In Virginia, tall fescue [(Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub,) formally known as Festuca arundinacea L.] can be found on more than 4 million ac of hay and pastureland. Two separate experiments were conducted at three different geographical locations over two growing seasons. The objective of Experiment 1 was to evaluate the influence of N sources and rates on yield and nutritive value of stockpiled tall fescue. Experiment 2 examined the effect of split spring and fall N applications at various rates on yield and nutritive value of tall fescue pastures. The first experiment was conducted at three locations (Blacksburg, Blackstone, and Steeles Tavern, VA) while the second experiment was conducted only at the Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern locations. In Experiment 1, the N sources included ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, urea + Agrotain®, Environmentally Smart N® (ESN), Nutrisphere (NSN), Nitamin® (Blackstone only), pelleted biosolids (Blackstone only), and broiler litter (Steeles Tavern only) applied at 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112 kg plant available N (PAN) ha-1. Plots were harvested in mid-December (Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern) and late January (Blackstone). The yield of the stockpiled tall fescue in 2006 ranged from 1,300 to 2,900, 1,700 to 3,000, and 2,600 to 3,300 kg DM ha-1 for the Blacksburg, Steeles Tavern and Blackstone locations, respectively. In 2007, however, the yield response to N rate and sources was significantly less than that of 2006 due to low rainfall. At the Blacksburg location, ammonium sulfate and ESN resulted in higher CP concentrations, ranging from 11-14% and 12-20% for 2006 and 2007 growing seasons, respectively. Similar variation (12-20%) was observed for the Steeles Tavern location in 2006. In general, the ADF and NDF content decreased as N rate increased from 0-112 kg ha1. Although the source and rate that resulted in high yield and nutritive value varied across location and years, N rates and sources improved the quality and yield of stockpiled fescue. Experiment 2 utilized urea which was applied in the fall at the rates of 0, 45, 90 or 135 kg N ha-1. followed by spring application of 0, 45, 90 or 135 kg N ha-1. A total of 16 treatment combinations per replication were used. Yields ranged from 1,900 to 3,600 kg DM ha-1 and 700 to 2,500 kg DM ha-1 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. At the Steeles Tavern location, yields ranged from 3,100 to 5,700 kg DM ha-1 and 2,500 to 5,100 kg DM ha-1, in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In both years CP increased with increasing N fertilization. On a dry matter basis, CP values ranged from 14 to 23% for both years. Treatments did not affect on NDF and ADF values. Split fall/spring N applications did not maximize yield of cool-season grass pastures in these experiments. / Master of Science

No description available.

Blends of controlled release and stabilized nitrogen (N) fertilizer represent an alternative to provide N at all corn growth stages, and is an option to reduce costs compared to the use of solely controlled release N. In this context, field experiments were conducted in Southeast Brazil with the use of a blend of polymer-sulfur coated urea (PSCU) and NBPT-treated urea (NBPTU) at a 70:30 ratio, applied at corn planting and incorporated into the soil. The objectives of the study were: i) to quantify and measure each fertilizer-derived N fate in the plants, and determine the nitrogen recovery efficiency of each N source in the blend; ii) to evaluate corn grain yield response to N rates (blend) in contrasting cropping systems, and to assess the posibility of reducing N rate when applying a blend of two enhanced efficiency N fertilizers compared to the application of regular urea; iii) understand and monitor changes in plant biomass and N uptake during the growing season. Fertilizer N contributed with less than 50% of the total plant N uptake at all evaluated corn growth stages (V4, V12, R2, and R6). At V4 growth stage, most of the N in the plant derived from fertilizer (NPDF) was provided by NBPTU, while later in the season, most of the NPDF was provided by PSCU. At harvest, most of the plant N was allocated in the grains (59%). Of the total plant N, 64% was supplied by the native soil N pool, 26% was provided by PSCU, and 10% by NBPTU. Therefore, NBPTU provided N to corn early in the season, while PSCU played a crucial role supplying N later in the season, as plants demand for N increased. Soil N was the main N source at all GS and this fraction decreased