Water-retaining polymers on the early growth and quality of bushy cashew (Anacardium humile A. St. Hill) seedlings

Bushy cashew (Anacardium humile A. St. Hill) is an endemic plant species to the Brazilian Cerrado, a region characterized by scarce and poorly distributed rainfall. The use of hydrogel, a water-retaining polymer that features massive water storage and promotes its release into the environment throughout time may be an alternative to reduce the frequency irrigation in the production of bushy cashew seedlings. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and early growth of bushy cashew seedlings as a function of hydrogel doses. The experimental design adopted was in five randomized blocks, with five hydrogel doses (0; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; and 4,0 g L-1 of soil), and each plot consisting of 10 seedlings, totaling 250 plants. A Yellow Latosol with sandy-loam texture was used for seedling production. The growth evaluation was performed through the variables of emergence speed index, germination percentage, height, diameter, root volume, number of leaves, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and the Dickson quality index. The results revealed a positive influence of the hydrogel on the growth and quality of bushy cashew seedlings, notably at the dose of 4 g L-1 of soil.Bushy cashew (Anacardium humile A. St. Hill) is an endemic plant species to the Brazilian Cerrado, a region characterized by scarce and poorly distributed rainfall. The use of hydrogel, a water-retaining polymer that features massive water storage and promotes its release into the environment throughout time may be an alternative to reduce the frequency irrigation in the production of bushy cashew seedlings. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and early growth of bushy cashew seedlings as a function of hydrogel doses. The experimental design adopted was in five randomized blocks, with five hydrogel doses (0; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; and 4,0 g L-1 of soil), and each plot consisting of 10 seedlings, totaling 250 plants. A Yellow Latosol with sandy-loam texture was used for seedling production. The growth evaluation was performed through the variables of emergence speed index, germination percentage, height, diameter, root volume, number of leaves, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and the Dickson quality index. The results revealed a positive influence of the hydrogel on the growth and quality of bushy cashew seedlings, notably at the dose of 4 g L-1 of soil

Nutrient extraction and export by fully irrigated sugarcane varieties

A pesquisa tecnológica para suporte do setor sucroalcooleiro nacional mostra que são esporádicos os trabalhos desenvolvidos com cana-de-açúcar irrigada envolvendo a exigência nutricional. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se quantificar, durante o ciclo de cana-planta de 11 variedades de cana-de-açúcar (SP79-1011, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB943365, RB72454, RB763710, SP78-4764, SP81-3250, RB867515 e RB92579) cultivadas sob irrigação plena, a capacidade de extração e exportação de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, bem como a exigência nutricional para produção de uma tonelada de colmo por hectare (TCH). A pesquisa foi realizada em campo, no município de Carpina, PE, durante a safra agrícola 2006/2007. O delineamento experimental empregado foi de blocos casualizados, com 11 tratamentos e quatro repetições. A extração e exportação de nutrientes, assim como a exigência nutricional, foram avaliadas aos 360 dias após o plantio (DAP) na parte aérea das plantas. A extração de nutrientes na parte aérea da cana-planta apresentou, em média, valores de 179, 25, 325, 226 e 87 kg ha-1 de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, respectivamente, o que proporcionou a seguinte ordem decrescente de extração: K > Ca > N > Mg > P. A exportação média de N, P, K, Ca e Mg pelo colmo das variedades irrigadas foi de 92; 15; 188; 187; e 66 kg ha-1; correspondendo, respectivamente, a 51, 60, 58, 83 e 76 % de todo o nutriente extraído na parte aérea da cana-planta, com destaque para as variedades RB92579 e SP81-3250 para o N, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB763710, RB92579, SP78-4764, SP81-3250 e SP79-1011 para o P, SP79-1011, SP81-3250, RB813804, RB872552 e RB763710 para o K, RB92579 e RB863129 para o Ca e RB92579 para o Mg. Para produção de uma TCH, foram exigidos pelas variedades durante o ciclo de cana-planta valores médios de 0,91; 0,13; 1,71; 1,18; e 0,44 kg de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, respectivamente.A review of technology research supporting the Brazilian sugaralcohol sector shows that only sporadic studies with irrigated sugarcane have been developed to investigate nutritional requirements. In this context, the objective of this study was to quantify the capacity of extraction and export of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg as well as the nutritional requirement for the production of one ton of stalk per hectare (TCH) in the plant cane cycle of 11 sugarcane varieties (SP79-1011, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB943365, RB72454, RB763710, SP78-4764, SP81-3250, RB867515, and RB92579) grown under full irrigation. The research was conducted under field conditions in the municipality of Carpina, PE, in the 2006/2007 growing season. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 11 treatments and four replications. Nutrient extraction and export as well as nutritional requirements of the shoot components of the plants were evaluated 360 days after planting. The mean nutrient accumulation in shoots was 179, 25, 325, 226, and 87 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively.The average export of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg via stalks of the irrigated varieties was 92, 15, 188, 187, and 66 kg ha-1; corresponding, respectively, to 51, 60, 58, 83, and 76 % of the whole nutrient amount taken up by the cane plant. The extracted nutrient amounts were highest by the following varieties: RB92579 and SP81-3250 for N; RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB763710, RB92579 SP78-4764, SP81-3250 and SP79-1011 for P; SP79-1011, SP81-3250, RB813804, RB872552 and RB763710 for K; RB92579 and RB863129 for Ca; and RB92579 for Mg, for which the export values in stalks were highest. For the production of one TCH, the varieties needed 0.91, 0.13, 1.71, 1.18, and 0.44 kg of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively

Desempenho de fontes alternativas de biomassa cultivadas em solos da Chapada do Araripe/PE : nutrição mineral, atributos energéticos e emissão de CO2

O Pólo Gesseiro do Araripe é responsável por cerca de 97% da produção nacional de gesso e tem a lenha oriunda do bioma Caatinga como o principal componente da matriz energética dessa cadeia produtiva, causando um impacto severo na vegetação nativa. Como as áreas de manejo florestal da região são insignificantes em relação à demanda, se faz necessária a introdução de fontes alternativas de biomassa vegetal para geração de energia, como as gramíneas cana-de-açúcar e capim elefante. No entanto, para que essas culturas alcancem elevadas produtividades é necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos sobre solos mais adequados, nutrição, indicadores energéticos e o impacto delas no ambiente semi-árido, predominantemente ocupado pela vegetação nativa da Caatinga. Desta forma, neste trabalho se objetivou avaliar o potencial do gesso mineral do Araripe e como ele pode influenciar mudanças nas características químicas do solo em função de sua aplicação; avaliar o estado nutricional, conteúdo, eficiência do uso de nutrientes e indicadores energéticos de cana-de-açúcar e capim elefante cultivadas na presença e ausência de gesso mineral; e por fim avaliar o efluxo de CO2 do solo e verificar a influência da umidade e temperatura do solo nesse efluxo em áreas de Caatinga preservada, nas áreas de cultivo das gramíneas exóticas na região e de florestas de eucalipto na Chapada do Araripe, em Pernambuco. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA) em Araripina, em um Latossolo Amarelo. Foram utilizadas três variedades de cana-de-açúcar: duas de origem cubana (C90-176 e C90-178), denominadas canas energéticas; uma melhorada pelo Programa de Melhoramento Genético da RIDESA (RB 962962), além de duas variedades de capim elefante (Cameroon e Venezuela) na presença e ausência de gesso mineral. Aos 320 dias após a aplicação de gesso, amostras de solo foram coletadas separadamente nas profundidades 0,0-0,2; 0,2-0,4, e 0,4-0,6 m. Nas amostras procedeu-se a determinação do pH (H2O), Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Al3+, e SO42-. Aos 120 e 180 dias após o plantio (DAP) realizou-se coleta da folha +3 para avaliação do estado nutricional das gramíneas. Aos 320 DAP foi realizado o corte das gramíneas e a parte aérea foi separada nos compartimentos folha e colmo. Nos compartimentos foram avaliados os teores dos nutrientes, quantidade extraída e eficiência de utilização biológica desses nutrientes. Os indicadores energéticos como, teor de fibras, lignina e o poder calorífico superior (PCS) foram avaliados em quatro diferentes períodos: aos três meses, seis meses, nove meses e meio e dez meses e meio de crescimento das plantas. Para avaliar o efluxo de CO2 do solo em áreas de Caatinga preservada, cultivo de gramíneas e florestas de eucalipto foram realizadas cinco avaliações, duas no período de seca e três no período chuvoso. A aplicação de gesso mineral não elevou os teores de Ca2+ do solo em subsuperfície, porém incrementou os teores de sulfato até 0,6 m de profundidade e reduziu a saturação por Al. Os teores de Mg2+ e K+ não alteraram com a aplicação de gesso. Houve diferença nos teores de Ca2+ e Mg2+ no solo cultivado sob os diferentes tipos de gramíneas. O conteúdo de K, Ca e Mg na parte aérea foi influenciado pelo uso do gesso, independente do tipo de gramínea cultivada. Com exceção da variedade de cana-de-açúcar RB962962 as gramíneas extraíram mais S quando o gesso foi aplicado. A eficiência de utilização biológica de N, P, K, Ca e Mg das gramíneas não sofreu influência da aplicação de gesso. As variedades de cana-de-açúcar cubanas C90-176 e C90-178 e a variedade de capim elefante Cameroon apresentaram menor eficiência de utilização biológica de S quando o gesso foi aplicado. Houve pouca variação nos indicadores energéticos no colmo e na folha das diferentes gramíneas nos períodos avaliados. O incremento dos teores de lignina no colmo do capim elefante Cameron sugere que o corte dessa gramínea para uso energético não deve ocorrer antes dos 200 após o plantio. A aplicação de gesso aumentou a produção de matéria seca com incrementos de até 9 Mg ha-1 na variedade de capim elefante Venezuela. A média geral do efluxo de CO2 do solo foi de 2,07; 2,73 e 1,67 μmol m-2 s-1, para as áreas de Caatinga, gramíneas e eucalipto, respectivamente. As áreas tiveram o mesmo comportamento para o efluxo de CO2. Nos períodos de