Application Of Dolomitic Limestone Research Articles

Effect of Sheep Grazing, Stocking Rates and Dolomitic Limestone Application on the Floristic Composition of a Permanent Dryland Pasture, in the Montado Agroforestry System of Southern Portugal.

Simple SummaryThe Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region, where agricultural activities, animal production and forestry coexist alongside tourism, hunting and leisure activities. Animal grazing is fundamental for the conservation of the Montado, and it is imperative to clearly understand its interactions with the pasture floristic composition (PFC) of the Montado. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sheep grazing, stocking rates and dolomitic limestone application on the floristic composition of permanent dryland pastures, in the Montado agroforestry system of Southern Portugal. The type of grazing influences the PFC, which may be positively or negatively impacted, depending on the adopted system. Deferred grazing seems to benefit the disappearance of undesirable plants and the appearance of desired plants. The results of this study allow for more informed management decisions and a potential increase in animal production but also improve the knowledge of conservation strategies in the Montado.The Montado is a complex agroforestry–pastoral ecosystem due to the interactions between soil–pasture–trees–animals and climate. The typical Montado soil has an acidic pH and manganese toxicity, which affect the pasture’s productivity and pasture floristic composition (PFC). The PFC, on the other hand, can also be influenced by the type and intensity of grazing, which can lead to significant decreases in the amount of biomass produced and the biodiversity of species in the pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grazing type, by sheep, and different stocking rates on the PFC throughout the vegetative pasture cycle in areas with and without dolomitic limestone application. Thus, four treatments (P1UC to P4TC) were constituted: P1UC—without limestone application (U) and continuous grazing (CG); P2UD—U and deferred grazing (DG); P3TD—with the application of limestone (T) and DG; P4TC—T and CG. In DG plots, the placement and removal of the animals were carried out as a function of the average height of the pasture (placement—10 cm; removal—3 to 5 cm). The PFC was characterized in winter, at the peak of spring and in late spring. The PFC data were subjected to a multilevel pattern analysis (ISA). The combination of rainfall and temperature influenced the pasture growth rates and consequently the height of the pasture at different times of the year. Therefore, with the different growth rates of the pasture throughout the year, the sheep remain for different periods of time in the deferred grazing treatments. In the four treatments, 103 plant species were identified. The most representative botanical families in the four treatments were Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. ISA identified 14 bioindicator species: eight for the winter period, three for the late spring vegetative period and three for the TC treatment.

Thirty-year effects of liming on soil and foliage chemistry and growth of northern hardwoods in Pennsylvania, USA

The longevity of a single 22.4 Mg·ha−1 application of dolomitic limestone at four northern hardwood stands was evaluated over 30 years (1986–2016) to determine whether changes in soils, foliage, and tree growth were sustained on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania, USA. In limed plots, soils, sampled to 45–55 cm depth, and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) foliage had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) through 2016 compared with samples from unlimed plots. Ca and Mg capitals (g·m−2) in the Oi through A horizons combined were greater on limed plots than unlimed plots, largely due to increases in the thickness and nutrient concentration in the A horizon. Over 30 years, sugar maple basal area increment (cm2·year−1 BAINC) was greater in limed plots (30.6 cm2·year−1 vs unlimed 13.3), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) BAINC was unaffected by lime application, and black cherry BAINC was reduced in limed plots compared with unlimed plots. The sustained effect of this one-time lime treatment shows the strong role of efficient nutrient cycling in forests and suggests that the benefits over a substantial portion of a stand rotation may increase the feasibility of operational liming.

Can Soil pH Correction Reduce the Animal Supplementation Needs in the Critical Autumn Period in Mediterranean Montado Ecosystem?

Extensive livestock production in Mediterranean climate conditions and acidic soils requires animal feed supplementation. This occurs during the summer and, frequently, also in the autumn and winter, depending on the prevailing rainfall patterns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dolomitic limestone application and of tree canopy on availability, quality, and floristic composition of a permanent pasture, grazed by sheep. At the end of autumn, winter, and spring of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 pasture green and dry matter production (GM and DM, respectively), crude protein (CP), and fiber (neutral detergent fiber) were monitored in 24 sampling points. Half of these points were located in areas amended with dolomitic limestone (COR) and half in unamended areas (UCOR). In each of these, half of the sampling points were located under tree canopy (UTC) and half outside tree canopy (OTC). Pasture floristic composition was monitored in spring 2020. The results show, in autumn, a positive and significant effect (i) of soil pH amendment on pasture DM and CP daily growth rate (kg·ha−1·day−1) (+28.8% and +42.6%, respectively), and (ii) of tree canopy on pasture CP daily growth rate (+26.4%). Both factors affect pasture floristic composition. Pasture species were identified as potential bio-indicators, characteristic of each field area. These results show the practical interest of the soil pH correction to reduce the animal supplementation needs in the critical autumn period in the Mediterranean montado ecosystem.