as N rate increased. At harvest, 64% of the total plant N was derived from the soil native N pool, 26% derived from PSCU, and 10% from urea. The measured fertilizer NRE of urea was in average 36%, and the estimated NUE from PSCU was 51%. In the second study, corn grain yield varied between sites, probably due to soil and climate characteristics of each site. Corn grain yield, N uptake, and biomass production were greatly impacted by fertilizer N. Grain yield and N uptake showed a quadratic response to N rates (blend). The blend of PSCU and NBPTU, applied at corn planting and incorporated into the soil proved to be a great strategy to attain yields at N rates below those needed when using regular urea. The third chapter focused on corn biomass and N uptake and partitioning throughout the growing season, and it was demonstrated that the amount of N uptake after flowering can reach up to 50% of the total plant N, thus, N availability must be guaranteed in late vegetative corn growth stages, and especially in the reproductive stages, which can be achieved by adopting enhanced efficiency N fertilizers such as the blend of PSCU and NBPTU used in this study. / A mistura de fertilizantes nitrogenados de liberação controlada e estabilizados representa uma alternativa para fornecer nitrogênio (N) em todos os estádios da cultura do milho, além de ser uma opção válida para reduzir custos em comparação ao uso exclusivo de produtos de liberação controlada. Neste sentido, conduziram-se experimentos de campo na região Sudeste do Brasil com a aplicação de um blend de ureia revestida com enxofre e polímeros (UREP) e ureia tratada com NBPT (U-NBPT), na proporção 70:30, aplicada na semeadura do milho, de forma incorporada. Os objetivos do trabalho foram: i) avaliar o destino do N dentro das plantas de milho proveniente dos fertilizantes misturados e determinar a eficiência de recuperação de cada um; ii) avaliar a resposta do rendimento de grãos de milho a doses de N (blend) em sistemas de produção contrastantes e avaliar a possibilidade de reduzir as doses de N quando aplicado o blend em comparação à ureia convencional; iii) entender e monitorar as mudanças da biomassa e o nitrogênio dentro das plantas de milho ao longo do ciclo da cultura. No primeiro estudo, o N na planta proveniente da UREP, da U-NBPT, e do solo (N-Solo) variaram ao longo do ciclo do milho. Contudo os fertilizantes nitrogenados contribuiram com menos de 50% do N total da planta em todos os estadios avaliados (V4, V12, R2 e R6). No estádio V4, a maior parte do N na planta proveniente de fertilizante (NPPF) foi fornecido pela U-NBPT, enquanto que nos estadios seguintes, a maior parte do NPPF foi fornecido pela UREP. O N-Solo foi o maior fornecedor de N para a planta, mas a contribuição diminuiu com o aumento das doses de N. Na colheita, 59% do total do N da planta foi alocado nos grãos. Do total de N da planta, 64% foi proveniente do N-Solo, 26% foi fornecido pela UREP, e 10% pela U-NBPT. A eficiência de recuperação da UREP e U-NBPT foram, respectivamente, 51 e 36%. No segundo estudo, o rendimento de grãos de milho variou entre locais, provavelmente devido às condições edafo-climáticas de cada área experimental. A aplicação do fertilizante nitrogenado influenciou o rendimento de grãos de milho, a produção de biomassa e acúmulo de N em todos os locais. O rendimento de grãos e acúmulo de N mostraram uma resposta quadrática às doses de N (blend). A incorporação do blend de UREP e U-NBPT na semeadura do milho mostrou-se como uma ótima estratégia para evitar perdas massivas de N e mostrou que pode atingir produtividade similar a ureia convencional com doses de N menores. O terceiro capítulo, com foco no acúmulo e particionamento da biomassa e N nas plantas de milho ao longo do ciclo, desmonstrou que a quantidade de N absorvido após o florescimento pode chegar a 50% do total de N acumulado nas plantas, pelo que adequada disponibilidade de N deve ser garantida nos estádios vegetativos finais e nos estádios reprodutivos da cultura do milho, o que pode ser conseguido com o uso de misturas de UREP e U-NBPT.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:07:35Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 maia_scm_me_botfca.pdf: 3637798 bytes, checksum: 42c60ca08ea3f3717b8ba3a464ed6462 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Técnicas de manejo que possibilitem a maximização de absorção de N pelo feijoeiro são de extrema importância, em razão do alto custo dos fertilizantes nitrogenados e das perdas de N, que podem representar prejuízos aos produtores e riscos ao ambiente. Nesse sentido, a estimativa da necessidade de N pelo feijoeiro mediante a leitura indireta de clorofila, pelo clorofilômetro portátil, pode ser uma alternativa viável. Contudo, ainda existe a necessidade de estabelecimento de critérios para a utilização desse aparelho na cultura do feijão. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: a) verificar a correlação entre o índice relativo de clorofila (IRC), obtido mediante leituras do clorofilômetro portátil (SPAD- 502), e o teor de N da folha de dois cultivares de feijão (IAC Alvorada e Pérola) em diversos estádios de desenvolvimento; b) verificar o comportamento do IRC e do índice de suficiência de N (ISN) em função dos manejos de N aplicado em cobertura; c) avaliar o ISN calculado com base nas medidas IRC nas folhas como indicador do momento de aplicação de N em cobertura na cultura do feijão e, d) verificar qual valor do ISN (90% e 95%) em relação ao tratamento referência é o mais adequado para indicar o momento da adubação nitrogenada em cada cultivar utilizado. O trabalho foi constituído de um experimento conduzido durantes as safras “das águas” e “da seca” do ano agrícola 2009/2010, na Fazenda Experimental Lageado da FCA/UNESP - Botucatu-SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcela subdividias, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por dois cultivares de feijão (Pérola e IAC Alvorada) e as subparcelas por seis manejos do N M1: 40 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura + 80 kg ha-1 de N aos 15 dias após a emergência (DAE) + 80 kg ha-1 de N aos 30 DAE; M2: 20 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Management techniques that allow the maximization of N uptake by bean crop are extremely important, because of high cost of nitrogen fertilizers and N losing, which may represent losses to producers and risks to the environment. In this sense, the estimation of N needs of common bean crop by indirect reading of chlorophyll can be a viable alternative. However, there is remains the need to establish criteria for using this device in the bean. The aims of this study were: a) determine the correlation between relative chlorophyll index (RCI), obtained by reading of chlorophyll (SPAD 502) and leaf N content of two bean cultivars (IAC Alvorada and Pérola) in various stages of development; b) verify the behavior of the RCI and N sufficiency index (NSI) for different sidedressing N management practices; c) evaluated the NSI calculated based on the measures RCI leaves as an indicator of time of N application in sidedressing on bean crop and d) verify that value of NSI (90% and 95%) compared to the reference treatment is most appropriate to indicate the moment of fertilization in each cultivar. The work was composed of an experiment conducted in rainy and dry season of agricultural year 2009/2010 at the Experimental Lageado Farm FCA/UNESP - Botucatu-SP. A randomized block in split plot scheme, with four replications was used. Plots consisted of two bean cultivars (IAC Alvorada and Pérola) and subplots of six N managements M1: 40 kg ha-1 N at sowing + 80 kg ha-1 at 15 days after emergence (DAE) + 80 kg ha-1 N at 30 DAE; M2: 20 kg ha-1 N at sowing + 40 kg ha-1 N at 15 DAE + 40 kg ha-1 N at 30 DAE; M3: 10 kg ha-1 N at sowing + 20 kg ha-1 N at 15 DAE + 20 kg ha-1 N at 30 DAE; M4: 20 kg ha-1 N at sowing + 30 kg ha-1 N when chlorophyll meter readings indicated NSI <95%; M5: 20 kg ha-1 N at sowing + 30 kg N ha-1 N when chlorophyll meter readings indicated NSI <90% and, M6: control (without nitrogen)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Blends of controlled release and stabilized nitrogen (N) fertilizer represent an alternative to provide N at all corn growth stages, and is an option to reduce costs compared to the use of solely controlled release N. In this context, field experiments were conducted in Southeast Brazil with the use of a blend of polymer-sulfur coated urea (PSCU) and NBPT-treated urea (NBPTU) at a 70:30 ratio, applied at corn planting and incorporated into the soil. The objectives of the study were: i) to quantify and measure each fertilizer-derived N fate in the plants, and determine the nitrogen recovery efficiency of each N source in the blend; ii) to evaluate corn grain yield response to N rates (blend) in contrasting cropping systems, and to assess the posibility of reducing N rate when applying a blend of two enhanced efficiency N fertilizers compared to the application of regular urea; iii) understand and monitor changes in plant biomass and N uptake during the growing season. Fertilizer N contributed with less than 50% of the total plant N uptake at all evaluated corn growth stages (V4, V12, R2, and R6). At V4 growth