources in terms of plant nutrition. Our aim was to investigate the performance of P extractors for fertilizers, investigating the consistency of different methods for P sources of varying properties and the related plant responses. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using corn as a model plant. Phosphorus values extractable in water, 2 % citric acid, 2 % formic acid, ammonium neutral citrate + water, and acid ammonium citrate were evaluated for eight P fertilizers of varied solubility and correlated with P uptake by corn. The extractors citric acid and formic acid recovered no predictive amounts of P from crystalline apatite sources (Araxá and Patos phosphate rocks, PRs). However, they showed a satisfactory performance for Bayóvar PR and partially acidulated PRs but extracted low amounts of P from soluble P sources such as superphosphates. Neutral ammonium citrate + water extractors could accurately predict the efficiency of soluble P sources but underestimated the performance of Bayóvar (a reactive PR). In contrast, the extractor acid ammonium citrate, AAC, (pH 3) accurately predicted the agronomic efficiency of all P fertilizers. We therefore suggest AAC as an effective predictor of the agronomic effectiveness of any inorganic phosphorus sources.

RESUMO Um dos principais fatores limitantes no desempenho das culturas agrícolas e florestais na maioria dos solos tropicais é o efeito tóxico do Al3+. No entanto, algumas espécies vegetais apresentam mecanismos de adaptação que lhes conferem tolerância a essas condições. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de três espécies florestais cultivadas em solução nutritiva com diferentes níveis de Al3+. Para tanto, mudas de Acacia mangium, Mimosa artemisiana e Enterolobium contortisiliquum foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva com quatro concentrações de Al3+ (controle, 185, 370 e 555 µmol L-1) durante 95 dias. Ao final do experimento, as plantas foram segmentadas e uma fração conhecida das raízes foi digitalizada para estimativa de área e comprimento radicular. O caule, folhas e o restante das raízes foram secos em estufa de ventilação forçada, sendo determinada a biomassa e os teores de N, P e K no tecido vegetal. As espécies apresentaram padrões de crescimento diferenciados em função do aumento do teor de Al3+ na solução nutritiva, sendo que a Acacia mangium e a Enterolobium contortisiliquum foram mais tolerantes ao Al+3, demonstrando potencial de uso na recuperação de áreas degradadas e com solos ácidos. Os teores de N nas partes das plantas não foram influenciados pelo Al3+, no entanto, a concentração de P aumentou nas raízes das três espécies com níveis intermediários de Al3+, resultando em redução de P na parte aérea da Acacia mangium e Mimosa artemisiana. A concentração de K na Acacia mangium foi reduzida somente no menor nível de Al3+, enquanto para Mimosa artemisiana a redução foi gradativa.

ABSTRACT One of the main limiting factors in the performance of agricultural and forest crops in tropical soils is the toxic effect of Al3+ in soils. However, some plant species present adaptive mechanisms that confer tolerance to these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of three tree species grown in nutrient solution with different levels of Al3+. Therefore, seedlings of Acacia mangium, Mimosa artemisiana and Enterolobium contortisiliquum were produced in nutrient solution with four concentrations of Al3+ (control, 185, 370 and 555 μmol L-1) during 95 days of cultivation. At the end of the experiment, the plants were targeted and a fraction of the known roots was scanned to estimate root area and length. The stem, leaves and remaining roots were dried in a forced air oven, being determined the biomass and N, P and K in plant tissue. The species showed different patterns of growth due to the increase of the activity of Al3+ in nutrient solution, and Acacia mangium and Enterolobium contortisiliquum were more tolerant to Al3+, demonstrating potential use in the recovery of degraded areas with acid soils. The N concentration in the plant parts were not influenced by Al3+, however the concentration of P increased in the roots of three species with intermediate levels of Al3+, resulting in reduction of P in shoots of Acacia mangium and Mimosa artemisiana. The concentration of K+ in Acacia mangium was reduced only in the lower Al3+, whereas for Mimosa artemisiana was gradually reduced.