Tillering and Structural Characteristics of Panicum Cultivars in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Panicum maximum grasses are among the most used in Brazil because they have high forage production potential, nutritional value and adaptation to different climate conditions and in poor soils, which have been improved by the application of dolomitic limestone and nitrogen fertilizers and K2O, P2O5. The aim was to evaluate the tillering capacity and structural characteristics of six cultivars of Panicum maximum in the Brazilian semiarid region. The test was configured as a randomized block design with six treatments—the cultivars Aruana, Massai, Mombaça, Tamani, Tanzânia, and Zuri—and four replications. The studied variables included tiller population dynamics, tiller population density (TPD), appearance rate (ApR), mortality (MorB), tiller survival (SuvP), tiller stability index, height, light interception (LI), forage mass (FM), and morphological constituents. As to the population dynamics of tillers, seven generations were evaluated, and the largest number of tillers was observed in the first generation, regardless of the cultivar. Furthermore, the Massai cultivar demonstrated the highest TPD in all generations. Interaction between the cultivar and evaluation period was noted for ApR: the cultivars Tamani and Tanzânia indicated higher ApR at 122 and 137 days after establishment. The cultivar (P = 0.380) and evaluation period (P = 0.4469) had no effect on SuvP; however, higher MorB was detected in the cultivars Aruana and Tamani compared to Mombaça and Zuri, with intermediate values detected in the other cultivars. The highest FM was observed in the cultivars Massai, Mombaça, and Tamani, as well as in the leaf blade of Massai and Mombaça. The cultivars Massai, Mombaça, Tamani, Tanzânia, and Zuri have the potential to be cultivated in areas with marked water deficit and high temperatures, such as the Brazilian semiarid region. The cultivar Massai has a rapid recovery after a period of water scarcity. The cultivar Aruana is not recommended for use in the Brazilian semiarid region under rainfed conditions.

Silicon as an acidity corrective associated with Azospirillum brasilense to improve nitrogen management and wheat profitability

This research aimed to study a possible synergistic effect with inoculation with A. brasilense and N doses, associated with the application of silicon in acidity corrective form, evaluating the grain yield of irrigated wheat in Cerrado region. The experiment was conducted in Selviria, MS, Brazil, under a no-till system, on a Latossolo Vermelho distrofico (Oxisol). The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two soil corrective sources (dolomitic limestone and Ca and Mg silicate as source of Si); five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) applied in topdressing; and with and without inoculation with A. brasilense. Inoculation makes wheat production more profitable, irrespective of N doses and corrective sources. The N dose of 139 kg ha-1 with dolomitic limestone associated with inoculation of A. brasilense provided the greatest grain yield. However, the highest economic return was obtained at the N dose of 100 kg ha-1, with dolomitic limestone application and inoculation.

Tuber yield and allocation of nutrients and carbohydrates in potato plants as affected by limestone type and magnesium supply

Magnesium (Mg) is a nutrient that affects the development of plants and is mainly supplied through liming performed to correct soil acidity. By acting on photosynthesis and influencing carbohydrate partitioning in the plant, supplementary Mg supplied through soil or foliar application can increase the yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental Mg fertilization by soil or foliar application on plant nutritional status, tuber yield, and carbohydrate partitioning in potato crops in soil corrected with calcitic and dolomitic limestones. The experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions with a randomized block design in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme with four replications. Dolomitic limestone application and supplemental Mg fertilization via soil increased the concentrations of this nutrient in potato leaves. Liming with dolomitic limestone reduced the uptake of Ca and K by plants, but supplemental Mg fertilization did not alter the uptake of Ca, Mg or K. Supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase plant growth and tuber yield, even when calcitic limestone was used to elevate the base saturation to 60%; the exchangeable Mg concentration in soil was 9 mmolc dm−3, and the Ca:Mg relationship was 3.7. Liming with dolomitic limestone or providing supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase sugar and starch partitioning to the tubers.