stage, most of the N in the plant derived from fertilizer (NPDF) was provided by NBPTU, while later in the season, most of the NPDF was provided by PSCU. At harvest, most of the plant N was allocated in the grains (59%). Of the total plant N, 64% was supplied by the native soil N pool, 26% was provided by PSCU, and 10% by NBPTU. Therefore, NBPTU provided N to corn early in the season, while PSCU played a crucial role supplying N later in the season, as plants demand for N increased. Soil N was the main N source at all GS and this fraction decreased as N rate increased. At harvest, 64% of the total plant N was derived from the soil native N pool, 26% derived from PSCU, and 10% from urea. The measured fertilizer NRE of urea was in average 36%, and the estimated NUE from PSCU was 51%. In the second study, corn grain yield varied between sites, probably due to soil and climate characteristics of each site. Corn grain yield, N uptake, and biomass production were greatly impacted by fertilizer N. Grain yield and N uptake showed a quadratic response to N rates (blend). The blend of PSCU and NBPTU, applied at corn planting and incorporated into the soil proved to be a great strategy to attain yields at N rates below those needed when using regular urea. The third chapter focused on corn biomass and N uptake and partitioning throughout the growing season, and it was demonstrated that the amount of N uptake after flowering can reach up to 50% of the total plant N, thus, N availability must be guaranteed in late vegetative corn growth stages, and especially in the reproductive stages, which can be achieved by adopting enhanced efficiency N fertilizers such as the blend of PSCU and NBPTU used in this study. / A mistura de fertilizantes nitrogenados de liberação controlada e estabilizados representa uma alternativa para fornecer nitrogênio (N) em todos os estádios da cultura do milho, além de ser uma opção válida para reduzir custos em comparação ao uso exclusivo de produtos de liberação controlada. Neste sentido, conduziram-se experimentos de campo na região Sudeste do Brasil com a aplicação de um blend de ureia revestida com enxofre e polímeros (UREP) e ureia tratada com NBPT (U-NBPT), na proporção 70:30, aplicada na semeadura do milho, de forma incorporada. Os objetivos do trabalho foram: i) avaliar o destino do N dentro das plantas de milho proveniente dos fertilizantes misturados e determinar a eficiência de recuperação de cada um; ii) avaliar a resposta do rendimento de grãos de milho a doses de N (blend) em sistemas de produção contrastantes e avaliar a possibilidade de reduzir as doses de N quando aplicado o blend em comparação à ureia convencional; iii) entender e monitorar as mudanças da biomassa e o nitrogênio dentro das plantas de milho ao longo do ciclo da cultura. No primeiro estudo, o N na planta proveniente da UREP, da U-NBPT, e do solo (N-Solo) variaram ao longo do ciclo do milho. Contudo os fertilizantes nitrogenados contribuiram com menos de 50% do N total da planta em todos os estadios avaliados (V4, V12, R2 e R6). No estádio V4, a maior parte do N na planta proveniente de fertilizante (NPPF) foi fornecido pela U-NBPT, enquanto que nos estadios seguintes, a maior parte do NPPF foi fornecido pela UREP. O N-Solo foi o maior fornecedor de N para a planta, mas a contribuição diminuiu com o aumento das doses de N. Na colheita, 59% do total do N da planta foi alocado nos grãos. Do total de N da planta, 64% foi proveniente do N-Solo, 26% foi fornecido pela UREP, e 10% pela U-NBPT. A eficiência de recuperação da UREP e U-NBPT foram, respectivamente, 51 e 36%. No segundo estudo, o rendimento de grãos de milho variou entre locais, provavelmente devido às condições edafo-climáticas de cada área experimental. A aplicação do fertilizante nitrogenado influenciou o rendimento de grãos de milho, a produção de biomassa e acúmulo de N em todos os locais. O rendimento de grãos e acúmulo de N mostraram uma resposta quadrática às doses de N (blend). A incorporação do blend de UREP e U-NBPT na semeadura do milho mostrou-se como uma ótima estratégia para evitar perdas massivas de N e mostrou que pode atingir produtividade similar a ureia convencional com doses de N menores. O terceiro capítulo, com foco no acúmulo e particionamento da biomassa e N nas plantas de milho ao longo do ciclo, desmonstrou que a quantidade de N absorvido após o florescimento pode chegar a 50% do total de N acumulado nas plantas, pelo que adequada disponibilidade de N deve ser garantida nos estádios vegetativos finais e nos estádios reprodutivos da cultura do milho, o que pode ser conseguido com o uso de misturas de UREP e U-NBPT.

