Agricultural production is the main source of income and major employer in many countries in Africa, including Senegal. Commercial sweet corn (Zea mays L. ssp. saccharata) production in Senegal is increasing in response to global marketing opportunities and offers producers the ability to increase income and diversify the cropping base. Production of optimum sweet corn yield and quality depends on adequate nutrient supply, particularly, nitrogen (N). Current N recommendations are based on recommendations specific to corn for grain. This study aimed to identify tools to estimate sweet corn N status and determine the most appropriate fertilizer dosage for sweet corn. Non-destructive remote sensing tools and ion exchange resin membranes (IEMs) were used to evaluate the effect of fertilizer dose. No differences in ear yield or yield components, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values, biomass, N uptake or leaf N concentration due to fertilizer dose were detected at Ndiol. However, significant relationships existed between NDVI values and yield, biomass, and N uptake at the V9 growth stage. Only yield was affected by fertilizer dose at Sangalkam, and no consistent relationships were found between chlorophyll meter readings and others measured parameters. Treatment differences due to fertilizer dose for available NH4+ at V9 (Ndiol), and NO3- at V5 (Sangalkam) were found, however further research is needed to fully evaluate the usefulness of IEMs to measure available soil N. Based on these studies, sweet corn fertilizer rates should likely be based on 75% of the dose applied to field corn, however more work is needed to confirm this finding. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.) is the most widely grown staple crop in Senegal. Introduction of drought tolerant millet genotypes has helped mitigate the effect of increased water shortage in the region, but little is known about the nutritional composition of these genotypes. Our objective was to compare millet grain nutritional composition among and between putative drought tolerant and drought sensitive pearl millet lines under drought stress and well-watered conditions. One field experiment was conducted in 2014 at the National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA) of Bambey, Senegal (16°30' and 16° 28' N; 15o44' and 15o42' W). The experiment utilized a split-plot design with four replications. Water regime was the main plot experimental factor while genotype, a total of 20 was the sub-plot. Pearl millet genotypes were divided into three contrasting groups based on drought tolerance for comparisons. Water stress did not affect 100-grain weight, test weight, protein, soluble protein, starch, sugars, amino acids or vitamin B2 content of grains among VPD-groups. Accumulation of these constituents of pearl millet grain appear to be genetically controlled and are probably not affected by late drought stress. However, differences were noted among genotypes as the sensitive VPD-group accumulated greater soluble protein, starch and soluble sugars (except sucrose) than the tolerant and medium VPD-groups. The tolerant VPD-group, however, accumulated greater protein and vitamin B2 content. Arginine, proline and serine content was greater in the sensitive VPD-group, while lysine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid were greater in the tolerant VPD-group. Glycine, histidine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine, valine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine were relatively equal in tolerant and sensitive VPD-groups. Calcium and Na levels were affected by water stress in the sensitive VPD-group, but differently. Calcium content was greatest for the sensitive group under drought stress, while sodium was the lowest. Iron accumulation in sensitive VPD-group increased under water stress. Potassium decreased for all VPD-groups under stress, while across water regime, K levels in the drought-sensitive group were lower. Selection for drought appears to effect many of the nutritional constituents of pearl millet grain, however many of these differences appear to be directly related to parameters known to effect plant water relations. / Master of Science

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:59:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009 - Elio Barbieri Junior.pdf: 7095685 bytes, checksum: 1bcdc77a8d686ebd516a400693c004ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happenedAmong the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened the highest leaf N content and linking directly with final green dry matter accumulation. / Dentre as propriedades bioqu?micas relacionadas ? utiliza??o do nitrog?nio (N) pelas plantas, os teores de clorofila ocupam posi??o de destaque. Por essa raz?o, e dada a import?ncia que a aduba??o nitrogenada tem na express?o da produtividade das pastagens, tem sido desenvolvidas metodologias que permitem a determina??o do teor de clorofila por procedimentos indiretos e n?o destrutivos. No intuito de fornecer subs?dios para a defini??o de estrat?gias de aduba??o nitrogenada em pastagens de Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 foi instalado um experimento com o prop?sito primordial de verificar o desempenho de um clorofil?metro comercial. Foi utilizada uma estrat?gia experimental consistente na indu??o de tr?s n?veis de disponibilidade de N no solo, atrav?s de aduba??o nitrogenada. As hip?teses que guiaram o experimento foram as seguintes: i) n?veis diferenciados de N no solo, resultam em teores diferenciados de clorofila em folhas rec?m emergidas; ii) leituras obtidas com um clorofil?metro guardam rela??o com os teores foliares das clorofilas; iii) teores de clorofila total relacionam-se com os teores foliares de N; e iv) os indicadores ligados ? clorofila foliar guardam rela??o com a produ??o de mat?ria seca. O experimento foi desenvolvido sobre um Planossolo H?plico, no campo experimental da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, munic?pio de Serop?dica, RJ, durante o per?odo de julho a dezembro de 2008. O experimento foi disposto segundo um desenho em blocos inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repeti??es. Os tratamentos, alocados nas parcelas (4x4m), consistiram de tr?s n?veis de N (0; 75 e 150kg N-ur?ia/ha), enquanto que nas sub-parcelas, foram alocadas quatro dias de coletas, contados a partir um corte de uniformiza??o, realizado 131 dias ap?s o plantio do capim. Tr?s das datas de amostragem foram pre-fixadas, aos 8, 16 e 24 dias, enquanto a ?ltima foi realizada quando a pastagem atingiu um n?vel de intercepta??o de 95% da radia??o fotossint?ticamente ativa incidente. A din?mica estrutural foi acompanhada atrav?s da mensura??o das seguintes vari?veis do dossel: altura; densidade populacional de perfilhos; ?ndice de ?rea foliar, ?ndice de cobertura verde, e ac?mulo de massa verde seca. As clorofilas a, b, e (a+b), foram quantificadas, sempre em primeiras folhas completamente expandidas de perfilhos de sol, pelo m?todo de Arnon modificado, e indiretamente, com um aparelho ClorofiLOG?. Os teores de N total foram determinados nas mesmas folhas, pelo m?todo de Kjeldhal. Os resultados mostraram que os teores de clorofila a, b e (a+b) diferiram entre doses de N, e dias de amostragem, atingindo diferen?as m?ximas entre as doses de N aos 24 dias ap?s corte. As leituras do clorofil?metro (?ndice de Clorofila Falker, ICF) e os teores de N foliar tamb?m responderam sensivelmente ?s doses de N, atinguindo valores m?ximos aos 16 dias. Nesse mesmo dia, a an?lise de regress?o linear entre os teores de clorofila total e de N total, contra os respectivos valores de ICF resultou em coeficientes de determina??o de 0,93 e 0,89 respectivamente. O coeficiente de correla??o entre a massa verde seca total e os valores de ICF foi de 0,867. O ac?mulo de mat?ria verde seca total aos 28 dias ap?s o corte relacionouse linearmente com as leituras do clorofil?metro feitas aos 16 dias (r2=0,72), um tipo de resultado promissor em termos de estimativas de disponibilidade de forragem. Como conclus?o, os resultados permitiram verificar que os teores de clorofila total presentes na primeira folha totalmente expandida, responderam ? aplica??o de doses diferenciadas de N e se relacionaram estreitamente com os teores de N foliar. Ambos os atributos foram discriminados de forma precisa pelo clorofil?metro sob avalia??o. Este aparelho maximizou o seu desempenho no per?odo onde ocorreram os m?ximos teores de N foliar, relacionando-se diretamente com a mat?ria seca acumulada no final do per?odo de rebrota.

Feed grain consumption in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region is more than double the total production. Producing more feed grains in this region could generate more profit for grain growers and lower costs for end-users. Increased feed grain production in this region will necessitate improved corn (Zea mays L.) management techniques and adoption of alternative feed grains such as grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). In order to achieve our overall objective of increased corn and grain sorghum production in the region, experiments were conducted to assess tools with the ability to increase the efficiency of sidedress nitrogen (N) application for corn and to test the performance of grain sorghum in both full season and double-crop rotations in this region. For the corn studies, seven field experiments were established in 2012-2014 with four replications in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included a complete factorial of four different preplant N rate (0, 45, 90, 134 kg ha-1) with three different approach simulation model-prescribed rates (Virginia Corn Algorithm, Maize-N, Nutrient Expert-Maize) and the standard Virginia yield-goal based approach. No differences in corn yield were found between the different simulation model and preplant N rate, however the prescribed sidedress N rate varied significantly due to the simulation model, preplant N rate and the interaction between them. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was estimated based on partial factor productivity (PFP) of nitrogen. The greatest PFP resulted from use of the Virginia Corn Algorithm (VCA), which produced 68 kg grain kg N-1 compared with 49 kg grain kg N-1 for the yield-goal based approach. While the VCA shows promise as a tool for improving NUE of sidedress applications in corn, more research is needed to validate performance. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is often double-cropped after small grain in the mid-Atlantic region. Growing grain sorghum in this niche in the cropping system instead could result in greater overall feed grain production. In order to assess the performance of grain sorghum as an alternative in common cropping systems, four field experiments were established at the Southern Piedmont Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SPAREC) and Tidewater Agriculture Research and Extension Center (TAREC), near Blackstone and Holland, Virginia, respectively. The experiments were conducted using a split plot design with four replications and fourteen treatments. Main plot was winter small grain crop; either barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), triticale (x Triticosecale.), wheat (Triticum aetivum L.) or winter-fallow and the subplot either soybean or sorghum. In three of four instances, full season sorghum yields were greater than double-cropped sorghum after small grain. At two locations, sorghum yields following triticale were lower than when following barley, possibly indicating an antagonistic or allelopathic effect of triticale. The most profitable cropping system was wheat-soybean based on the price assumptions and measure yields in this experiment. Among the sorghum cropping system, the most profitable system was also wheat-sorghum. Sorghum can be successfully grown in both full-season and double-crop systems and offers good potential to increase feed grain production in this region. / Ph. D.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The rate of nitrogen (N) in grapevines in the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Southern Brazil, is established considering N content in leaves or leaves petioles and yield expectation limits. Once N fertilization needs have been diagnosed, the N is applied in indefinite times. However, N fertilization recommendations don t consider the impact of N fertilization in the yield, the consequences on grape composition and the contribution of N of crop residues to mineral nutrition of grapevines. The objective of this work was to estimate the recovery and accumulation of N in grapevines and the effect in the yield and grape composition. Three studies were carried on. Study 1, recovery, distribution and accumulation of N fertilizer was studied, in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines, located at Bento Gonçalves city, area of the Serra Gaúcha (experiment 1), and Santana do Livramento city, area of the Campanha (experiment 2), in RS, Southern Brazil. In the experiment 1 and 2 the plants were fertilized with 15N in four forms and, when grapes were mature, plants were fractionated, oven-dried, weighted and analysed for total N and 15N enrichment. Study 2, grape yield and composition of grapevines treated with different amounts of N were studied, in the vineyards of the Study 1. Grapes were collected when ripe and yield was evaluated. Must soluble solids, pH, total acidity, tartaric acid, malic acid, total phenols, anthocyanins and N ammonia were evaluated in part of the berries. The remaining berries were triturated and total N, P, K, Ca and Mg were evaluated. Study 3, decomposition and nutrient release by aerial organs of Lolium perenne (LP) and Trifolium repens (TR) (experiment 1), and grapevines uptake of the N derived from decomposing material (experiment 2) were studied in Chardonnay grapevines located at the experimental Station of the University of Bologna, Italy. In experiment 1, 2 g (DW) of 15N-labelled litter of LP and TR were placed into litter bags which were placed on the vineyard soil surface. Collection of bags LP and TR was performed 8 (June) and 16 (August) weeks from the deposition. Remaining biomass, 15N, N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg and S concentrations were determined. In experiment 2, 30 g plant-1 of dry litter of LP and TR were placed on the herbicided soil under the grape plants. Grapevine leaves were collected 8 and 16 weeks from litter deposition; after 16 weeks, one year (including bunches) and two years shoots were collected, oven-dried, weighted and analysed for total N and 15N enrichement. Results showed that the absorbed N is distributed and accumulated especially in leaves and that most of the N found in the plant was not derived from the fertilizers but from the organic matter already present in the soil. However, N fertilization increased grape yield in the Serra Gaúcha grapevines. The rate can be split 25% at the beginning of bud burst + 25% at bud burst + 25% at flowering + 25% at growth berries; 50% at the beginning of bud burst + 50% at bud burst and 50% at flowering + 50% at growth berries. Moreover, N fertilization altered the grape composition, especially decrease the amount of anthocyanins. LP and TR residues decomposed at the same rate, but nutrient release was different between the two species and varied according with mineral element. The amount of N that grapevines recovered from the decomposing litter was low and similar for LP and TR residues. / No Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a dose de nitrogênio (N) para a videira é definida a partir do seu teor total na folha inteira ou no pecíolo, e na expectativa de produção. Quando diagnosticada a necessidade de aplicação, recomenda-se o seu parcelamento em épocas incertas. Entretanto, essa recomendação não infere informações sobre o impacto do N aplicado na produção e na composição da uva. Também não se considera a contribuição do N dos resíduos de plantas de cobertura depositados na superfície do solo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a recuperação e acumulação de N em videiras e seu efeito na produtividade e na composição da uva e do mosto. Foram conduzidos três estudos: Estudo 1, realizado para estimar a recuperação, distribuição e a acumulação de N aplicado ao solo pela videira. Esse foi composto por dois experimentos: Experimento 1, implantado em um vinhedo de Cabernet Sauvignon na Embrapa Uva e Vinho, Bento Gonçalves (RS), e o experimento 2, instalado na Empresa Pernod Ricard Brasil/Almadén, Santana do Livramento (RS). Nos experimentos 1 e 2 as videiras foram submetidas à aplicação de uma dose de N com 3% de átomos de 15N, em quatro modos de parcelamento. Na maturação da uva, as plantas foram colhidas, fracionadas, secas, determinada a matéria seca (MS) e analisado os totais de N e 15N. O Estudo 2 foi realizado para avaliar a produtividade e a composição da uva e do mosto, em videiras submetidas à aplicação de N. O Estudo 2 foi formado por dois experimentos: Experimento 1, implantado no vinhedo do experimento 1 do Estudo 1, as videiras receberam cinco doses de N e o experimento 2, instalado no vinhedo do experimento 2 do Estudo 1, as videiras foram submetidas à aplicação de seis doses de N. Nos experimentos 1 e 2 a uva foi colhida, determinada a produção e no seu suco avaliado os sólidos solúveis totais, o pH, a acidez total, o ácido tartárico e málico, os polifenóis totais, as antocianinas e o N amoniacal. Além disso, na baga foram analisados os totais de N, P, K, Ca e Mg. O Estudo 3 foi realizado para determinar a contribuição de N derivado da decomposição de resíduos de azevém (Lolium perenne) e trevo branco (Trifolium repens) para a videira. Esse compreendeu dois experimentos instalados em vinhedo de Chardonnay, em Bologna, Itália. No experimento 1, os resíduos de azevém perene e de trevo branco foram colocados no interior de bolsas teladas e depositados no solo. Ao longo do ciclo das videiras as bolsas teladas foram coletadas, determinada a MS remanescente e analisado os totais de 15N, N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg e S. No experimento 2, os resíduos das espécies foram colocados na superfície do solo e na maturação da uva as videiras foram colhidas, fracionadas, secas, determinado a MS e analisado os totais N e 15N. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o N adicionado e absorvido no ano é distribuído e acumulado, preferencialmente, nas folhas, mas a maior parte do N presente na videira é derivada de outras formas, que não a do fertilizante. Entretanto, existe aumento na produção quando da aplicação de N na Serra Gaúcha, podendo a dose ser parcelada 25% no início da brotação+25% na brotação+25% na floração+25% no crescimento das bagas; 50% no início da brotação+50% na brotação e 50% na floração+50% no crescimento das bagas. A aplicação de N altera a composição da uva, especialmente, diminui a quantidade de antocianinas no mosto. Os resíduos de azevém perene e trevo branco depositados na superfície do solo são decompostos com a mesma taxa no ciclo vegetativo e produtivo da videira, porém liberam nutrientes em taxas diferentes. No entanto, isso tem pouca importância, pois as plantas recuperam porcentagens pequenas e iguais de N derivado dos resíduos das duas espécies.

