Furrow Application Research Articles

Reduced fertilization boosts soil quality and economic benefits in semiarid apple orchard: A two-year appraisal of fertigation strategy

Long-term overfertilization not only aggravates environmental costs, but reduces the quality and yield of fruit in dryland apple orchard, and this issue is closely associated with post-germination fertilization management. On the basis of multi-year observations, we developed a targeted fertigation strategy of FORD, i.e. formula fertilization (rational fertilizer scheme), on-demand fertilization in the sensitive period, reduced fertilization and delayed fertilization. Two-year field investigations were conducted with conventional furrow application (CK), integrated furrow and injection application (FI) and the optimized injection application under the FORD principle in a semiarid apple orchard. The data indicated that FI and FORD had a similar fruit yield of 57.2 Mg ha-1, significantly greater (by 4.5%) than CK. Yet, fruit quality (nutrition, flavor and appearance) was substantially improved under FORD, relative to FI and CK (P<0.05). Importantly, FORD did not induce secondary salinization (soil electric conductivity (EC) of 100-500 μs cm-1, pH of 7.8), but significantly improved soil microbial biomass carbon and the activities of carbon turnover key enzymes (β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase). As a result, FORD induced a better functioning of leaves, and a faster speed of fruit expansion than CK and FI did. Totally, the above parameters were positively associated with the efficient couplings of water and fertilizer, which critically depended on nutrients rational supply in FORD. Notably, relative to CK and FI, FORD reduced the fertilization cost by 27.8% and 8.3% respectively, accordingly harvesting 38.1% and 11.6% higher net economic return (2.94×104 US$ ha-1). In summary, there existed remarkable positive effects of FORD-led fertigation strategy on fruit yield, quality and economic benefits. The FORD can be viewed as a general environment-friendly strategy to guide apple post-germination fertilization management for greater economic benefits.

Furrow Application of Lime on Growth and Yield of Potato in Acid Soils of North Bank Plain Zone of Assam, India

A research experiment was successfully conducted at farmers’ field in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) during the year 2022 - 23 by application of lime to ameliorate the soil acidity for better production of potato in three villages of Lakhimpur District of Assam. There were 3 Technologies i.e. (TO-1: Lime @ 2 – 4 q/ha + 50% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) that is NPK @ 60:50:50 kg/ha, TO-2: RDF (NPK@ 60:50:50 kg/ ha)and TO-3: Farmers Practice). The experiment was conducted in total area of 0.3 ha following randomized block design. The outcomes revealed that application of lime @ 2 – 4 q/ha in furrows + 50% RDF (NPK@ 60:50:50 kg/ha) gave higher yield of 93.7 q/ha and in farmers practice it gave 74.2 q/ha having B:C ratio of 2.33 and 2.10, respectively. With the integration of lime and chemical fertilizers the soil nutrient status improved as compared to the plot receiving only chemical fertilizers and to the Farmers practice. So, application of lime in furrows @ 2 – 4 q/ha and 50% RDF (NPK@ 60:50:50 kg/ha) is economical and profit oriented for small land holding farmers of that region and maintaining the soil acidity in Lakhimpur district of Assam.

Macronutrient distribution in soil subjected to raw sanitary sewage application by closed-end furrows

This work aimed to evsaluate the influence of raw sanitary sewage (RS) application in closed-end and level-bottom furrows on the distribution of macronutrients and sodium in the soil along its depth. The applied amount of RS was controlled due to the harmful effect of sodium, with a weekly application over three consecutive years. The experimental design consisted of two experimental plots receiving RS, one with alternating the site of effluent application (alternation of inlet and outlet—TFA) and the other without alternating the site of application (only inlet—TFN); and two experimental plots receiving conventional mineral fertilization, both irrigated with public water supply, where one alternated the site of water application (alternation of inlet and outlet—TWA) and the other without alternating the site of application (only inlet—TWN). The inversion of the flow direction with RS application in the closed-end furrows (TFA) provided a better distribution of nutrients in the soil along its length. There was no significant difference in the levels of macronutrients and sodium between the initial and final regions of the furrow soil. In contrast, the fixed flow direction experimental unit (TFN) exhibit a significant difference between the initial and final levels of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sodium in the closed furrows with mean concentrations of 265.2, 16.2, 46.7 and 110.0 mg dm−3, respectively.

