Abstract
ABSTRACT In the Brazilian Savanna, most of the soils have a low natural fertility. In order to overcome this limitation, farmers use large amounts of soluble fertilizers, causing environmental impacts. In the present study, finely ground biotite syenite (0; 600; 1,200; 1,800; and 2,400 kg ha-1) was evaluated as an alternative source of nutrients and electrical charges in a weathered Ferralsol from the Brazilian Savanna. Additionally, the development and nutrition of maize plants were analyzed. The values of Ca + Mg, T, t, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in the soil were not affected by the addition of biotite syenite, but the available P and K and the permanent charges were increased. The biotite did not increase the contents of P, Ca and Cu in the maize leaves, but it increased the contents of N and K. Increases of 103, 125 and 128 % were also detected, respectively, for plant height, stem diameter and leaf dry matter. The biotite syenite was able to increase the soil P, K and permanent charges, as well as the maize uptake of N and K, thus helping in the plant growth.
Highlights
The agricultural production in Brazil has increased, driven by technological advances for cultivation in the central region of the country called Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna)
Washed out plant nutrients are the major constituent of agricultural drainage waters, what may result in the eutrophication of rivers and lakes (Steffen et al 2015, Mudaly & van der Laan 2020)
The values of pH, H + Al, total organic carbon, Ca + Mg, T, t, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in the soil were not affected by the addition of biotite syenite; 2
Summary
The agricultural production in Brazil has increased, driven by technological advances for cultivation in the central region of the country called Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna). In this area, approximately 46 % of the soils are classified as Oxisols, i.e., highly weathered soils with low fertility (Lopes & Guilherme 2016). In order to overcome this limitation, several procedures are employed, including the massive addition of soluble fertilizers. The excessive use of soluble fertilizers has drawn attention, due to its environmental impacts. Synthetic fertilizers are the main anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the greenhouse gases with highest global-warming potential (Houghton et al 2001). Washed out plant nutrients are the major constituent of agricultural drainage waters, what may result in the eutrophication of rivers and lakes (Steffen et al 2015, Mudaly & van der Laan 2020)
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