Os fertilizantes nitrogenados desempenham função importante na nutrição e aumento da produtividade da cana-de-açúcar, porém alteram os processos de transformação de C e N do solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo principal avaliar o efeito da aplicação consecutiva de fertilizantes minerais e orgânicos nas transformações microbianas, na mineralização do N, nos estoques de C, N total e N mineral, e na fertilidade do solo a médio prazo. Foram escolhidas duas áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo nas quais experimentos com manejo da adubação nitrogenada foram conduzidos desde 2010 e 2011, com reaplicação anual dos tratamentos até 2014. Nestas áreas foi adotado o delineamento estatístico casualizado em blocos com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: controle (sem adubação nitrogenada), adubação com as fontes nitrato de amônio, ureia, composto orgânico e Ajifer&reg; na dose 100 kg ha-1 ano-1 N, e adubação com a fonte YaraBella NitromagTM nas doses de 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha- 1 ano-1 N. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos na variação da fertilidade do solo e no teor de N orgânico hidrolisável (N-ISNT), foram realizadas amostragens de solo anuais nestes experimentos nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos nos processos de transformação do C e N do solo, em 2014 foram coletadas amostras de solo até 100 cm de profundidade nos tratamentos controle, composto orgânico, YaraBella NitromagTM nas doses 100 e 200 kg ha-1 ano-1 N e mata nativa, nas quais foram determinados a densidade do solo e teores de C orgânico, N total e N mineral (N-NH4+ e N-NO3- + N-NO2-). Adicionalmente, amostras da camada de 0-20 cm foram incubadas em laboratório para avaliar a disponibilidade temporal de N e os teores de C e N da biomassa microbiana e sua atividade. Os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada consecutiva foram pouco expressivos nas transformações microbianas, na disponibilidade temporal de N mineral e nos estoques de C e N do solo; entretanto, foi observado acúmulo de N mineral em camadas mais profundas (> 40 cm) para a dose de 200 kg ha-1 ano-1 N. Além disso, a área de mata apresentou melhores atributos microbiológicos e maior estoque de C e N comparado às áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar. Em relação à variação da fertilidade do solo, observou-se que o aumento das doses de N potencializa a acidificação do solo em anos consecutivos, assim como promove diminuição do teor de bases trocáveis. A manutenção da fertilidade do solo, dos atributos microbiológicos, e dos estoques de C, N total e N mineral para produção sustentável de biocombustíveis depende do manejo adequado da fertilização nitrogenada no sistema de colheita dos canaviais sem prévia queima. De forma complementar e paralela a estes trabalhos, foi objeto de estudo a adaptação e validação de métodos colorimétricos na determinação de N inorgânico em extratos de solos tropicais. Os resultados revelaram que é necessário adicionar carvão ativado durante o processo de extração para que os métodos colorimétricos apresentem melhor exatidão e precisão. Recomenda-se utilizar solução extratora de KCl 2,0 mol L-1 e permitir tempo de reação de 30 min. A faixa linear de trabalho mais adequada varia de 0 a 7,5 e 0 a 10,0 mg L-1 de N para leituras de N-NH4+ e N-NO3- respectivamente. / Nitrogen fertilizers play an important role in nutrition and increased productivity of sugarcane, however, affect cycling of C and N in the soil. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the effect of the consecutive application of organic and inorganic sources of N in microbial soil transformations, in N mineralization, in C, total N and mineral N stocks, and soil fertility in the medium term. They were chosen two areas cultivated with sugarcane in the State of São Paulo in which experiments with management of nitrogen fertilization have been conducted since 2010 and 2011, with annual reapplication of treatments through 2014. In these areas was adopted the randomized blocks experimental design, with four replications. The treatments were: control (no nitrogen fertilization), fertilization with sources of ammonium nitrate, urea, organic fertilizer and Ajifer&reg; at rate of 100 kg ha-1 yr-1 N, and fertilization with YaraBella NitromagTM source at rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N. To evaluate the effect of treatments on the