In this paper, we report the results of studies on the solubility (water solubility trial) and the response by plants (greenhouse pot experiment using Zea mays) for four types of monoammonium phosphate fertilizers (Conventional MAP - MAP1, MAP coated with a natural organic acid - MAP2, MAP coated with a synthetic organic acid - MAP3, and MAP coated with a peat humic organic acid - MAP4) applied at five increasing doses (0, 100, 300, 600 and 1200 mg P dm-3) and pre-incubated with the soil for five lengths of time before planting (0, 15, 30 and 60 d). The coating with organic acids reduced the water solubility of the P fertilizers - MAP4 provided a more gradual release of P over time. In the soil pot experiment, it was found that MAP1 required the highest dose to reach 90% of dry matter accumulation by the maize plant, followed by the Coated-Slow-Release Fertilizers (CSRF). The agronomic efficiency (AE) of P applied as the CSRF was 3 to 13% greater than that of MAP1. In addition, MAP4 led to higher values of AE (+11%) and apparent P recovery by maize (+41%) in comparison to MAP1. The physicochemical properties imposed by the chemical composition of the organic acid coatings generated fertilizers with distinct release rates and improved agronomic efficiencies.

O K é um nutriente encontrado em baixos teores em solos brasileiros, sendo necessário grande aporte via fertilização para alcançar produtividades satisfatórias das culturas. O Brasil apresenta elevada dependência externa e possui limitadas reservas de minerais solúveis de K, tradicionalmente explorados para a produção de fertilizantes. Por outro lado, é comum a ocorrência no país de minerais silicatados ricos em K não explorados comercialmente. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se caracterizar mineralógica e quimicamente amostras de verdete, separadas em frações granulométricas e avaliar seu potencial de uso com fertilizante potássico.A composição mineral do verdete é à base de glauconita, quartzo e feldspatos. Os teores totais de K2O no verdete variaram de 5,18 a 9,0 dag/kg. O teor de K extraído em água ou em ácido cítrico a 2% foi inferior a 2,4% do K total, indicando baixa reatividade do verdete e limitações para seu uso direto como fonte de K. O fracionamento físico e a sedimentação em água são processos ineficientes para promover a concentração de K nas diferentes frações do verdete. Os teores totais de K em algumas amostras de verdete são consideráveis, podendo viabilizar o uso desta rocha como matéria prima para produção de fertilizantes potássicos mais reativos.

Potassium is a nutrient found at low levels in Brazilian soils, requiring large inputs of fertilizers to achieve satisfactory crop yields. Brazil has high external dependence and limited reserves of soluble K mineral, which is traditionally exploited for the production of fertilizers. On the other hand, it is common the occurrence in the country of potassium-rich silicate minerals which are not commercially exploited. This study aimed to characterize mineralogically and chemically samples of verdete rock separated into size fractions and evaluate its potential as potassium fertilizer. The mineral composition of verdete rock is based on glauconite, quartz and feldspar. The total K2O content in verdete rock ranged from 5.18 to 9.0 dag/kg. The K content extracted in water or 2% citric acid was 2.4% below the total of K, indicating low reactivity of verdete rock and limitations for direct use as K source. The processes of physical fractionation and sedimentation in water are inefficient to promote the concentration of K in the different verdete rock fractions. The total K content in some samples are considerable and may enable the use of this rock as raw material for production of more reactive potassium fertilizers.

O extrator Mehlich-1 (M-1), assim como o Fosfato Monocálcico em ácido acético (FMCa), tem na acidez e na troca de ligantes - seja do sulfato do extrator pelo fosfato do solo ou do fosfato do extrator pelo sulfato do solo - os mecanismos de extração do P e do S disponíveis. Em solos argilosos, com maior poder de adsorção de P, ou menor valor de P-remanescente (P-rem), o que corresponde a solos com maior Poder-Tampão de Fosfato (PTF), mais tamponados para a acidez, o pH inicialmente baixo dos extratores é, durante o seu contato com o solo, aumentado em direção àquele do solo, e o sulfato do M-1 ou o fosfato do FMCa é adsorvido por sítios de adsorção ocupados ou não por esses ânions. Tal fato faz com que o extrator perca seu poder de extração, fenômeno conhecido como desgaste de extrator, objetivo de estudo deste trabalho. Escolheram-se 20 amostras de solos, de modo a cobrir a faixa do P-rem (0 a 60 mg L-1). Como medida do PTF, foi utilizado o P-rem. Os teores de P e de S disponíveis das amostras dos solos pelo M-1 e FMCa, de demais nutrientes e de matéria orgânica (MO) foram determinados. Para a determinação do desgaste dos extratores, após o período de repouso, foram medidos o pH e os teores de P e de S em ambos os extratos-solos. Houve efeito pouco expressivo, embora significativo, do desgaste da acidez dos extratores M-1 e FMCa com a diminuição do valor de P-rem. Observou-se para o M-1 um modelo linear plateau para desgaste descontínuo do teor do P, com a diminuição da concentração do P-rem ou aumento do PTF, sugerindo que se deve adotar um modelo também descontínuo para a interpretação do P-disponível de solos com diferentes valores de P-rem. Entretanto, observou-se resposta linear-contínua entre as variáveis P no extrato-solo e P-rem para o extrator FMCa, o que evidenciou desgaste crescente desse extrator com o aumento do PTF do solo, indicando a validade da relação linear entre o S disponível do solo e o PTF, estimado pelo P-rem, como atualmente adotada.