Zoning Prediction and Mapping of Three-Dimensional Forest Soil Organic Carbon: A Case Study of Subtropical Forests in Southern China

Accurate soil organic carbon (SOC) maps are helpful for guiding forestry production and management. Different ecological landscape areas within a large region may have different soil–landscape relationships, so models specifically for these areas may capture these relationships more accurately than the global model for the entire study area. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of zonal modelling in predicting forest SOC and to produce highly accurate forest SOC distribution maps. The prediction objects were SOC at five soil depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm). First, the forest type map and soil texture class map were used to divide the relative homogeneous regions in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, China. Second, seven terrain variables derived from a 12.5-m digital elevation model (DEM) and five vegetation variables generated from 10-m Sentinel-2 remote sensing images were used as predictors to develop regional artificial neural network (ANN) models for each homogeneous region, as well as a global ANN model for the entire study area (1000 sample points). Finally, 10-fold cross-validation was used to assess the ANN prediction model performance, and independent validation was used to evaluate the produced forest SOC prediction maps (194 additional samples). The cross-validation results showed that the accuracies of the regional models were better than that of the global model. Independent validation results also showed that the precision (R2) of 0- to 100-cm forest SOC maps generated by forest type modelling had an improvement of 0.05–0.15, and that by soil texture class modelling had an improvement of 0.07–0.13 compared to the map generated by the global model. In conclusion, delineating relatively homogeneous regions via simple methods can improve prediction accuracy when undertaking soil predictions over large areas, especially with complex forest landscapes. In addition, SOC in the study area is generally more abundant in broadleaf forest and clay areas, with overall levels decreasing with soil depth. Accurate SOC distribution information can provide references for fertilization and planting. Plants with particularly high soil fertility requirements may perhaps be planted in broadleaf forests or clay areas, and plants with particularly developed roots may require furrow application of a small amount of SOC.

Sugarcane Productivity as a Function of Zinc Dose and Application Method

Sugarcane is one of the main crops in Brazilian agriculture. It has high economic and productive potential, but its current productivity is still lacking due to poor nutritional management in both the soil and the plant. Zinc (Zn) directly affects tillering and plant growth, which are critical factors to sugarcane productivity and ratoon longevity. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of Zn chelate doses (185, 260, and 330 g ha−1) and two application methods (furrow and foliar applications) on the tillering, yield, and quality of sugarcane. The Zn chelate fertilization via furrow at a dose of 330 kg ha−1 provided increases of 13.59%, 17.6%, and 17.0% in stalk height (SH), stalk (TSH) productivity, and sugar (TPH) productivity, respectively. In contrast, Zn foliar application at a dose of 260 g ha−1 provided increases of 3.71%, 20.7%, and 17.0% in SH, TSH, and TPH, respectively. The optimal Zn chelate fertilization in sugarcane cultivation can be performed at a dose of 330 g ha−1 via furrow application at planting or at a dose of 260 g ha−1 via foliar application 145 days after planting.

Effects of soil treated fungicide fluopimomide on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) disease control and plant growth.