Technical and Economic Viability of Corn with Azospirillum brasilense Associated with Acidity Correctives and Nitrogen

There is a lack of more comprehensive research defining how much mineral N can be applied as regards the efficiency of BNF to attain high with Azospirillum brasilense, what is a bacterium that stands out for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in corn crops, reaching economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate the use of silicon, which exerts numerous benefits on grasses, especially when the plants are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this work was to study a synergistic effect between the inoculation with A. brasilense and the application of silicon, thus enabling a higher efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, evaluating the grain yield of irrigated corn in economic terms. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, under a no-till system, on a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two soil corrective sources (dolomitic limestone and Ca and Mg silicate as source of Si); five doses of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1); with and without inoculation with A. brasilense. The inoculation makes the corn increase much more profitable, irrespective of N doses and corrective source. The N dose of 200 kg ha-1 with dolomitic limestone, associated with inoculation provided greater grain yield. However, the highest economic return was obtained at the N dose of 100 kg ha-1, with dolomitic limestone application and inoculation.

Effects of Dolomitic Limestone Application on Zinc Speciation in Boreal Forest Smelter-Contaminated Soils.

Anthropogenic activities at the HudBay Minerals, Inc., Flin Flon (Manitoba, Canada) mining and processing facility have severely affected the surrounding boreal forest ecosystem. Soil contamination occurred via a combination of metal and sulfuric acid deposition and has resulted in forest dieback and ineffective natural recovery. A community-led effort to revegetate areas of the landscape through the application of a dolomitic limestone has been met with varied success. Zinc (Zn) speciation has shown to be closely linked to the presence or absence of an invasive metal-tolerant grass species, with soils being broadly classed into two revegetation response groups. Group I, characterized by the absence of metal-tolerant grasses, and group II, characterized by the presence of metal-tolerant grasses. The systematic approach used to lime areas of the landscape produced a liming chronosequence for each group. This study used a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence mapping, and X-ray diffraction techniques to determine the effect of liming on Zn speciation in these chronosequences. Liming group I soils resulted in the formation of a neo-phase Zn-Al-hydroxy interlayer coprecipitate and subsequent rapid boreal forest revegetation. The effect of liming on Zn speciation on the group II soils resulted in a gradual transition of increasingly stable adsorption species, culminating with a stable Zn-Al-layered double hydroxide precipitate. Boreal forest vegetation has failed to recolonize group II soils during the study. However, the formation of the layered double hydroxide species resulted in a significant reduction in CaCl-extractable Zn. Further research is required to determine how to promote the revegetation of these soils.

The Effect of Limestone and Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers Application on Soil pH Value and on the Forage Production of Permanent Grassland

The changes of soil pH and dry forage yield of permanent grassland after application of dolomitic limestone and stabilized nitrogen fertilizers are described in this paper. The small‑plot experiment was located on semi‑natural grassland at Bohemian‑Moravian Highlands, near village Kameničky (Czech Republic), with poor and acidic soil. The experiment was divided into two blocks, within one of whose dolomitic limestone was applied in autumn 2013. In each block, 4 experimental treatments were applied: 1. control (untreated), 2. Urea, 3. Urea with inhibitor of urease, 4. Urea with inhibitor of nitrification. After liming, the pH/CaCl2 soil values increased in both the first as well as the second year after application. Fertilizing by urea, namely urea with inhibitors, did not significantly influence the pH/CaCl2 values. Dry forage productions in both years were comparable. In comparison to the untreated variants, significant increase in dry forage yield was achieved after application of urea and urea with urease inhibitors. The impact of stabilized fertilizers on the yield was not proven. In case of the limed variants, yield drop by 1.12 t/ha (average of both years) was observed; the yield decrease may be connected with disturbance of production potential of the stable community of plant species that had been adapted to acidic locations.

MANAGEMENT OF ROOT ROT IN AVOCADO TREES

ABSTRACT Root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands) is one of the most restrictive factors to avocado growing in main producing regions worldwide. In Brazil, scientific reports on the effectiveness of control methods are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of gypsum applications and dolomitic limestone to the soil and potassium phosphite sprays in controlling this disease in ‘Hass’ avocado, grown without irrigation. The application of dolomitic limestone or gypsum alone is not effective to recover plants affected by root rot. The application of potassium phosphite, combined or not with dolomitic lime or gypsum enables the partial recovery ‘Hass’ avocado plants affected by the disease.

