Matéria orgânica e agregação do solo após conversão de “campos de murundus” em sistema plantio direto

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the conversion of “murundu” (little natural mounds) field areas into no-tillage agricultural systems on the stocks of soil organic C and total N, on their fractions in soil organic matter, and on aggregate stability. The study was carried out in a chronosequence of 7, 11, and 16 years of conversion into a no-tillage system, and in two reference areas characterized as top mounds (TM) and between mounds (BM). Soil C content varied according to the time of conversion into agricultural areas at all soil depths, except in the BM area. Organic C stocks showed negative effects of the conversion of native area into an agricultural system, and the largest stocks were observed in the BM and TM areas. Thecarbon management index increased over time after no-tillage adoption, in relation to TM, and soil properties improved with the increase in PD adoption time from 7 to 16 years, but organic C stocks in the converted areas did not return to the levels observed in the reference areas.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da conversão de áreas de campos de murundus para sistemas agrícolas de plantio direto (PD) nos estoques de C orgânico e de N total do solo, em suas frações na matéria orgânica do solo e na estabilidade de agregados. O estudo foi realizado em uma cronossequência com7, 11 e 16 anos de conversão para o PD, e em duas áreas de referência caracterizadas como topo dos murundus (TM) e entre os murundus (EM). O teor de C nos solos variou de acordo com o tempo de conversão para areas agrícolas, em todas as profundidades, com exceção da área EM. Os estoques de C sofreram efeitos negativos da conversão da área nativa em agrícola, e os maiores estoques foram observados nas áreas EM e TM. O índice de manejo de C aumentou com o tempo de adoção do PD, em relação ao TM, e os atributos do solo melhoraram com o aumento no tempo de adoção de 7 para 16 anos de PD, mas os estoques de C orgânico nas áreas convertidas não retornam aos níveis observados nas áreas referências

Reconnecting nature and agricultural production : mixed cropping systems as a way forward sustainable intensification

In the last decades, population growth worldwide boosts agricultural demand for food production. This huge driver rendered global food production more and more specialized, so agricultural landscapes became uniform and monotonic. The loss of diversity is a strong evidence of how modern agricultural landscapes have been disconnecting from nature. Evidence of environmental side- effects from this pathway are abundant in literature. Now, society is pressing towards changing practices aiming for healthy diets and sustainable food production systems. This raises the question: how to reconnect nature and agriculture in the context of future food production? In this review we propose a reconnection process based on the principles of ecological intensification or sustainable intensification. The integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are the most consolidated technological pathway to reconcile crop production with natural processes. These systems are diverse and can partially mimic natural ecosystems exploring the synergies of natural biological processes, while achieving high levels of food production. ICLS promote soil improvements and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing the agricultural share of global warming and climate change. Besides, these systems are more efficient in the use of nutrients and can optimize the use of other inputs such as pesticides. We present evidence of soil health and biogeochemical cycle restoration in addition to system stability improvement, and assume those symptoms as evidence of mixing crops and livestock fostering reconnection with natural processes

Influence of soil bulk density on shoot and root traits of crotalaria

The selection of cover crop species with high potential for root growth in dense layers of soil can help in the management of agricultural systems through biological soil unpacking. This study aimed at evaluating the performance of crotalaria species (Crotalaria juncea, C. spectabilis and C. ochroleuca) as unpacking agents, in a dystrophic Oxisol under different bulk densities (1.0 Mg m-3, 1.2 Mg m-3, 1.4 Mg m-3, 1.6 Mg m-3 and 1.8 Mg m-3). All species showed reduction in the growth of shoots and roots, when cultivated in soil with bulk density higher than 1.4 Mg m-3. Crotalaria juncea showed the best results for shoot and root biomass production with bulk density up to 1.4 Mg m-3. The root growth of plants is higher in layers above and below the compacted layer

Biochemical and biological properties of soil from murundus wetlands converted into agricultural systems

The implementation of conservationist systems that improve soil properties and reduce the impacts of the conversion of native areas is fundamental for feasible agricultural exploitation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact on soil biological properties caused by the conversion of murundus fields into agricultural systems and verify the ability of the no-tillage conservation system to recover these properties over the years. Treatments consisted of three agricultural areas subjected to the same management (no-tillage), in a chronosequence (7, 11, and 14 years of conversion) and a reference area (murundus field). To evaluate soil quality, we analyzed total soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, metabolic and microbial quotients, and acid phosphatase activities, as well as the potential functionality of soil bacterial communities and the modifications in their genetic structure. The conversion of murundus field into agricultural systems negatively impacted soil biological properties, with expressive reduction in soil organic carbon content and microbial biomass carbon. The periods of adoption of the conservationist system (no-tillage) were not enough to recover the biological properties and/or to reverse the changes observed in the genetic structure of the soil bacterial communities of the managed areas, although stabilization trends were observed in the agricultural systems over the years.Fil: Martins, Luciene Nunes Barcelos. Universidade Federal de Goiás; BrasilFil: Santiago, Flávia Louzeiro de Aguiar. Universidad Federal de Lavras; BrasilFil: Montecchia, Marcela Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Olga Susana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Junior, Orivaldo José Saggin. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; BrasilFil: de Souza, Edicarlos Damacena. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Paulino, Helder Barbosa. Universidade Federal Do Triangulo Mineiro; BrasilFil: Carneiro, Marco Aurelio Carbone. Universidad Federal de Lavras; Brasi