variation of soil fertility and hydrolysable organic-N fraction (N-ISNT), annual soil samples were collected in these experiments at 0-0.2 and 0.2-0.40 m. To evaluate the effect of treatments on soil C and N transformations, soil samples were collected up to 1.0 m depth in the control, organic fertilizers, YaraBella NitromagTM at rates of 100 and 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N treatments and bushland, in which were determined bulk density and organic C, total N and mineral N (NH4+-N and NO2--N + NO3--N). In addition, soil samples of the 0-0.2 m were incubated in the laboratory to assess the availability of N and the content of C and N microbial biomass and microbial activity. The effects of consecutive nitrogen fertilizer were inexpressive in microbial transformations, in the temporal availability of mineral N and C and N soil stocks; however, it was observed mineral N accumulation in deeper layers (> 0.4 m) at rate of 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N. Moreover, the bushland showed better microbiological attributes and largest C and N soil stocks compared with areas cultivated with sugarcane. In relation to the variation of soil fertility, it observed that the increase in N rates enhances the soil acidification in consecutive years, and promotes decreased levels of exchangeable bases. The maintenance of soil fertility, the microbiological attributes, and the C, total N and mineral N soil stocks for sustainable biofuel production depends on proper management of nitrogen fertilization on crop system of without burning sugarcane fields. Complementarily and in parallel with these studies, it was the object of study the adaptation and validation of colorimetric methods for the determination of inorganic N in tropical soil extracts. The results revealed that it is necessary to add activated charcoal during the extraction process so that colorimetric methods exhibit better accuracy and precision. It is recommended to use extraction solution of KCl 2,0 mol L-1 and allow 30 min reaction time between addition of reagent and the spectrophotometer reading. The linear working range more suitable varies from 0 to 7.5 and 0 to 10,0 mg L-1 of N for measurement of NH4+-N and NO3--N respectively.

Os fertilizantes nitrogenados desempenham função importante na nutrição e aumento da produtividade da cana-de-açúcar, porém alteram os processos de transformação de C e N do solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo principal avaliar o efeito da aplicação consecutiva de fertilizantes minerais e orgânicos nas transformações microbianas, na mineralização do N, nos estoques de C, N total e N mineral, e na fertilidade do solo a médio prazo. Foram escolhidas duas áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo nas quais experimentos com manejo da adubação nitrogenada foram conduzidos desde 2010 e 2011, com reaplicação anual dos tratamentos até 2014. Nestas áreas foi adotado o delineamento estatístico casualizado em blocos com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: controle (sem adubação nitrogenada), adubação com as fontes nitrato de amônio, ureia, composto orgânico e Ajifer&reg; na dose 100 kg ha-1 ano-1 N, e adubação com a fonte YaraBella NitromagTM nas doses de 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha- 1 ano-1 N. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos na variação da fertilidade do solo e no teor de N orgânico hidrolisável (N-ISNT), foram realizadas amostragens de solo anuais nestes experimentos nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos nos processos de transformação do C e N do solo, em 2014 foram coletadas amostras de solo até 100 cm de profundidade nos tratamentos controle, composto orgânico, YaraBella NitromagTM nas doses 100 e 200 kg ha-1 ano-1 N e mata nativa, nas quais foram determinados a densidade do solo e teores de C orgânico, N total e N mineral (N-NH4+ e N-NO3- + N-NO2-). Adicionalmente, amostras da camada de 0-20 cm foram incubadas em laboratório para avaliar a disponibilidade temporal de N e os teores de C e N da biomassa microbiana e sua atividade. Os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada consecutiva foram pouco expressivos nas transformações microbianas, na disponibilidade temporal de N mineral e nos estoques de C e N do solo; entretanto, foi observado acúmulo de N mineral em camadas mais profundas (> 40 cm) para a dose de 200 kg ha-1 ano-1 N. Além disso, a área de mata