Fluopimomide is a novel acid amide fungicide registered for the control of many plant pathogens. In the present study, the effects of soil-treated fluopimomide on soil micro biomass, disease incidence, plant growth, soil enzyme activity, and marketable yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were investigated via field trial. In addition, the application prospect in China was also evaluated. In the experiment, five treatments with three replications and a randomized complete block design were followed. The treatments were: furrow application of fluopimomide (25% suspension concentrate, SC) at the dosage of 375, 750, and 1,500 g ha−1, which was recommended, double recommended, and quadruple recommended dosages, respectively. Besides, common control fungicide fluopicolide (5% SC) furrow was applied at recommended application dosages of 750 mL ha−1, and a non-treated control was also undertaken. Results indicated that fluopimomide exhibited no effects on the amount of soil bacteria and actinomycetes, and its inhibition effect on fungi amount could be recovered at 60 days after treatment (DAT). With the recommended application dosage, fluopimomide could efficiently reduce the number of plant pathogens in soil by 79.56–85.80%, significantly reduce the disease incidences in tomato plants by 80.00–88.24%, and improve plant height by 13.25–24.05% and marketable yield by 16.88%. Furthermore, soil enzymes exhibited a complex response to fluopimomide, and AOB and nifH gene copy numbers were increased by the double and quadruple recommended dosage of fluopimomide. Based on the above results, fluopimomide could be recommended as an efficient fungicide for the tomato field.

​Management of White Grub, H. consanguinea in Groundnut using Entomopathogens

The white grubs infests diverse crops of food and horticultural importance such as groundnut, sugarcane, kharif pulses, vegetables areca nut, ginger, potato, etc. and it inflict losses as high as 100 per cent, depending upon the severity of infestation have been uncommon. In present study, attemts have been made to explore the potentiality of entomopathogens for the management of the white grub Holotrichia consanguinea a serious pest in groundnut crop in Rajasthan during kharif seasons, 2018 and 2019. Results revealed that furrow application of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae powder formulation @ 5 kg (1×1012 CFU/gm) and H. indica galleria @ 5000 galleria per hectare at the time of sowing were significantly superior in reducing the per cent plant mortality (28.00%, 29.33%, 31.77%, respectively) and increase yield over untreated control (12.82, 11.53, 10.78 q/ ha respectively).

Determine the Effect of Lime and Boron Interaction on Nutrient Availability and Acidity Parameters in Soil

Field experiment was conducted to examine the determine the effect of lime and boron interaction on nutrient availability and acidity parameters in soil. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) in field with four levels of lime (L0 – No lime, L0.3 – Furrow application @ 300 kg ha-1, L2.0 – Broadcasting @ 2 t ha-1, L5.0 – Broadcasting @ 5 t ha-1) and four levels of boron (B0 – No Boron, B0.5 – Broadcasting @ 0.5 kg ha-1, B1.0– Broadcasting @ 1 kg ha-1, B1.5 – Broadcasting @ 1.5 kg ha-1), respectively. B fertilization is therefore important to improve soil B availability and crop growth in the region. Availability of applied B in soil may be affected due to its possible interaction with lime which is usually recommended as an ameliorative measure in acidic soils. In this view, a field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of lime and B application on growth, yield and quality of soybean, as well as their effect on nutrient availability and acidity parameters in soil. The crop was grown with four doses of lime (0, 0.3, 2.0 and 5.0 t ha-1) and as many doses of B application (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg ha-1). The experiment was taken in RBD design with factorial arrangements of the treatments. Seed yield of soybean increased with increasing doses of lime and Boron application with the highest yield being observed at 5tha-1 lime and 1 kg ha-1 B application; lime and B interaction was not significant Application of B @ 1 kg ha-1 increased seed yield by 18.6%, while lime application @ 5 t ha-1. Increased yield by 36%.The positive effect of lime and B application on soybean yield was mediated through improved growth and pod formation in the crop.