The Mehlich-1 (M-1) extractant and Monocalcium Phosphate in acetic acid (MCPa) have mechanisms for extraction of available P and S in acidity and in ligand exchange, whether of the sulfate of the extractant by the phosphate of the soil, or of the phosphate of the extractant by the sulfate of the soil. In clayey soils, with greater P adsorption capacity, or lower remaining P (Rem-P) value, which corresponds to soils with greater Phosphate Buffer Capacity (PBC), more buffered for acidity, the initially low pH of the extractants increases over their time of contact with the soil in the direction of the pH of the soil; and the sulfate of the M-1 or the phosphate of the MCPa is adsorbed by adsorption sites occupied by these anions or not. This situation makes the extractant lose its extraction capacity, a phenomenon known as loss of extraction capacity or consumption of the extractant, the object of this study. Twenty soil samples were chosen so as to cover the range of Rem-P (0 to 60 mg L-1). Rem-P was used as a measure of the PBC. The P and S contents available from the soil samples through M-1 and MCPa, and the contents of other nutrients and of organic matter were determined. For determination of loss of extraction capacity, after the rest period, the pH and the P and S contents were measured in both the extracts-soils. Although significant, the loss of extraction capacity of the acidity of the M-1 and MCPa extractants with reduction in the Rem-P value did not have a very expressive effect. A “linear plateau” model was observed for the M-1 for discontinuous loss of extraction capacity of the P content in accordance with reduction in the concentration of the Rem-P or increase in the PBC, suggesting that a discontinuous model should also be adopted for interpretation of available P of soils with different Rem-P values. In contrast, a continuous linear response was observed between the P variables in the extract-soil and Rem-P for the MCPa extractor, which shows increasing loss of extraction capacity of this extractor with an increase in the PBC of the soil, indicating the validity of the linear relationship between the available S of the soil and the PBC, estimated by Rem-P, as currently adopted.

The 10B isotope tracer technique is essential to study the B mobility in plants. Factors that can influence the quality of measured B isotope ratios were optimized experimentally using High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HRICP-MS). An isotopically certified standard (NIST SRM-951) was used. The best combination was obtained using a resolution of 400, a RF power of 1250 W, followed by 15 measurements over a 10-s integration period each (15*10). Utilizing this approach it was possible to obtain a precision of 0.3 % in standard material and 2z % in the experimental samples. The results show the importance of establishing optimized work conditions before carrying out the analytical series.

A deficiência de boro tem causado perdas expressivas de produtividade em extensas áreas de eucalipto no Brasil, principalmente na região do Cerrado. A mobilidade de B é um fator chave na seleção de materiais genéticos mais tolerantes à deficiência deste nutriente. Neste trabalho, a mobilidade de B foi avaliada em dois clones de eucalipto (68 e 129), com e sem deficiência de B, após a aplicação foliar do traçador isotópico 10B em uma única folha madura. Amostras de tecidos jovens, folhas maduras e raízes foram coletadas nos tempos de 0, 1, 5, 12 e 17 dias após a aplicação. A determinação da razão isotópica 10B:11B foi feita por meio de HR-ICP-MS. Foram coletadas amostras de folhas e do exsudato xilemático para determinação de açúcares solúveis e poliálcoois, por meio de cromatografia iônica. Houve translocação de B no eucalipto. O clone 129 apresentou maior translocação de B da folha aplicada para tecidos jovens, folhas maduras e raízes, quando comparado ao clone 68. Aos dezessete dias após a aplicação do 10B em uma única folha madura, entre 14 e 18 % do B do tecido jovem era proveniente do B aplicado. As plantas com suprimento adequado de B não apresentaram translocação do elemento.