Effects of surface application of dolomitic limestone and calcium-magnesium silicate on soybean and maize in rotation with green manure in a tropical region

Although lime is currently the material most frequently used to ameliorate soil acidity in Brazil, silicate could efficiently replace this source because of its greater solubility and its greater silicon content, which are beneficial for plant development. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of superficial lime and silicate application on soil chemical attributes as well as on soybean and maize nutrition and grain yields when these crops are grown in rotation with green manure. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with sixteen replicates. Plots were treated with one of two materials for acidity correction (dolomitic lime and calcium/magnesium silicate) or with no soil correction, as a control. Silicate corrected soil acidity and increased exchangeable base levels in soil at greater depths faster than does liming. The application of both acidity-correcting materials increased N, Ca and Mg leaf concentrations, and all yield components and grain yield in soybean; but in maize, just silicate also increased N and Si when compared with lime, whereas both acidity-correcting increased just two yield components: grains per ear and mass of 100 grains, resulting in highest grain yield. The application of both acidity-correcting materials increased dry matter production of green manures, but for pigeon pea the silicate provided the best result in this dry-winter region.

Effects of biochar and/or dolomitic limestone application on the properties of Ultisol cropped to maize under glasshouse conditions

Rabileh, M. A., Shamshuddin, J., Panhwar, Q. A., Rosenani, A. B. and Anuar, A. R. 2015. Effects of biochar and/or dolomitic limestone application on the properties of Ultisol cropped to maize under glasshouse conditions. Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 37–47. Ultisols in the tropics are characterized by low pH and high exchangeable Al. Maize grown on them produces low yield. A study was conducted to determine changes in soil properties and their subsequent effects on maize growth, resulting from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) biochar and/or dolomitic limestone application. The results show that the application of the EFB biochar improved soil fertility by increasing soil pH. The Al3+activities in the soil solution decreased exponentially with increasing rate of the biochar application. The decrease in Al in the biochar-treated soil occurred because: (1) at the rate of>5 t ha−1, soil solution pH increased significantly, precipitating Al as gibbsite; and (2) the biochar was able to fix some of the Al by chelation. Application of the biochar alone or in combination with lime significantly improved maize growth. The critical Al3+activity for maize grown on Ultisol was 10 µM, while critical pH was 4.7–4.8. Maize grown on the EFB biochar-amended soils produced greater root length compared with that of the control. The optimal rate of EFB biochar application to improve the productivity of the Ultisol for maize production under glasshouse condition was 5–10 t ha−1.

Resposta de cultivares de feijoeiro comum à calagem superficial em semeadura direta

Soil acidity in no tillage system, if not in high situations, can be neutralized by lime surface application, improving mineral nutrition and crop yield. Aiming to evaluate the agronomic performance of common bean cultivars, to surface lime application, in no tillage system, an experiment was conducted in Oxisol, Botucatu Municipal District, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was a complete randomized block in split plot with four replications, where the plots were formed by common bean cultivars (Carioca, IAC Carioca Eté, Pérola, IAPAR 81 e Campeão 2) and subplots consisted of surface application of dolomitic limestone (zero, 1.8 t ha-1, 3.6 t ha-1 and 5.4 t ha-1). The surface lime application on the soil occurred in October 2002 and subsequently the sequence millet (spring) – beans (summer) – oat (autumn-winter) were planted under rainfed conditions. Bean cultivars sowing were done on December 17, 2003. It can be concluded that there is influence of cultivars and limestone surface application under no tillage, where IAPAR 81 showed better grain yield with the increase of lime rates, obtaining values of 2,025 kg ha-1 without the lime application to 2,655 kg ha-1 with 5.4 t ha-1 lime rate, obtaining 31% yield increase.

Effects of Liming on Forage Availability and Nutrient Content in a Forest Impacted by Acid Rain

Acidic deposition and subsequent forest soil acidification and nutrient depletion can affect negatively the growth, health and nutrient content of vegetation, potentially limiting the availability and nutrient content of forage for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other forest herbivores. Liming is a mitigation technique that can be used to restore forest health in acidified areas, but little is known about how it affects the growth or nutrient content of deer forage. We examined the effects of dolomitic limestone application on the growth and chemical composition of understory plants in an acidified forest in central Pennsylvania, with a focus on vegetative groups included as white-tailed deer forage. We used a Before-After-Control-Impact study design with observations 1 year before liming and up to 5 years post-liming on 2 treated and 2 untreated 100-ha sites. Before liming, forage availability and several nutrients were below levels considered optimal for white-tailed deer, and many vegetative characteristics were related to soil chemistry. We observed a positive effect of liming on forb biomass, with a 2.7 fold increase on limed sites, but no biomass response in other vegetation groups. We observed positive effects of liming on calcium and magnesium content and negative effects on aluminum and manganese content of several plant groups. Responses to liming by forbs and plant nutrients show promise for improving vegetation health and forage quality and quantity for deer.

