Abstract
Zinc uptake is essential for crop development; thus, knowledge about soil zinc availability is fundamental for fertilization in periods of higher crop demand. A nonlinear first-order kinetic model has been employed to evaluate zinc availability. Studies usually employ few observations; however, inference in nonlinear models is only valid for sufficiently large samples. An alternative is the Bayesian method, where inferences are made in terms of probability, which is effective even with small samples. The aim of this study was to use Bayesian methodology to evaluate the fitness of a nonlinear first-order kinetic model to describe zinc extraction from soil with sewage sludge using seven different extraction solutions. The analysed data were obtained from an experiment using a completely randomized design and three replicates. Fifteen zinc extractions were evaluated for each extraction solution. Posterior distributions of a study that evaluated the nonlinear first-order kinetic model were used as prior distributions in the present study. Using the full conditionals, samples of posterior marginal distributions were generated using the Gibbs sampler and Metropolis-Hastings algorithms and implemented in R. The Bayesian method allowed the use of posterior distributions of another study that evaluated the model used as prior distributions for parameters in the present study. The posterior full conditional distributions for the parameters were normal distributions and gamma distributions, respectively. The Bayesian method was efficient for the study of the first-order kinetic model to describe zinc extraction from soil with sewage sludge using seven extraction solutions.
Highlights
The fate of sewage sludge generated in treatment plants is a large problem for sanitation companies
The Bayesian method was efficient for the study of the first-order kinetic model to describe zinc extraction from soil with sewage sludge using seven extraction solutions
The analysed data were extracted from Souza et al (2010); the data are the results expressed as means from an experiment that evaluated fifteen sequential zinc extractions from soil with sewage sludge using seven different extraction solutions, with a completely randomized experimental design and three replicates
Summary
The fate of sewage sludge generated in treatment plants is a large problem for sanitation companies. Due to its high organic matter and nutrient contents, the use of sewage sludge in agriculture has been observed to be beneficial to the supply of macro and micronutrients to plants (Carvalho, Ribeirinho, Andrade, Grutzmacher, & Pires, 2015; Silva & Andrade Pinto, 2010). Micronutrient uptake is essential for crop growth and development, and the lack of a given micronutrient may cause significant decreases in crop yield. Micronutrient availability in periods of higher plant demand is essential to avoid limitations to crop yield (Crusciol, Carmeis Filho, Fernandes, & Alvarez, 2016). Crusciol et al (2016) investigated different plant parts of several rice cultivars and observed different micronutrient uptake rates and accumulation and higher yields for cultivars that present higher micronutrient uptake Micronutrient availability in periods of higher plant demand is essential to avoid limitations to crop yield (Crusciol, Carmeis Filho, Fernandes, & Alvarez, 2016). Marré et al (2015) evaluated micronutrient accumulation in coffee fruits with different maturation cycles and observed that the maturation cycle should be considered for correct soil fertilization. Crusciol et al (2016) investigated different plant parts of several rice cultivars and observed different micronutrient uptake rates and accumulation and higher yields for cultivars that present higher micronutrient uptake
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call