Boron deficiency causes large productivity losses in eucalypt stands in extensive areas of the Brazilian Cerrado region, thus understanding B mobility is a key step in selecting genetic materials that will better withstand B limitation. Thus, in this study B mobility was evaluated in two eucalypt clones (68 and 129), under B sufficiency or B deficiency, after foliar application of the 10B isotope tracer to a single mature leaf. Samples of young tissue, mature leaves and roots were collected 0, 1, 5, 12 and 17 days after 10B application. The 10B:11B isotope ratio was determined by HR-ICP-MS. Samples of leaves and xylem sap were collected for the determination of soluble sugars and polyalcohols by ion chromatography. Boron was translocated within eucalypt. Translocation of foliar-applied 10B to the young tissues, mature leaves and roots was higher in clone 129 than in 68. Seventeen days after 10B application to a single mature leaf, between 14 and 18 % of B in the young tissue was originated from foliar B application. In plants with adequate B supply the element was not translocated out of the labeled leaf.

O mecanismo e a magnitude do transporte de B até as raízes das plantas dependem da umidade e do teor do nutriente no solo. As contribuições do fluxo de massa e da difusão para o transporte de B até as raízes de eucalipto foram avaliadas em resposta ao potencial de água do solo e às doses do nutriente. No ensaio, foram utilizados dois potenciais de água do solo (-10 e -40 kPa) e seis doses de B (0, 0,5, 1, 2, 3 e 5 mg dm-3 de B). As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos com capacidade de 2,5 dm³ em casa de vegetação. O controle do potencial da água do solo foi efetuado pelo uso de um tensiômetro por vaso, e o ajuste por acréscimo de água destilada. A máxima produção de matéria seca de raízes foi obtida nas doses correspondentes a 0,98 e 2,38 mg dm-3 de B nos potenciais de água de -10 e -40 kPa, respectivamente. A máxima produção de matéria seca de parte aérea foi obtida nas doses correspondentes a 0,96 e 1,82 mg dm-3 de B nos potenciais de água de -10 e -40 kPa, respectivamente. Foram observadas relações positivas e altamente significativas (p < 0,01) entre as doses de B aplicadas, o B extraível do solo, o B na solução do solo e o conteúdo de B na planta, para ambos os potenciais de água. O fluxo de massa foi o mecanismo predominante no transporte de B, chegando a suprir 100 % das necessidades das plantas nas doses mais elevadas do nutriente. O fluxo difusivo foi o mecanismo complementar de maior importância relativa no solo com baixo teor de B e com déficit hídrico.

The mechanism and magnitude of B transport to plant roots depend on both water and B soil contents. The contribution of mass flow and diffusion to the B transport in soil to eucalypt roots was evaluated in response to the water potential and B rates. Two water potentials (-10 and -40 kPa) and six B levels (0; 0.5; 1; 2; 3 and 5 mg dm-3 of B) were evaluated. The plants were grown in 2.5 dm³ plastic pots with soil, in a greenhouse. The water potential was controlled by a tensiometer in each pot and soil moisture adjusted with distilled water. The maximum root dry weight was produced at rates of 0.98 and 2.38 mg dm-3 of B, at potentials of -10 and -40 kPa, respectively, and the maximum shoot dry weight at rates of 0.96 and 1.82 mg dm-3 of B, at potentials of -10 and -40 kPa, respectively. Positive and highly significant relationships were observed between B rates, soil extractable B, B in soil solution and B plant content at both water potentials. Mass flow was the predominant mechanism for B transport in soil, supplying 100 % of the plant demand in the soils treated with the highest B rates. Diffusion was a complementary mechanism, but its relative increased substantially under conditions of low soil B and greater water deficit.

A exigência para boro (B) varia largamente entre e dentro das espécies vegetais. Objetivando avaliar a resposta de clones de eucalipto ao B em solução nutritiva foi realizado ensaio em casa de vegetação com oito clones. As plantas cresceram em soluções nutritivas com 0, 10, 20, 50 e 100 µmol/L de B, durante 70 dias. Na finalização do ensaio determinaram-se características fisiológicas, produção de matéria seca e teores de B no tecido vegetal. Houve resposta diferenciada dos clones à concentração de B na solução nutritiva, com máxima produção de matéria seca entre 28 e 69 µmol/L de B. Em baixas concentrações de B, pôde-se observar sintomas visuais de deficiência e, em altas concentrações, não foram observados sintomas de toxidez, porém houve redução na produção de matéria seca. A resposta do eucalipto ao B na solução nutritiva depende do clone, havendo diferenças entre eles na tolerância à deficiência e toxidez e na eficiência de utilização de B. Os clones 68 e 129 apresentaram as mais elevadas taxas de fotossíntese. O clone 3487 foi o mais responsivo ao B. Os clones 3487, 3336 e 68 foram mais sensíveis à deficiência e os clones 3281 e 1270 os mais tolerantes à deficiência. O clone 2486 foi o mais sensível à toxidez e o clone 3281 o mais tolerante. Os clones 3487, 2486 e 129 foram mais eficientes na utilização de B.