Impact of Management Systems on Soil Properties and Their Relationships to Kiwifruit Quality

Crop quality depends on several factors, among which soil properties play a great role. The use of organic products as sources of plant nutrients to improve crop quality has been established. The use of biological nutrient sources to improve crop quality as well as improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties could be a viable alternative to organic and/or conventional farming. However, there is little information available on how soil properties and kiwifruit quality are affected by the use of a biological farming system. Therefore, research was conducted with the objective of comparing the response of conventional, organic, and biological management systems on soil properties and kiwifruit quality in respect to Actinidia deliciosa (Hayward) and A. chinensis (Hort16A). Greatest soil bulk density and lowest gas phase, maximum water-holding capacity, gravitational drainage, and hygroscopic moisture were observed in Hayward in both biological and conventional management systems. The variations in soil properties for total pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and aluminium (Al) were linked to management practices, and electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) were linked to cultural species. The Ca/Mg ratio of these orchards was more than 7:1, and the Mg/K ratio was less than 2:1, indicating application of dolomitic limestone is recommended over high-Ca liming materials. The greatest yield, total soluble solids, and ionic strength were obtained in Hort16A from conventional management. Greater P, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu levels were recorded in organic Hayward than in other management systems. However, greater total N, K, Mg, S, Na, Mn, and B contents were observed in conventional Hort16A than in organic, biological, or conventional Hayward. The results of this study indicated that all macronutrients flux in Hort16A better than in Hayward. On the other hand, flux of micronutrients in Hayward was greater than in Hort16A. The cost/benefit ratio is the most favorable, that is, lowest, for organic Hayward on volcanic soils in the Bay of Plenty.

Analysis of the aerial application of fertilizer and dolomitic limestone

The paper evaluates the quality of revitalization treatments (fertilization and liming) carried out in selected areas within Forests of the Slovakia (state enterprise) during the year 2008. Revitalization treatments were carried out in declining Norway spruce forest stands in different site conditions. Full-scale aerial technology (helicopter and crop duster) was applied. The aim of the study was to find out the total amount and its variability of both fertilizers and dolomitic limestone after their application. The analyses revealed significant differences between the amount of fertilizer and dolomitic limestone which was applied to selected areas and the required amount (norm). As for fertilization, the largest difference was found in magnesium (Mg) on Šaling area (the amount of magnesium reached only 7% ± 0.5 of the norm) and in zinc (Zn) on Ľadová area (only 8% ± 1 of the norm). The required amount according to the norm was approximately met in boron (B) on Ľadová area (65% ± 10 of the norm). Yet, a significantly lower amount of fertilizers than the required one was revealed on all selected areas. After the application of dolomitic limestone to Liptovská Teplička area the significantly lower amount than the required one was found out (72% ± 12 of the norm). On the other hand, the significantly higher amount of dolomitic limestone than the required one was determined on Smolník area (143% ± 27 of the norm). Results also show the huge spatial variability of both fertilizers and dolomitic limestone on all selected areas (from 40% up to 100% between collecting places, and up to almost 170% between collectors within the collecting places). Such high variability of applied fertilizers and dolomitic limestone and the lower total amount than the required one will influence the effect of revitalization treatments.

Element concentrations and storage in the aboveground biomass of limed and unlimed Norway spruce trees at Höglwald

Twenty years after the application of dolomitic limestone to a well growing, mature Norway spruce stand at Hoglwald, Southern Germany an amount of magnesium equal to the input by liming has left the rooting zone. However, 80% of the applied calcium was retained by the ecosystem. A detailed biomass investigation was carried out in order to elaborate whether the stand shows any nutritional benefits and if the aboveground tree biomass represents a sink for calcium and magnesium after liming. Stem wood, bark, branches, twigs, and needles were analysed for the major nutrients. Needles showed higher calcium and magnesium concentrations and significantly lower potassium concentrations on the limed plot. Surprisingly, limed trees had significantly lower magnesium concentrations in the bark but higher concentrations in twigs and needles than unlimed trees. In addition, significantly lower concentrations for potassium, sulphur, and phosphorus were measured in the bark of limed trees, whereas the element concentrations in the wood were rather similar between the two treatments. The low potassium concentrations in bark and needles indicate an impeded potassium uptake after liming presumably due to a calcium potassium antagonism. Magnesium is probably used to compensate the relative lack of potassium. The small differences in the calculated nutrient storage of limed and unlimed trees, however, suggest that the aboveground biomass can be excluded as a relevant sink for the applied calcium and magnesium at the Hoglwald site.