Response of Leaf Senescence, Photosynthetic Characteristics, and Yield of Summer Maize to Controlled-Release Urea-Based Application Depth

To explore the response of summer maize leaf senescence, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield to the depth of one-time base application of controlled-release urea, which provides a theoretical basis for the light and simplified production of summer maize. Seven treatments were set up with Zhengdan 958 as the material under field conditions, including no nitrogen fertilizer (CK), surface spreading (DP0), furrow application depth of 5 cm (DP5), 10 cm (DP10), 15 cm (DP15), 20 cm (DP20), 25 cm (DP25). The results showed that under the same nitrogen application rate, there are significant differences in the effects of summer maize leaf senescence and photosynthetic characteristics with the increase of fertilization depth, and DP10 and DP15 have the best effects. The LAI of DP10 and DP15 increased by 5.1% and 5.5% compared to DP0 at tasseling stage, and chlorophyll content increased by 6.8% and 7.3% in 10 days after tasseling. Compared with DP0, superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased by 13.1% and 10.5%, the content of soluble protein increased significantly, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased by 9.8% and 10.8%, respectively. In addition, Pn and Gs of the ear-leaf significantly increased by 13.9%, 16.5%, and 26.1% and 31.9% at tasseling stage, respectively, over DP0, while Ci decreased by 22.3% and 26.4%, respectively; meanwhile, the photochemical quenching (qP) and quantum yield (ΦPSII) of the reaction center of photosystem II (PSII) of the ear-leaf were significantly improved, the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was significantly reduced. The yield of DP10 and DP15 heightened significantly; two-year average value increased by 5.7% and 6.0% compared with DP0; the kernels per spike and 1000-kernels weight increased by 4.8%, 5.2%, and 4.1%, 5.2%, respectively. Comprehensive analysis of LAI, chlorophyll content, various protective enzyme activities and MDA, soluble protein content showed that 10–15 cm is the appropriate fertilization depth when the nitrogen application rate of controlled-release urea is 225 kg N per hectare. In consequence, optimizing fertilization depth of controlled-release urea as a simplified fertilization mode could improve the nitrogen utilization efficiency and obtain higher yield in summer maize, which provides technical support for large-scale application of controlled-release urea.

Design and testing of an intermittent fertilisation method for seeding of maize (

The fertiliser that is applied between maize (Zea mays L.) plants via furrow application cannot be completely absorbed and used because of the wide planting space, resulting in fertiliser wastage and soil pollution. To address this issue, we proposed an intermittent fertilisation method for single maize plant seeding, and designed a fertilisation device that can control the intermittent timing and duration of fertiliser application. A simple indoor bench test was done to verify the feasibility of the device. A synchronised control model of the seed and fertiliser was also established. Thus, a quantitative precision intermittent fertilisation system for a single maize plant was developed. The technique was integrated and applied in a current mainstream quantitative precision seeder and fertiliser feeder for maize in field trials. The trial results showed that the average centre distance between the seed and the fertiliser was 5–8 cm and the qualification rate was &gt;90%. The effective length of fertilisation was about one-third of plant spacing, and the largest coefficient of variation was 12.37%. In conclusion, the present quantitative precision interval fertilisation system can feed and apply fertiliser to the predetermined fertiliser site of maize plants, realising the ‘one seed and one fertiliser’ seeding and fertilisation mode, which reduced the fertiliser application amount and increased the fertiliser utilisation rate.

Partial Wetting of Root Zone to Enhance Furrow Irrigation Indices, Yield Responses and Economic Return Of Soybean الترطيب الجزئى لمنطقة الجذور لتحسين مؤشرات الرى بالخطوط واستجابة المحصول والعائد الاقتصادي لفول الصويا

This study was carried out in a private farm located in Gharbiya Governorate, the Nile Delta, Egypt. The study aimed to assess how far the alternative furrow application and deficit irrigation may improve irrigation indices and water productivity of Soybean. Two techniques of alternation were applied. The first is Standing Alternate furrow Irrigation (SAI), the second is Reciprocal Alternate furrow Irrigation (RAI). The two techniques were compared with Conventional furrow Irrigation (CI), at which, all furrows are conventionally irrigated per each irrigation (Control). Results revealed that irrigation requirements under both of (SAI) and (RAI) techniques s are significantly less than that with (CI). Surface runoff increased as the level of application increased. The significant difference was found only between (RAI) with the level of 50 % Etc. and the treatment of (CI) with the level of 100% Etc. The highest value of (Ea) was achieved with (RAI) and 75% ETc irrigation level while the lowest value was found with (CI) and 100% ETc irrigation level. The lowest values of actual ET were found (RAI) and 50% ETc irrigation level. Also, results indicated that produced yield of soybean varied significantly (P<0.05) and influenced by both irrigation techniques and application levels. Yield of soybean was depressed by about 12% under (SAI) with 50% ETc, compared with the treatment of (CI) and 100% ETc. It could be concluded that, the (RAI) and 75% ETc irrigation level is efficient management for soybean production without the risk of reduced grain yield under the experiment conditions.