Boron (B) requirement for plant growth varies both within and among plant species. In order to evaluate the response of clones of eucalyptus to B in nutrient solution, an experiment was carried out under glasshouse conditions, with eight clones. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions at B concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 µmol/L for 70 days, after which, physiological variables, dry matter production and boron content were determined. There was a differential response of the eucalyptus clones to the concentration of boron in nutrient solution with maximum dry matter production occurring between 28 and 68 µmol/L of B in nutrient solution. At low concentrations of B, visual symptoms of deficiency were observed. At high B concentrations, toxicity symptoms were not observed; however, there was a reduction in dry matter production. The response to B depends on the clone. The clones 129 and 68 showed the highest rates of photosynthesis. The clone 3487 was the most responsive to B. The clones 3487, 3336 and 68 were more sensitive to B deficiency whereas clones 3281 and 1270 exhibited greater tolerance to B deficiency. Clone 2486 was the most sensitive to B toxicity and the clone 3281 showed the highest tolerance to B. Clones 3487, 2486 and 129 were more efficient in the use of boron.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção de matéria seca, o crescimento radicular e a absorção e distribuição do Ca, P e Al nas folhas, no caule e nas raízes de dois clones de café conilon (Coffea canephora) (Mtl 25 e Mtl 27) e de uma variedade de café Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica), cultivados em solução nutritiva com atividade crescente de Al3+. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos com capacidade para 5 L, contendo solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon, modificada. Após oito dias de adaptação, as plantas foram submetidas a concentrações de Al de 0, 500, 1.000 e 2.000 µmol L-1, que corresponderam a atividades de Al3+ em solução, estimadas pelo software GEOCHEM, de 20,68, 50,59, 132,9 e 330,4 µmol L-1, respectivamente. Foram determinados os teores de Ca, Al e P na planta. O sistema radicular foi separado, para determinação da área e do comprimento. A variedade Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica) apresentou-se menos sensível ao Al3+, quando comparada aos clones de conilon (Coffea canephora). O clone de conilon Mtl 25 foi menos sensível ao Al3+ em relação ao Mtl 27. O aumento da atividade de Al3+ promoveu redução nos teores de P e Ca nas folhas e raízes do cafeeiro, especialmente nos clones Mtl 25 e Mtl 27. O acúmulo de Al no sistema radicular e a restrição do transporte para a parte aérea são importantes fatores na tolerância de plantas ao Al3+.

This study had the objective of evaluating the dry matter production, root growth, and the absorption and distribution of Ca, P and Al in the leaves, stem and roots of two Conilon (Coffea canephora) coffee clones (Mtl 25 and Mtl 27) and the coffee variety Catuaí Amarelo (Coffea arabica) grown in nutrient solution with increasing Al3+ activity. The plants were cultivated in 5 L pots, containing modified Hoagland & Arnold nutrient solution. After eight days of adaptation, the plants were subjected to Al concentrations of 0, 500, 1.000 and 2.000 mol L-1, which corresponded to Al3+ activities of 20.68, 50.59, 132.9, and 330.4 mmol L-1, respectively in solution, estimated by the program GEOCHEM. The Ca, Al and P contents were quantified. The root system was separated to estimate area and length. The variety Catuaí Amarelo (Arabic Coffea) was less Al3+ sensitive than the Conilon (Coffea canephora) clones and Conilon Mtl 25 clone was less Al3+ sensitive than Mtl 27. A higher Al3+ activity resulted in a reduction of the P and Ca content in the coffee leaves and roots, especially in the clones Mtl 25 and Mtl 27. Al accumulation in the root system and the restriction of the transport to the aerial part are important factors in Al3+ tolerance of coffee plants.