Disponibilidade de silício e biomassa de milho em solo contaminado por chumbo tratado com silicato Availability of silicon and maize biomass in a lead contaminated soil treated with silicate

A absorção de Si pelas plantas tem resultado em efeitos benéficos e amenizantes da fitotoxicidade de metais pesados, o que pode melhorar a fitoextração de metais do solo em razão do aumento da tolerância das plantas ao metal. Os níveis críticos de Si no solo, em relação a algumas espécies de plantas, ainda estão sendo estabelecidos no Brasil. No entanto, ainda não está definido qual o melhor extrator a ser usado. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência dos métodos de extração de Si (cloreto de cálcio, ácido acético, ácido cítrico e água), além de determinar a produção de matéria seca, teor e conteúdo de silício em plantas de milho em solo contaminado por chumbo. As doses de 0, 100, 250, 350 e 500 mg kg-1 de Si, foram aplicadas em vasos de 5,5 dm-3, cultivados com plantas de milho por 65 dias. Com aplicação de doses de Si maiores que 100 mg kg-1 houve redução da produção de matéria seca de plantas de milho cultivadas no solo contaminado. A adição de doses crescentes de Si ao solo contaminado promoveu aumento dos teores de Si na parte aérea e raiz das plantas. O cloreto de cálcio e o ácido acético foram os extratores que mais se correlacionaram com os teores de Si extraídos pelas plantas.<br>The absorption of silicon by plants can result in the amelioration of heavy metal phytotoxicity, thereby improving phytoextraction due to increased plant tolerance. The critical levels of Si in the soil for plant species in Brazil are still being discussed, however the best extractant for Si has not yet been defined. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of methods for Si extraction from soil (calcium chloride, acetic acid, citric acid, and water). In addition, the biomass yield, concentration and content of Si in maize plants grown in a Pb-contaminated soil were also studied. Si was applied at the rates 0, 100, 250, 350, and 500 mg kg-1 in 5.5 dm-3 pots in which 65 day old plants were cultivated. The Si doses promoted biomass reduction but increased the Si concentration in roots and shoots. The application of Si doses greater than 100 mg kg-1 decreased the biomass yield of corn plants grown in contaminated soil. Calcium chloride and acetic acid were extractants that correlated significantly with the concentration of Si in plants

HEAVY METALS IN VINEYARDS AND ORCHARD SOILS

The application of foliar fungicides in vineyards and orchards can increase soil concentration of heavy metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), up to the toxicity threshold for fruit trees and cover crops. However, some agronomic practices, such as liming, addition of organic fertilizers, cultivation of soil cover crops and inoculation of young plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can decrease the availability and the potential of heavy metal toxicity to fruit trees. This review aims to compile and present information about the effects of increasing concentrations of heavy metals, especially Cu and Zn, on soils cultivated with fruit trees and provides some agronomic practices of remediation. Information about the sources of heavy metals found in soils cultivated with fruit trees are presented; mechanisms of absorption, transport, accumulation and potential toxicity to plants are described