Lime Pelleting to Improve Pulse Production on Acid Soils: Evidence from Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Liming is the key to success of crop production on acid soils. The practice however has not met wider adoption, due largely to the higher doses of lime requirement. To ascertain the effect of lime pelleting (seed pelleting with lime) vis-a-vis higher doses of lime as required for furrow application and broadcasting, we conducted a greenhouse pot experiment wherein common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was grown with five treatments: T1: control (no lime), T2: lime pelleting with gum arabic, T3: lime pelleting with rice starch, T4: lime application @ 300 kg ha-1 equivalent dose, and T5: lime application @ 3000 kg ha-1 equivalent dose. Lime pelleting caused 12-14% improvement in crop yield compared to 31 and 38% increments at higher doses of lime application i.e., T4 and T5, respectively, with a commensurate increase in associated yield parameters. Higher leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD index) caused by liming and lime pelleting suggested improved plant nutrition. Rhizosphere pH increased with liming (p≤0.05), with corresponding reductions in exchangeable Al and acidity, but the effects of lime pelleting were discernible only at lower levels of statistical significance (p≤0.2). Contrary to the popular belief, liming reduced soil P availability, implying that the growth stimulation by liming was not caused by increased P availability, but by reduced Al toxicity and ensuing improvement in plant’s nutrient acquisition efficiency. To conclude, lime pelleting is proposed as an alternative low-cost, easily-adoptable technology for reducing lime requirement and for improving pulse productivity on acidic soils.

Sugarcane bagasse biochar increases soil carbon sequestration and yields of maize and groundnut in charland ecosystem

ABSTRACT Charland is newly developed land in river beds which is poor in fertility. Sugarcane bagasse (SB) biochar was produced and characterized, and its performances were evaluated on carbon sequestration and yields of maize and groundnut in charland. The bagasse after pyrolysis ≈ at 600°C temperature produced 55% biochar. The pH value increased from 6.5 (SB) to 8.8 (biochar), C from 42% to 58%, P from 0.11% to 0.23%, K from 0.83% to 1.32% and the S content from 0.12% to 0.61%; whereas the N content decreased from 2.03% to 1.17%. Seven treatments were implemented in field trials of 2016–17 and 2017–18 in Brahmaputra charland consisting of control, 100% chemical fertilizers (CF), CF+ Cowdung (10 t ha−1), CF+ biochar (5 t ha−1 broadcast), CF + biochar (10 t ha−1 broadcast), CF+ biochar (5 t ha−1 furrow application) and CF+ biochar (10 t ha−1 furrow application). Amendment was done in the year one. Results reveal that the same dose of cowdung or biochar with CF produced higher grain yields of maize and groundnut with 40–60% increase over sole CF treatment. Integrated use of 10 t ha−1 biochar with CF can ensure higher crop yield and sustained soil fertility in charland ecosystem.

Effects of vermicompost fertilization on soil, tomato yield and quality in greenhouse.