Produção de fitomassa em sistemas de produção de soja em sucessão a culturas e plantas de cobertura

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biomass (leaves and stems) production of annual and cover crops sown as second crop, and its effects on soybean yield in succession. The experiment was carried out in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 crop seasons. Soybean was sown in the crop season and in the second crop, in a randomized complete block design, in nine production systems (treatments) consisting of annual crops (corn, sunflower, and cowpea) and cover crops (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria breviflora, C. spectabilis, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes sp., and U. brizantha), which were grown in monocropping or intercropping systems, besides fallow as a control. Monocropped P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis showed a faster establishment and growth of plants, higher-total biomass and soil cover rate in the 2014 crop season. In 2015, corn intercropped with U. ruziziensis and C. spectabilis, and sunflower with U. ruziziensis stood out for total biomass production during flowering and after harvesting of corn and sunflower grains. Biomass composition in the systems showed greater proportions of stems than of leaves, and C. spectabilis stood out after senescence. Sown as a second crop, C. spectabilis promotes yield increase of soybean grown in succession in the no-tillage system.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de fitomassa (folhas e caules) de culturas anuais e plantas de cobertura semeadas em safrinha e seus efeitos na produtividade da soja em sucessão. O experimento foi conduzido nas safras de 2014/2015 e 2015/2016. A soja foi semeada nas safras e nas safrinhas, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em nove sistemas de produção (tratamentos) constituídos de culturas anuais (milho, girassol e feijão-caupi) e plantas de cobertura (Pennisetum glaucum, Crotalaria breviflora, C. spectabilis, Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes sp. e U. brizantha), em cultivos solteiros ou consorciados, além de pousio como controle. Os cultivos solteiros de P. glaucum e U. ruziziensis apresentaram estabelecimento e crescimento mais rápido, maior fitomassa total e taxa de cobertura do solo na safra de 2014. Em 2015, o milho consorciado com U. ruziziensis e C. spectabilis, e o girassol com U. ruziziensis se destacaram na produção de fitomassa total, durante o florescimento e após a colheita dos grãos do milho e do girassol. A composição das fitomassas nos sistemas apresentou maiores proporções de caules do que de folhas, com destaque para C. spectabilis após a senescência. Semeada em safrinha, C. spectabilis promove aumento de produtividade de soja em sucessão, no sistema plantio direto

Acúmulo e eficiência no uso de nutrientes em sistemas de produção de safrinha em plantio direto

The objective of this work was to evaluate phytomass production, nutrient cycling, and efficiency of nutrient use by single and intercropped crop systems, in the second crop, under no-tillage. The experiment was carried out during the second crop of 2014 and 2015 in the Cerrado biome of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in a randomized complete block design, with nine treatments and four replicates. In 2014, the systems were evaluated at 63, 93, 124, and 157 days after sowing; and, in 2015, they were evaluated at flowering and senescence. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were determined. In 2014, the single crop systems Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan, and Pennisetum glaucum showed the largest accumulations of phytomass and nutrients. In 2015, the intercropped systems showed the largest accumulations of phytomass, the largest nutrient cycling, and the highest nutrient use efficiency. In the no-tillage crop systems, U. ruziziensis, either in single cultivation or intercropped with corn and sunflower, increased phytomass. The most efficient systems for the use of all nutrients, in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso, are the intercropping of sunflower with U. ruziziensis, corn with U. ruziziensis, and corn with Crotalaria spectabilis.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de fitomassa, a ciclagem de nutrientes e a eficiência no uso de nutrientes em sistemas de cultivo solteiros e consorciados, na safrinha, em plantio direto. O experimento foi realizado durante a segunda safra de 2014 e 2015, no bioma Cerrado do  estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições. Em 2014, os sistemas foram avaliados aos 63, 93, 124 e 157 dias após a semeadura; e, em 2015, foram avaliados ao florescimento e à senescência. Determinaram-se as concentrações de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio e magnésio. Em 2014, os sistemas solteiros Urochloa ruziziensis, Cajanus cajan e Pennisetum glaucum apresentaram os maiores acúmulos de fitomassa e nutrientes. Em 2015, os consórcios apresentaram os maiores acúmulos de fitomassa, a maior ciclagem de nutrientes e a maior eficiência no uso dos nutrientes. No sistema plantio direto, U. ruziziensis, solteiro ou consorciado com milho e girassol, aumentou a fitomassa. Os consórcios mais eficientes quanto ao aproveitamento de todos os nutrientes, no Cerrado de Mato Grosso, são os de girassol com U. ruziziensis, milho com U. ruziziensis e milho com Crotalaria spectabilis