seca houve menores emissões e nos períodos de chuva maiores. Houve correlação entre o efluxo de CO2 do solo com a temperatura e a umidade do solo.The Gypsum Pole of Araripe is responsible for about 97% of the national production of plaster and has the wood coming from the Caatinga as the main component of the energy matrix of this productive chain, causing a severe impact on native vegetation. As the areas of forest management in the region are insignificant in relation to demand, the introduction of alternative sources of biomass for power generation is necessary, as the gramineae sugarcane and elephant grass. However, for these cultures to achieve higher productivity is necessary to develop more studies on suitable soils, nutrition, energy indicators and their impact on the semi-arid environment, predominantly occupied by native vegetation of the Caatinga. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of the mineral plaster Araripe and how it can influence changes in soil chemical properties due to its application; assess nutritional status, content, efficient use of nutrients and indicators of energy sugarcane and elephant grass grown in the presence and absence of mineral plaster; and finally evaluate the soil CO2 efflux and the influence of soil moisture and temperature that efflux in Caatinga areas preserved in the areas of cultivation of exotic grasses in the region and eucalyptus forests in the Araripe in Pernambuco. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco (IPA) in Araripina, in a Oxisol. They used three varieties of sugarcane: : two Cuban origin (C90-176 and C90-178), called energy cane; one improved by the Genetic Improvement Program RIDESA (RB962962), and two varieties of elephant grass (Cameroon and Venezuela) in the presence and absence of mineral plaster. At 320 days after the application of gypsum, soil samples were collected separately in the depths 0.0-0.2; 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-0.6 m. All samples proceeded to determine the pH (H2O) Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Al3+ and SO42-. At 120 and 180 days after planting (DAP) it was collected of +3 leaf to assess the nutritional status of grasses. At 320 DAP was carried out the harvest of the gramineae and the shoots were separated into leaf and stalk.In the compartments evaluated the levels of nutrients, extracted quantity and efficiency of biological utilization of these nutrients. energy indicators as fiber content, lignin and the gross calorific value (PCS) were evaluated in four different periods: at three months, six months, nine months and a half and ten and a half months of plant growth . To evaluate the soil CO2 efflux in Caatinga areas preserved, gramineae cultivation and eucalyptus forests were conducted five evaluations, two in the dry season and three in the rainy season. The application of mineral plaster did not increase the levels of Ca2+ in the soil subsurface, but increased the sulfate content of up to 0.6 m deep and reduced the Al saturation. Mg2+ and K+ levels did not change with the application of plaster. There was a difference in Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in soil under different types of gramineae. The content of K, Ca and Mg in the shoot was influenced by the use of gypsum, regardless of the cultivated grass. Except the variety of sugarcane RB962962 the gramineae extracted more S when the plaster was applied. The efficiency of biological utilization of N, P, K, Ca and Mg of the grass was not influenced by the application of plaster. The varieties of sugarcane Cuban C90-176 and C90-178 and variety of Cameroon elephant grass showed lower efficiency of biological utilization of S when the plaster was applied. There was little variation in energy indicators in the stalk and leaf of different gramineae in evaluation periods. The increase in lignin content in elephant grass stalk Cameron suggests that cutting this grass for energy use must not take place before 200 after planting. The application of plaster increased the dry matter production in increments of up to 9 Mg ha-1 for the variety of elephant grass Venezuela. The overall average CO2 soil efflux was 2.07; 2.73 and 1.67 μmol m-2 s-1 for the areas of Caatinga, grasses and eucalyptus, respectively. Areas had the same CO2 soil efflux behavior. In dry periods the emissions were lower than in the rain periods. There was a correlation among CO2 soil efflux with temperature and soil moisture.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNP

Acúmulo e alocação de nutrientes em cana-de-açúcar Accumulation and allocation of nutrients in sugar cane

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar no ciclo de cana planta a capacidade de onze variedades de cana-de-açúcar (SP79-1011; RB813804; RB863129; RB872552; RB943365; RB72454; RB763710; SP78-4764; SP81-3250; RB867515 e RB92579), cultivadas sob irrigação plena, em acumular os nutrientes N, P, K, Ca e Mg nos componentes da parte aérea (colmo, folha e ponteiro). A pesquisa foi realizada em condições de campo, no município de Carpina/PE, na safra agrícola 2006/2007. O delineamento experimental empregado foi de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. O acúmulo de nutrientes nos componentes da parte aérea foi avaliado aos 120; 180; 240; 300 e 360 dias após o plantio (DAP). Observou-se no ciclo da cana-de-açúcar, remobilização dos nutrientes N, P e K das folhas para os ponteiros e colmos. Aos 360 DAP o acúmulo de N, P e K na parte aérea mostrou-se superior à quantidade adicionada via fertilizantes. As variedades RB92579 e SP81-3250 se destacaram pelo maior acúmulo de nutrientes nos colmos, enquanto a RB867515 e RB943365 foram as variedades que mais alocaram nutrientes na folha, o que as identifica como variedades de maior capacidade de ciclagem de nutrientes.<br>The objective of this study was to evaluate, along the first cycle of sugar cane, the capacity of eleven varieties of sugar cane (SP79-1011; RB813804; RB863129; RB872552; RB943365; RB72454; RB763710; SP78-4764; SP81-3250; RB867515 and RB92579), cultivated under full irrigation,the accumulation of the nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the plants aerial parts (stem, leaf and pointer). The research was carried through under field conditions, during the agricultural season 2006/2007, in the Sugar Cane Agricultural Station of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, in Carpina County, PE/Brazil. The experimental set was a complete randomized block design, with four replications. The accumulation of nutrients in the components of the aerial part was evaluated at 120; 180; 240; 300 and 360 days after plant (DAP). It was observed along the cycle of the sugar cane, mobilization of nutrients N, P and K from the leaves to the points and stems. At 360 DAP the accumulation of N, P and K in the aerial part was higher than the amount added by fertilizers. The varieties RB92579 and SP81-3250 were detached by the highest nutrients accumulation in stems, while RB867515 and RB943365 were the varieties that allocated more nutrients in leaf, which identifies them as the varieties of larger capacity of cycling of those nutrients