The excessive use of chemical fertilizer on vegetables in protected facilities resulted in soil degradation, serious soil-borne diseases, and lower vegetable yield and quality. We examined the effects of vermicompost on soil nutrient, enzyme activities, microbial quantity, tomato growth, yield and quality in greenhouse. The results showed that both broadcast and furrow application of vermicompost improved soil environment, and significantly increased contents of soil organic matter and soil nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Vermicompost application significantly increased sucrase and catalase activities, abundance of bacteria and actinomycetes, and decreased the abundance of fungi in the soil. Furrow application but not the broadcast application promoted the growth of tomato plants. The vermicompost promoted root activities and leaf photosynthesis, increased chlorophyll, nitrogen and potassium contents in leaves. Broadcast and furrow application of vermicompost significantly increased tomato yield by 22.7% and 32.6%, respectively. Furrow application increased the contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C and titratable acid by 66.1%, 11.0%, 122.6% and 29.9%, respectively, and decreased nitrate content in tomato fruits by 65.7%. However, broadcast application did not affect fruit quality.

Filter Cake as a Long-Standing Source of Micronutrients for Sugarcane

The aim of this study was to evaluate the residual effects of micronutrient application with or without filter cake on the supply of micronutrients, i.e., zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo), and sugarcane ratoon performance based on stalk and sugar yield. Two experiments were established in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, in a Rhodic Hapludox and a Typic Quartzipsamment in a randomized block design with an 8 × 2 factorial scheme. Seven micronutrient treatments (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, B, Mo, and all micronutrients) plus one control treatment combined with two filter cake rates (0 and 30 t ha−1) were applied in the planting furrow. Leaf micronutrient concentrations and stalk and sugar yields in the first, second, and third sugarcane ratoons were evaluated. The leaf concentrations of micronutrients were not affected by their application in the planting furrows but were affected by filter cake application. In addition, filter cake application increased stalk and sugar yields in both soil types and all ratoons. The micronutrients and filter cake applied in the planting furrow were able to supply micronutrients to sugarcane ratoons. The best plant response was attributed to B and Zn application, and a residual effect of filter cake application was observed in successive ratoons, with increased stalk and sugar yields.

Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Furrow Application Methods on Yield and Yield Components of Artemisia annua L. at Koka, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Wondo genet Agricultural Research Center Koka Research Station, Ethiopia, 8°26’ N latitude, 39°02’ E longitude and 1602 m.a.s.l. for three consecutive years with the objectives to determine deficit irrigation levels and furrow irrigation water application techniques on yield and water productivity of Artemisia annua L. The experiment consists of three-level of deficit irrigation (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc), and three furrow irrigation water application techniques (alternate, fixed, and conventional furrow) were used in combination. The study revealed that the deficit levels and the furrow application techniques were statistically affected artemisia plant height, fresh leaf weight, fresh and dry biomass, essential yield, and water use efficiency during the whole years. The pooled mean result indicated that the maximum economic yields which are fresh leaf weight (7.11 t ha-1) and essential oil yield (16.06 kg ha-1) were obtained from the combined treatment of 100% ETc and conventional furrow application technique. However, the maximum water use efficiency (5.83 kg m-3) was recorded from a combined treatment of 50 % ETc and alternate furrow application technique. Based on the study for the maximum yield achievement in an area of no limited water resource 100 % ETc and conventional furrow application technique can be used. Whereas in an area where limited water resource is available the maximized water use efficiency can be obtained from 50% ETc and alternate furrow application technique at Koka and similar agro ecology.

Optimizing Essential Oil Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) Under Different Furrow Application Method and Deficit of Irrigation Water Levels in Lemongrass Production

Appropriate agricultural water management and implementation of deficit irrigation methods can reduce water usage in addition to minimizing the adverse effects of irrigation agriculture. The experiment was conducted Wondo Genet, Ethiopia for three consecutive years to optimize the essential oil yield and water use efficiency of Lemongrass. Three levels of deficit irrigation and furrow application method were used. The study revealed that the maximum Lemongrass essential oil yield of 55.12 kg ha-1 was obtained from no deficit irrigation with conventional furrow application method while the minimum oil yield 36.03 kg ha-1 obtained from 50% ETc (Evapotranspiration of crop) under fixed furrow application method. The optimum lemongrass essential oil yield 100% ETc under alternate furrow application method which is statistically similar to the maximum oil yield. Statistically, the highest water use efficiency was obtained from 50% ETc under alternate furrow application method. Therefore, the optimum Lemongrass essential yield can be produced under alternate furrow application method with 1005 ETc which provides the water use efficiency of 0.041 kg m-3.