Influence of a planting hole application of dolomitic limestone powder and basalt grit on the growth of Carpathian birch (Betula carpatica W. et K.) and soil chemistry in the air-polluted Jizerské hory Mts.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth potential of Carpathian birch (<I>Betula carpatica</I> W. et K.) at an environmentally harsh mountain site and a response of this species to altered soil chemistry after dolomitic limestone and basalt grit applications. The Carpathian birch proved to be a suitable species for the replanting of extreme acidic mountain sites. This birch shows a low mortality rate, grows well in the clear-felled patches and soon forms a cover which is necessary for the reintroducing of more sensitive tree species. The application of dolomitic limestone and basalt grit resulted in the slower growth of Carpathian birch plantations. Liming raised soil reaction, sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation, cation exchange capacity and reduced exchangeable Al content. On the other hand, liming decreased an amount of oxidizable soil organic matter and negatively affected soil N, exchangeable P and K. Basalt grit increased exchangeable P and K contents and raised soil reaction, however only slightly. The influence of basalt grit on the sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation and cation exchange capacity was also less pronounced compared to liming. Basalt grit elevated the proportion of exchangeable aluminium and reduced the content of soil N.

Análise de crescimento de girassol em Latossolo com diferentes níveis de saturação por bases no Cerrado

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de cinco cultivares de girassol em um Latossolo Vermelho argiloso, foram realizados quatro ensaios sob quatro níveis de saturação por bases (18%, 35%, 56% e 77%) obtidos com aplicação de calcário dolomítico. Os dados semanais de crescimento foram ajustados pelas funções logística, Weibull de três parâmetros e a logística generalizada de quatro parâmetros empregando-se o procedimento NLIN do SAS, bem como os processos interativos do método DUD. A função logística forneceu os melhores ajustes aos dados de crescimento. As cultivares foram categorizadas de acordo com o porte das plantas e tendências de crescimento a partir da análise de agrupamentos (cluster analysis), usando o método das ligações completas e a métrica da distância euclidiana. Todas as cultivares tiveram o crescimento reduzido quando o nível de saturação de bases foi de 18%. A cultivar M734 apresentou bom desempenho no nível de 35% de saturação por bases. Nos demais casos, os melhores resultados foram obtidos nos níveis de saturação por bases entre 56% e 77%. As cultivares EMBRAPA 122 e M738 tiveram redução de crescimento quando a saturação foi elevada para 77%. 'EMBRAPA 122' apresentou maior crescimento inicial e menor altura ao final do ciclo vegetativo.

Calcário e potássio para a cultura de soja

Durante três anos agrícolas foi conduzido um experimento em Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro álico, textura argilosa em Mococa, SP, para estudar o efeito da aplicação de doses de calcário dolomítico (0, 3,5 e 7 t ha-1) e de potássio (0, 150, 300, 450 e 600 kg ha-1 de K2O na forma de KCl) sobre a produtividade da soja. Os dois insumos foram aplicados a lanço e incorporados ao solo. Foram utilizados os cultivares IAC-17 e FT-2, ambos com 110 dias de ciclo, cujas sementes foram inoculadas com Bradyrhizobium fixador do N atmosférico. Na análise conjunta, verificou-se que a máxima eficiência técnica seria obtida com 383 e 441 kg ha-1 de K2O, em associação, respectivamente, com 3,5 e 7 t ha-1 de calcário, e também quando as relações de (Ca + Mg)/K foram, em média, de 14 a 23 no solo. A produtividade do cv. FT-2 sempre foi maior do que a do IAC-17, exceto na ausência da adubação potássica. As produtividades máximas de 2384 e 1786 kg ha-1, foram obtidas para os cultivares FT-2 e IAC-17 com a adubação de 450 e 370 kg ha-1 de K2O, respectivamente. Com os mesmos 370 kg ha-1 de K2O aplicados no cv. IAC-17, seriam obtidos 2354 kg ha-1 com o cv. FT-2, o que é indicativo da maior eficiência deste genótipo na utilização do nutriente potássico aplicado.