Agronomic characterization of forage grain crops

The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents.The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents

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

Plant growth and symptomatology of macronutrient deficiencies in cowpea plants

Cowpea is a widely grown annual legume in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. It is one of the main sources of protein and income for the populations of these regions. However, few studies have shown the nutritional requirements, and symptomatology of nutritional deficiencies of cowpea cultivars. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the initial growth and symptomatology of macronutrient deficiencies in cowpea plants of the BR17-Gurguéia cultivar. A randomized complete experimental design with three replications was used, with seven treatments consisted of nutrient solutions containing no N, P, K, Ca, Mg, or S, and a nutrient solution containing all macro and micronutrients as control, using one plant per plot. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, root volume, and shoot and root dry weights were evaluated, and visual symptoms of nutritional deficiencies were described at 30 days after planting. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were the most limiting nutrients for the vegetative growth and biomass production of cowpea up to 30 days of cultivation. The absence of these elements in the nutrient solution caused morphological changes and visual symptoms that are characteristic of the nutritional deficiency of these nutrients

Calagem e fosfatagem associadas a estimulante de micorrização no crescimento e produção do capim-Marandu

Pastures are important food sources for Brazilian cattle herds. However, inadequate management of soil fertility has emerged as a major cause of low yield rates and of progressive degradation of these areas. The objective of the present study was to evaluate growth, by means of morphogenetic and structural characteristics, and yield of Brachiaria brizantha Stapf. cv. Marandu as functions of the application of the mycorrhizae stimulant formononetin, associated with lime and phosphate application. The experimental design was completely randomised with four replications, and the treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of two liming treatments (with and without limestone), two formononetin treatments (with and without application) and five P2O5 doses (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg dm-3). Three shoot cuttings were carried out after a first standardisation cutting to evaluate the morphogenetic and structural characteristics as well as the dry matter yield of different morphological fractions. Liming and phosphate application at the dose of 141 mg dm-3 P2O5 increased growth and yield of Marandu grass, and these practices are essential for the cultivation of this pasture grass in Yellow Latosol of the Cerrado region of Piauí, Brazil. The application of formononetin increased stem elongation rate, total number of tillers and green stem dry matter, and decreased dead dry matter of Marandu grass, which are effects that contribute to the improvement of pasture quality.As pastagens constituem importante fonte alimentar para os rebanhos brasileiros, entretanto, o manejo inadequado da fertilidade dos solos têm-se destacado como uma das principais causas dos baixos índices produtivos e da progressiva degradação destas áreas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o crescimento, através das características morfogênicas e estruturais, e a produção da Brachiaria brizantha Stapf. cv. Marandu em função da aplicação do estimulante de micorrização formononetina associado a calagem e a fosfatagem. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos dispostos num esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 5, constituídos por dois tratamentos de calagem (com e sem calcário), dois de formononetina (com e sem aplicação) e cinco doses de P2O5 (0, 25, 50, 100 e 200 mg dm-3). Foram realizados três cortes da parte aérea, após um primeiro corte de uniformização, para realização das avaliações das características morfogênicas e estruturais, bem como a produção de massa seca das diferentes frações morfológicas. A calagem e a fosfatagem na dose de 141 mg dm-3 de P2O5 incrementaram o crescimento e a produção do capim-Marandu, devendo ser práticas indispensáveis ao cultivo desta forrageira em Latossolo Amarelo do Cerrado piauiense, Brasil. A aplicação de formononetina promoveu aumento da taxa de alongamento do colmo, número total de perfilho, massa seca de colmo verde e diminuiu a fração da massa seca morta do capim-Marandu, efeitos que contribuem para a melhoria da qualidade das pastagens

Agronomic characterization of forage grain crops

The aim of this research was to accomplish agronomic and chemical composition of four forage species under the Brazilian semiarid conditions . The experimental design was a randomized block, in which the treatments consisted of forage crops: corn cv. BRS 205, millet cv. BRS 1501, sorghum cv. IPA 467-4-2 and sunflower cv. Catissol 01, with four repetitions. It was measured plant height (m2), number of plants, leaf/stem ratio, dry matter percentage, total dry matter and the chemical composition of different forage species. The sorghum showed a greater growth, reaching a height of 270.90 cm. For the leaf/stem ratio, the best results were observed by corn, followed by sunflower. In the chemical composition, the sunflower stood out compared to the other materials for crude protein, lipids and mineral contents. Sorghum present greater growth and mass production of straw for the Brazilian semi-arid conditions. The studied species have appropriate chemical composition characteristics, except for sunflower that has high ether extract contents.Objetivou-se neste trabalho realizar comparações agronômicas e químico-bromatológica nas condições do Semiárido brasileiro, entre quatro espécies forrageiras. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, no qual os tratamentos constaram das espécies forrageiras: milho cv. BRS 205, milheto cv. BRS 1501, sorgo cv. IPA 467-4-2 e girassol cv. CATISSOL 01, com quatro repetições. Foi mensurada a altura da planta, número de plantas (m2), relação folha/colmo, porcentagem de matéria seca, massa seca de forragem total e a composição químico-bromatológica das diferentes espécies forrageiras. A cultura do sorgo demonstrou maior crescimento, atingindo uma altura de 270,90 cm. Na razão folha/colmo, o milho apresentou maior relação, seguido pelo girassol. Na composição química-bromatológica a cultura do girassol se destacou em relação aos demais materiais quanto ao teor de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e materiais minerais. O sorgo apresenta maior crescimento e produção de massa de forragem nas condições do semiárido brasileiro. As espécies estudadas apresentam características de composição químico-bromatológica adequadas, exceto o girassol que possui altos teores de extrato etéreo