Different methods of inoculation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azospirillum) specific of grasses in sorghum

Sorghum is one of the crops of great relevance in the production of grains in the cerrado region. Its main use for animal feeding and is considered a great alternative for human food in the form of grains. A promising alternative is the use of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (N) in the sorghum crop. Inoculation with N-fixing bacteria, such as Azospirillum, is an alternative to reduce costs by replacing the high cost of production due to nitrogen fertilization. The objective of this work was to evaluate different methods of inoculating nitrogen - fixing bacteria (Azospirilum) in sorghum culture. The experiment was carried out in the city of Goianésia, Goiás, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments, using 4 replicates per treatment, arranged in different methods of inoculation of Azospirillun brasilense in sorghum: control inoculation, seed treatment, application in furrow, application in cover after sowing and application 10 days after emergence. To determine growth and development, the following evaluations were made: stem thickness, root length, root volume, number of nodes, fresh shoot mass and shoot dry mass. Seed inoculation presented superiority in relation to other treatments regarding root length, number of nodes, green mass and dry mass. The inoculation with Azospirillum promoted positive effects on shoot thickness and root length, obtaining significant amounts and seed inoculation with the best results.

Crescimento e rendimento da cultura do trigo com aplicações de boro

A deficiência do micronutriente boro (B) se destaca pelos prejuízos relativos à formação e qualidade da colheita, sendo importante a compreensão de seu manejo e de sua aplicação no cultivo de grãos. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o crescimento e o rendimento da cultura de trigo em resposta a doses e formas de aplicação de boro. O estudo foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em Cascavel, Paraná, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, e os quatro tratamentos avaliados foram: testemunha sem adição de B; fertilização via sulco (octaborato de sódio 20,5% de B, 1,0 kg.ha-1); fertilização via foliar (octaborato de sódio 2% de B, 150 mL.ha-1) e fertilização via sulco mais foliar (1,0 kg.ha-1 de octaborato de sódio 20,5% de B + foliar 150 mL.ha-1 de octaborato de sódio 2% de B). Foram avaliados o comprimento do sistema radicular e da parte aérea, bem como massa seca da planta e rendimento de grãos. A fertilização com B via sulco e foliar proporcionou incremento de 56,5% no rendimento de grãos em relação às plantas que não receberam esse micronutriente. A aplicação de B favoreceu o crescimento e rendimento do trigo, sendo recomendada sua aplicação via sulco e via foliar na adubação da cultura.

Influence of the sanitary sewage application method to closed-end furrows on the macronutrient extraction capacity and productivity of elephant grass

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the form of raw sanitary sewage (RS) application in closed-end and level-bottom furrows on the dry matter yield and macronutrient extraction capacity (extraction of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) by the aerial part (stem and leaves) of elephant grass. Fertigation of elephant grass with RS were conducted for 3 uninterrupted years, and the RS application dose was established as a function of the amount of sodium fed to the soil (300 kg ha−1 year−1). In the experimental planning four treatments were established, where two experimental plots received RS and the water demand was complemented by treated water from the public supply network (TW), with and without alternation in the position of RS application in the furrows (TFA and TFN, respectively); and as a control there were two experimental plots in which the plants received conventional mineral fertilization, where the grass was irrigated with TW, with and without alternation in the position of water application in the furrows (TWA and TWN, respectively). The greatest mean dry matter yield (29.9 Mg ha−1 year−1) and mean macronutrient extraction values were found for plants submitted to TFA (688, 102, 508 kg ha−1 year−1 of N, P and K, respectively), compared to those obtained in the other treatments.