Properties of soil under rotational grazing system submitted to turkey litter application

Poultry litter applications can improve biological, physical, and chemical soil attributes. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of sequential turkey litter doses on properties of soil under a rotational grazing system with Brachiaria decumbens L., in Portelândia, Goiás State, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot randomized blocks design, with four replications. Treatments consisted of turkey litter doses [no litter, 8.7 Mg ha-1 (2008), 16.5 Mg ha-1 (2008 + 2009), and 30.9 Mg ha-1 (2008 + 2009 + 2010)], for plots, with the two highest doses resulting from the accumulation of litter applications, and three sampled soil depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-20 cm), for split-plots. Sequential applications of turkey litter doses improved soil fertility, increasing the pH, P, K, and base saturation rates, as well as organic carbon, total and particulate nitrogen contents, and decreasing aluminum saturation. Lower doses of turkey litter stimulated the soil microbial activity, promoting the mineralization of the organic matter particulate fraction, however, there was no effect on soil aggregation

Soil quality indicators after conversion of “murundu” fields into no-tillage cropping in the Brazilian Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações na qualidade do solo devido a diferentes tempos de adoção do sistema plantio direto em campos de murundus convertidos para agricultura, bem como identificar quais seriam os melhores indicadores para explicar essas alterações. O estudo foi realizado em Plintossolo Háplico, no Município de Portelândia, no Estado de Goiás. Os tratamentos consistiram de diferentes épocas de conversão e adoção do sistema plantio direto – 8, 12 e 17 anos – e de área nativa entre murundus e no topo dos murundus (área de referência). Após 17 anos da adoção de plantio direto, houve incremento de carbono e nitrogênio orgânicos, assim como das suas frações particuladas em relação à área de referência. Os atributos microbiológicos alcançaram valores superiores no plantio direto de 17 anos, em comparação à área nativa. Para a agregação do solo, 12 anos de adoção do plantio direto foram suficientes para mostrar incremento nessa variável. Os principais atributos para uso como indicadores da qualidade do solo são o carbono da biomassa microbiana, o índice de manejo de carbono e o quociente microbiano.The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in soil quality due to different times of adoption of the no-tillage system in “murundu” (mound) fields converted to agriculture, as well as to identify the best indicators to explain these changes. The study was carried out on a Plinthic Altisol, in the municipality of Portelândia, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The treatments consisted of different times of conversion and of adoption of the no-tillage system – 8, 12, and 17 years – and of native area between the mounds and on top of the mounds (reference area). After 17 years of the adoption of no-tillage, there was an increase in organic carbon and nitrogen, as well as in their particulate fractions in relation to the reference area. The microbiological attributes showed greater values in the 17-year no-tillage period compared with the native area. For soil aggregation, 12 years of adoption of the no-tillage system were enough to show an increase in this variable. The main attributes to be used as soil quality indicators are microbial biomass carbon, the carbon management index, and the microbial quotient

Qualidade do solo e produtividade de soja em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em plantio direto

The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of the soil and its relation with soybean (Glycine max) yield in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), with intercropping between grasses and legumes in the pasture phase. The experiment was carried out in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, on a dystrophic Oxisol, in which grasses (Megathyrsus maximus 'BRS Tamani' and Urochloa brizantha 'BRS Piatã'), intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata 'BRS Tumucumaque') and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan 'BRS Mandarim'), were cultivated after soybean harvest. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replicates, in a split-plot arrangement, in which grasses were considered as plots, and legumes as subplots. Legume intercrops provided increases of C and total N stocks. The intercrops caused the increase of C and N of the microbial biomass, whereas the single cultures contributed to stress in the soil microbiota. The activity of the urease enzyme was sensitive to management changes in the short term, but acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase were poorly sensitive indicators. Soil quality is high with intercropping between grasses and legumes, with positive effects on soybean grain yield.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do solo e sua relação com a produtividade de soja (Glycine max) em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), com consórcio entre gramíneas e leguminosas na fase pastagem. O experimento foi realizado no Estado de Mato Grosso, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em que gramíneas (Megathyrsus maximus 'BRS Tamani' e Urochloa brizantha 'BRS Piatã'), consorciadas com feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata 'BRS Tumucumaque') e feijão-guandu (Cajanus cajan 'BRS Mandarim'), foram cultivadas após a colheita da soja. Um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso foi utilizado com três repetições, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas, em que as gramíneas foram consideradas como parcelas, e as leguminosas, como subparcelas. Os consórcios com leguminosas proporcionaram incrementos dos estoques de C e N total. Os consórcios causaram o aumento de C e N da biomassa microbiana, enquanto os cultivos solteiros contribuíram para o estresse da microbiota do solo. A atividade da enzima urease foi sensível às alterações de manejo em curto prazo, porém a fosfatase ácida e a β-glucosidase foram indicadores pouco sensíveis. A qualidade do solo é elevada com os consórcios entre gramíneas e leguminosas, com efeitos positivos sobre a produtividade de grãos de soja