apresentou melhores atributos microbiológicos e maior estoque de C e N comparado às áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar. Em relação à variação da fertilidade do solo, observou-se que o aumento das doses de N potencializa a acidificação do solo em anos consecutivos, assim como promove diminuição do teor de bases trocáveis. A manutenção da fertilidade do solo, dos atributos microbiológicos, e dos estoques de C, N total e N mineral para produção sustentável de biocombustíveis depende do manejo adequado da fertilização nitrogenada no sistema de colheita dos canaviais sem prévia queima. De forma complementar e paralela a estes trabalhos, foi objeto de estudo a adaptação e validação de métodos colorimétricos na determinação de N inorgânico em extratos de solos tropicais. Os resultados revelaram que é necessário adicionar carvão ativado durante o processo de extração para que os métodos colorimétricos apresentem melhor exatidão e precisão. Recomenda-se utilizar solução extratora de KCl 2,0 mol L-1 e permitir tempo de reação de 30 min. A faixa linear de trabalho mais adequada varia de 0 a 7,5 e 0 a 10,0 mg L-1 de N para leituras de N-NH4+ e N-NO3- respectivamente. / Nitrogen fertilizers play an important role in nutrition and increased productivity of sugarcane, however, affect cycling of C and N in the soil. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the effect of the consecutive application of organic and inorganic sources of N in microbial soil transformations, in N mineralization, in C, total N and mineral N stocks, and soil fertility in the medium term. They were chosen two areas cultivated with sugarcane in the State of São Paulo in which experiments with management of nitrogen fertilization have been conducted since 2010 and 2011, with annual reapplication of treatments through 2014. In these areas was adopted the randomized blocks experimental design, with four replications. The treatments were: control (no nitrogen fertilization), fertilization with sources of ammonium nitrate, urea, organic fertilizer and Ajifer&reg; at rate of 100 kg ha-1 yr-1 N, and fertilization with YaraBella NitromagTM source at rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N. To evaluate the effect of treatments on the variation of soil fertility and hydrolysable organic-N fraction (N-ISNT), annual soil samples were collected in these experiments at 0-0.2 and 0.2-0.40 m. To evaluate the effect of treatments on soil C and N transformations, soil samples were collected up to 1.0 m depth in the control, organic fertilizers, YaraBella NitromagTM at rates of 100 and 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N treatments and bushland, in which were determined bulk density and organic C, total N and mineral N (NH4+-N and NO2--N + NO3--N). In addition, soil samples of the 0-0.2 m were incubated in the laboratory to assess the availability of N and the content of C and N microbial biomass and microbial activity. The effects of consecutive nitrogen fertilizer were inexpressive in microbial transformations, in the temporal availability of mineral N and C and N soil stocks; however, it was observed mineral N accumulation in deeper layers (> 0.4 m) at rate of 200 kg ha-1 yr-1 N. Moreover, the bushland showed better microbiological attributes and largest C and N soil stocks compared with areas cultivated with sugarcane. In relation to the variation of soil fertility, it observed that the increase in N rates enhances the soil acidification in consecutive years, and promotes decreased levels of exchangeable bases. The maintenance of soil fertility, the microbiological attributes, and the C, total N and mineral N soil stocks for sustainable biofuel production depends on proper management of nitrogen fertilization on crop system of without burning sugarcane fields. Complementarily and in parallel with these studies, it was the object of study the adaptation and validation of colorimetric methods for the determination of inorganic N in tropical soil extracts. The results revealed that it is necessary to add activated charcoal during the extraction process so that colorimetric methods exhibit better accuracy and precision. It is recommended to use extraction solution of KCl 2,0 mol L-1 and allow 30 min reaction time between addition of reagent and the spectrophotometer reading. The linear working range more suitable varies from 0 to 7.5 and 0 to 10,0 mg L-1 of N for measurement of NH4+-N and NO3--N respectively.