El Nitrogen (N) és l'element mineral al que s'ha vingut prestant major atenció en la gestió de la fertilització de la majoria dels sistemes agrícolas. La complexitat del seu cicle i la forma d’aplicació als diferents tipus de maneig dels cultius dificulten la planificació de la seva disponibilitat per a les plantes. D’altra banda, aplicacions excessives o inadequades poden provocar problemes mediambientals i una menor rendibilitat econòmica. En el cas de blat de moro (Zea mays L.), espècie particularment exigent en N, és important sincronitzar les aportacions i la disponibilitat de N en el sòl amb les demandes per part de la planta. A les Zones Vulnerables, el control de les seves aportacions és escencial. Es coneixen bé els efectes positius de les rotacions de cultius. Més concretament, els beneficis de l'alfals (Medicago sativa L.) sobre els cultius següents estan relacionats principalment amb la capacitat de les lleguminoses de fixar el N2 atmosfèric. Una de les maneres d'avaluar l'aportació en N de l'alfals és calculant el seu Valor de Substitució de Fertilitzant Nitrogenat (N-FRV). En aquesta tesi s'estudia l'efecte de l'alfals en el blat de moro i, posteriorment, el blat (Triticum aestivum L.) en una rotació Alfals-Panís-Blat. D’altra banda s'estudia l'efecte de l'abonat nitrogenat en un monocultiu de panís durant tres anys consecutius a la mateixa parcel·la. L'assaig es va dur a terme els anys 1994-1997 a Torregrossa (als regadius del Canal d’Urgell-Lleida). Durant tres campanyes consecutives, es van assajar quatre dosis de fertilitzant N (0, 100, 200, 300 kg N ha-1) en panís, cv. Juanita. Aquests tres anys de monocultiu s'estudien en el Capítol I. Durant els dos primers anys, simultàniament, es va conrear alfals a la meitat de cada repetició. El tercer any es va substituir l'alfals per blat de moro, assajant les mateixes dosis de fertilitzant que en el monocultiu. El panís en rotació amb l'alfals es va poder comparar així amb el panís d’un tercer any de monocultiu. El quart any, es va sembrar blat, cv. Cartaya, a totes les parcel·les i es van assajar dues dosis de N (0 i 100 kg N ha-1). Aquí es va poder comparar la rotació Alfals-Panís-Blat amb el Panís-Panís-Panís-Blat. Aquests dos últims anys són els quals s'estudien en els Capítols II i III. El Capítol II proposa un N-FRV de l'alfals per als dos cultius següents en els regadius de la Vall de l'Ebre mentre que al Capítol III s'estudia la repercussió que té l'alfals en els cultius següents i a les condicions de producció. A tots els cicles productius es va determinar el contingut en nitrats en el sòl en tres moments de cada cicle. En el blat de moro, es va determinar el rendiment de gra i els seus components, la biomassa produïda en floració i final, l'alçada de la planta, el LAI i el PARi, el contingut en clorofil·la de les fulles, el contingut en nitrats en la base de la tija i el contingut en N del gra i de la planta. Simultàniament es va fer un seguiment del contingut en nitrats de l'aigua de reg i la solució del sòl i del contingut en matèria orgànica. En el blat es va determinar el rendiment de gra i els seus components, la biomassa en encanyat i final i el contingut en N del gra. Al monocultiu de panís, el rendiment de gra i el creixement de la planta es van veure condicionats pel nivell inicial de nitrats en el sòl, la dosi d'adobat i la quantitat de nitrats aportats per l'aigua de reg. El rendiment en gra es va ajustar al model lineal-plateau en 1994 i 1995 i al model quadràtic-plateau en 1996. Els rendiments màxims, 10,2 Mg ha-1 en 1994, 13,1 Mg ha-1 en 1995 y 14,3 Mg ha-1 en 1996, es van obtenir amb una dosis de 100 kg ha-1 en 1994 i 1995 i 200 kg ha-1 en 1996. Amb dosis superiors, el blat de moro va seguir absorbint N i aquest es va acumular primer en el gra. El Valor de Substitució de N (N-FRV) d'un alfals de dos anys a les condicions de l'assaig es va avaluar en 160 kg ha-1 per a un primer cultiu de panís després de l'alfals. Per al cultiu següent de blat, va ser de 76 kg ha-1. L'efecte de l'alfals va repercutir en el contingut en nitrats del sòl, el rendiment de blat de moro (14,7 Mg ha-1 a la rotació i 11,9 Mg ha-1 al monocultiu), la biomassa final, l’alçada i les extraccions de N. En el blat següent va repercutir en el contingut en nitrats del sòl, el rendiment (6,4 Mg ha-1 després de l’alfals i 5,2 Mg ha-1 després del monocultiu), el contingut de N del gra i la biomassa fins a encanyat. Es proposen unes pautes per a determinar la necessitat de fertilitzant N en un panís després de l'alfals. / El Nitrógeno (N) es el elemento mineral al que se ha venido prestando mayor atención en la gestión de la fertilización de la mayoría de los sistemas agrícolas. La complejidad de su ciclo y la forma de aplicación en los distintos tipos de manejo de los cultivos dificultan la planificación de su disponibilidad para las plantas. Por otra parte, aplicaciones excesivas o inadecuadas pueden provocar problemas medioambientales y una menor rentabilidad económica. En el caso de maíz (Zea mays L.), especie particularmente exigente en N, es importante sincronizar las aportaciones y la disponibilidad de N en el suelo con las demandas por parte de la planta. En las Zonas Vulnerables, el control de sus aportaciones es esencial. Son conocidos los efectos positivos de las rotaciones de cultivos. Más concretamente, los beneficios de la alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sobre los cultivos siguientes están relacionados principalmente con la capacidad de las leguminosas de fijar el N2 atmosférico. Una de las maneras de evaluar la aportación en N de la alfalfa es calculando su Valor de Sustitución de Fertilizante Nitrogenado (N-FRV). En esta tesis trabajo se estudia: a) el efecto de la alfalfa en el maíz y, posteriormente, el efecto en el trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) en una rotación Alfalfa-Maíz-Trigo; b) el efecto del abonado nitrogenado en un monocultivo de maíz durante tres años consecutivos en la misma parcela. El ensayo se llevó a cabo los años 1994-1997 en Torregrossa (regadíos del Canal d’Urgell-Lleida). Durante tres campañas consecutivas, se ensayaron cuatro dosis de fertilizante N (0, 100, 200, 300 kg N ha-1) en maíz, cv. Juanita. Estos tres años de monocultivo se estudian en el Capítulo I. Durante los dos primeros años, simultáneamente, se cultivó alfalfa cv. Aragón en la mitad de cada repetición. El tercer año se sustituyó la alfalfa por maíz, ensayando las mismas dosis de fertilizante que en el monocultivo. El maíz en rotación con la alfalfa se pudo comparar así con el maíz en un tercer año de monocultivo. El cuarto año, se sembró trigo, cv. Cartaya, en todas las parcelas y se ensayaron dos dosis de N (0 y 100 kg N ha-1). Aquí se pudo comparar la rotación Alfalfa-Maíz-Trigo con el Maíz-Maíz-Maíz-Trigo. Estos dos últimos años son los que se estudian en los Capítulos II y III. El Capítulo II propone un N-FRV de la alfalfa para los dos cultivos siguientes en los regadíos del Valle medio del Ebro mientras que en el Capítulo III se estudia la repercusión que tiene la alfalfa en los cultivos siguientes y en las condiciones de producción. En todos los ciclos productivos se determinó el contenido en nitratos en el suelo en tres momentos de cada ciclo. En el maíz, se determinó el rendimiento de grano y sus componentes, la biomasa producida en floración y final, la altura de la planta, el LAI y el PARi, el contenido en clorofila de las hojas, el contenido en nitratos en la base del tallo y el contenido en N del grano y de la planta. Simultáneamente se hizo un seguimiento del contenido en nitratos del agua de riego y la solución del suelo y del contenido en materia orgánica. En el trigo se determinó el rendimiento de grano y sus componentes, la biomasa en encañado y final y el contenido en N del grano. En el monocultivo de maíz, el rendimiento de grano y el crecimiento de la planta se vieron condicionados por el nivel inicial de nitratos en el suelo, la dosis de abonado y la cantidad de nitratos aportados por el agua de riego. El rendimiento en grano se ajustó al modelo lineal-meseta en 1994 y 1995 y al modelo cuadrático-meseta en 1996. Los rendimientos máximos, 10,2 Mg ha-1 en 1994, 13,1 Mg ha-1 en 1995 y 14,3 Mg ha-1 en 1996 se obtuvieron con una dosis de 100 kg ha-1 en 1994 y 1995 y 200 kg ha-1 en 1996. Con dosis superiores, el maíz siguió absorbiendo N y este se acumuló primero en el grano. El Valor de Sustitución de N (N-FRV) de una alfalfa de dos años en las condiciones del ensayo se evaluó en 160 kg ha-1 para un primer cultivo de maíz después de la alfalfa. Para el cultivo siguiente de trigo, fue de 76 kg ha-1. El efecto de la alfalfa repercutió en el contenido en nitratos del suelo, en el rendimiento de maíz (14,7 Mg ha-1 en la rotación y 11,9 Mg ha-1 en el monocultivo), la biomasa final, la altura de la planta y las extracciones de N. En el trigo siguiente repercutió en el contenido en nitratos del suelo, el rendimiento (6,4 Mg ha-1 tras la alfalfa y 5,2 Mg ha-1 tras el monocultivo), el contenido de N del grano y la biomasa hasta el encañado. Se proponen unas pautas para determinar la necesidad de fertilizante N en un maíz después de la alfalfa. / In agricultural systems, nitrogen (N) has always been the fertilizer element with an outstanding role. The complexity of its cycle and the different crop management systems difficult the planification of its availability for the plants. On the other hand, excessive or inadequate N applications can produce environmental problems and a lowest economic profitability. In the case of corn (Zea Mays L.), a particularly N demanding crop, it is important to synchronize contributions and N availability in the soil with plant demands. In the N Vulnerable Areas, contribution control become essential. The positive effects of the rotations of cultures are well known. To be more specific, benefits of the alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on the following crops are related principally to the ability of leguminous plants to fix atmospheric N2. One way to evaluate alfalfa’s N contribution is calculating its Nitrogen- Fertilizer Replacement Value (N-FRV). This thesis studies the effect of alfalfa in the corn and, later, in the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a rotation Alfalfa-Corn-Wheat. Simultaneously, the effect of the N fertilizer is studied in a monoculture corn for three consecutive years in the same plot. The study was carried out between 1994 and 1997 in Torregrossa (irrigated area of Canal d'Urgell- Lleida-Spain). During three consecutive years, four doses of N fertilizer were applied (0, 100, 200, 300 kg N ha-1) in corn, cv. Juanita. These three years of monoculture are studied in Chapter I. During the first two years, simultaneously, alfalfa was cropped in half part of the block. The third year, alfalfa was replaced with corn, testing the same doses of fertilizer as in the monoculture. Then, corn in rotation with alfalfa could be compared with the corn in the third year of monoculture. The fourth year wheat, cv. Cartaya, was sowed in all the plots and two doses of N (0 and 100 kg N ha-1) were applied. Here, it was possible to compare the rotation Alfalfa-Corn-Wheat with the Corn-Corn-Corn-Wheat. These two last crops are studied in the Chapters II and III. In Chapter II a N-FRV of the alfalfa for two following crops in the irrigated area of the Ebro Valley is suggested. In Chapter III effects of alfalfa on the following crops and on the production conditions are studied. Every crop, the nitrate content in soil at three moments of the production period was determined. In corn, grain yield and its components, flowering and final biomass, height of plant, LAI and PARi, chlorophyll content in leaves, nitrate content in the base of the stem and N content in grain and plant were determined. Finally, nitrate content in the irrigation water and soil solution and organic matter content were followed. In wheat, grain yield and its components, stem elongation and final biomass and grain N content were measured. In monoculture, corn yield and plant growth were conditioned by initial level of nitrates in the soil, by N fertilizer amount and by nitrates contribution from irrigation water. Grain yield adjust to linear-plateau model in 1994 and 1995 and to quadratic-plateau model in 1996. Maximum yields, 10,2 Mg ha-1 in 1994, 13,1 Mg ha-1 in 1995 and 14,3 Mg ha-1 in 1996, were obtained with 100 kg ha-1 in 1994 and 1995 and with 200 kg ha-1 in 1996. With higher doses, corn kept on absorbing N that was accumulated firstly in the grain. The N-Fertilizer Replacement Value (N-FRV) of an alfalfa of two years in the conditions of the trial was evaluated in 160 kg N ha-1 for the first corn after alfalfa. For the following wheat crop, it was 76 kg N ha-1. The effect of the alfalfa affected nitrate soil content, corn yield (14,7 Mg ha-1 in la rotation and 11,9 Mg ha-1 in monoculture), final biomass and N extractions. In the following wheat, alfalfa affected soil content, yield (6,4 Mg ha-1 after alfalfa and 5,2 Mg ha-1 after the monoculture), grain N content and biomass accumulated until stem elongation. Some rules to determine N fertilizer N needs in a corn after the alfalfa are suggested.

Soil organic matter (SOM) contains about twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. With global changes, the potential shifts in SOM quantity and quality are a major concern. Due to its heterogeneity, SOM remains largely unknown in terms of its molecular composition and responses to climatic events. Traditional bulk soil analysis cannot depict the structural changes in SOM. This thesis applies two complementary molecular-level methods, i.e., SOM biomarker gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to examine the origin and degradation of various SOM components in grassland and temperate forest soils, and to investigate the shifts in microbial community and SOM composition with both laboratory- and field-simulated global changes, such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, increasing soil temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, and nitrogen (N) deposition. This thesis has several major findings. First, as the most active component in soil, microbial communities were sensitive to substrate availability changes resulting from prolonged soil incubation, freeze-thaw-induced cell lyses, N fertilization and increased plant inputs under elevated CO2 or soil warming. Microbial community shifts have direct impacts on SOM decomposition patterns. For instance, an increased fungal community was believed to contribute to the enhanced lignin oxidation in an in situ soil warming experiment as the primary degrader of lignin in terrestrial environments. Second, contrast to the conventional belief that aromatic structure was recalcitrant and stable in SOM, ester-bond aliphatic lipids primarily originating from plant cutin and suberin were preferentially preserved in the Canadian Prairie grassland soil profiles as compared with lignin-derived phenols. Cutin- and suberin-derived compounds also demonstrated higher stability during soil incubation. With an increased litter production under elevated CO2 or global warming, an enrichment of alkyl structures that had strong contributions from leaf cuticles was observed in the Duke Forest Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) and soil warming experiments, suggesting an accumulation of plant-derived recalcitrant carbon in the soil. These results have significant implications for carbon sequestration and terrestrial biogeochemistry. Overall, this thesis represents the first of its kind to employ comprehensive molecular-level techniques in the investigation of SOM structural alterations under global changes.

Soil organic matter (SOM) contains about twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. With global changes, the potential shifts in SOM quantity and quality are a major concern. Due to its heterogeneity, SOM remains largely unknown in terms of its molecular composition and responses to climatic events. Traditional bulk soil analysis cannot depict the structural changes in SOM. This thesis applies two complementary molecular-level methods, i.e., SOM biomarker gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to examine the origin and degradation of various SOM components in grassland and temperate forest soils, and to investigate the shifts in microbial community and SOM composition with both laboratory- and field-simulated global changes, such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, increasing soil temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, and nitrogen (N) deposition. This thesis has several major findings. First, as the most active component in soil, microbial communities were sensitive to substrate availability changes resulting from prolonged soil incubation, freeze-thaw-induced cell lyses, N fertilization and increased plant inputs under elevated CO2 or soil warming. Microbial community shifts have direct impacts on SOM decomposition patterns. For instance, an increased fungal community was believed to contribute to the enhanced lignin oxidation in an in situ soil warming experiment as the primary degrader of lignin in terrestrial environments. Second, contrast to the conventional belief that aromatic structure was recalcitrant and stable in SOM, ester-bond aliphatic lipids primarily originating from plant cutin and suberin were preferentially preserved in the Canadian Prairie grassland soil profiles as compared with lignin-derived phenols. Cutin- and suberin-derived compounds also demonstrated higher stability during soil incubation. With an increased litter production under elevated CO2 or global warming, an enrichment of alkyl structures that had strong contributions from leaf cuticles was observed in the Duke Forest Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) and soil warming experiments, suggesting an accumulation of plant-derived recalcitrant carbon in the soil. These results have significant implications for carbon sequestration and terrestrial biogeochemistry. Overall, this thesis represents the first of its kind to employ comprehensive molecular-level techniques in the investigation of SOM structural alterations under global changes.

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