In this study several free-living diazotrophs (FLD) were isolated and screened for their nitrogen fixing ability on a range of crops grown in greenhouse, hydroponics and field trials. Rhizosphere isolates of free-living diazotrophs (FLD) may be effective biofertilizer inoculants, and may improve plant health where crops are grown with little or no fertilizer, as is the case in the Developing World. FLD isolates from rhizospheric soils in KwaZulu-Natal were assessed by growing them on N-free media, which is a key isolation method. They were then evaluated for their nitrogenase activity by quantifying ethylene production from acetylene by gas chromatography (GC). The free living isolates that produced greater quantities of ethylene were detected by an acetylene reduction assay (ARA). These were further assessed for colony formation on N-free media with different carbon sources, and at a range of temperatures (20, 25 and 300C) and pH values (6.0, 7.0 and 8.0). Isolates G3 and L1 were identified using DNA sequencing by Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd as Burkholderia ambifaria Coenye et al, and Bacillus cereus Frankland, respectively. These isolates grew significantly better on an ethanol medium, at temperatures of 20, 25 and 300C and pHs of 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0. Isolates B3 (Burkholderia sp.) and D6 (Bacillus cereus Frankland) also grew well on an ethanol medium, but only at 200C and at a pH of 6.0 and 7.0, respectively, while Isolate E9 (Burkholderia cepacia Frankland) grew well on an ethanol medium only at 300C, and pH 6.0 and 7.0. Temperature and pH strongly influence FLD growth on N-free media using different carbon sources. Further trials were conducted to screen the best isolates under greenhouse condition, using both seed treatments and drenching application techniques onto several crops. The drenching application resulted in an increase in the growth and N-total of all the evaluated crops, relative to an unfertilized control. Growth and N-total of maize and sorghum increased with seed treatments, but did not increase the growth of lettuce and zucchini. Drenching of FLD isolates at 106cfu ml-1, applied on weekly basis, resulted in an increase in the growth of lettuce. Increased doses and frequency of application of the FLD bacteria resulted in a decrease in lettuce growth. This led to the conclusion that application of FLD bacteria at high doses and short intervals may create a situation where the applied FLD bacteria and the resident rhizosphere microbes compete for root exudates. High doses at low frequencies and low doses at high frequencies may be more effective on lettuce. Inoculation of Isolate L1 (B. cereus) at 106cfu ml-1 or in combination with Eco-T® (Trichoderma harzianum Rifai), significantly increased growth of lettuce. This result may have been due to nitrogen fixation, or to secretion of growth promoting substances by both the FLD and T. harzianum, and to biocontrol effects of Eco-T®. Application of Isolate L1 (B. cereus) at 106cfu ml-1 with or without Eco-T® was an effective tool for enhancing plant growth and nitrogen fixation. An FLD, Isolate L1 (B. cereus), was applied to lettuce plants together with a complete hydroponics fertilizer at 25% strength (Ocean Agriculture 3:1:3 (38) Complete), with the N level at 25mg l-1. These plants grew significantly better than the control plants grown on 25% of normal NPK fertilization, or with an inoculation of L1 alone. This indicates that it may be possible to integrate FLD applications with the application of low levels of commercial fertilizers, which is what resource poor farmers can afford. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Marine nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for all oceanic organisms. The cycling of N between biologically available and unavailable forms occurs through numerous reactions. Because of the vast number of reactions and chemical species involved, the N cycle is still not well understood. This dissertation focuses on understanding some of the reactions involved in the cycling of marine N, as well as improving techniques used to measure dissolved N2 gas. The largest loss term for global marine N is a reaction called denitrification. In this work, denitrification was measured in the sandy sediments of the Georgia continental shelf, an area where this reaction was thought to be unlikely because of the physical properties of the sediments. Nitrogen fixation, which is a reaction that produces biologically available N, was detected in Georgia estuarine sediments. N fixation was measured concurrently with denitrification in these sediments, resulting in a much smaller net loss of marine N than previously thought. Lastly, membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) is a technique that measures dissolved N2, the end product of denitrification and a reactant in N fixation reactions. This study suggests that N2 measurements by MIMS are influenced by O2 concentrations due to pressure differences inside of the ion source of the mass spectrometer. These findings seek to improve denitrification measurements using MIMS on samples with varying O2 concentrations. In conclusion, this dissertation suggests that the marine N cycle is more dynamic than has been suggested, due to the recognition of input and loss reactions in a wider range of marine and estuarine environments. However, improvements in the understanding of MIMS will help with direct measurements with reactions involved in the global marine N cycle.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 1955. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming