Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influencia da configuração física do sistema de espalhamento de palha em colheitadeira de grãos na eficiência do espalhamento da palha, visando cobertura mais uniforme do solo de cultivo. Tal processo produzirá melhoramentos no próximo plantio, pois espalhamento mais uniforme de palha evita perdas de nutrientes do solo por incidência luz solar, assim como previne erosão hídrica e eólica. Para analisar a influencia dos parâmetros da configuração física do sistema espalhador de palha foram realizados testes alterando parâmetros como quantidade de pás, ângulo de pás, rotação dos rotores, diâmetro dos rotores, defletor central e vazão de material. Devido à importância econômica no cenário nacional e mundial, utilizou-se a cultura de soja e os testes foram realizados em laboratório seguindo as normas da Sociedade Americana de Engenheiros Agrícolas e Biológicos (ASAE). O trabalho visa fornecer dados que auxiliem designers no desenvolvimento de novos projetos de gerenciamento de resíduos, de modo que venham a aumentar a eficiência desses sistemas, contribuindo com o crescimento da agricultura em no país. Os resultados apontam que a geometria do defletor central apresenta o parâmetro de maior influencia na uniformidade de cobertura da palha ao solo. / The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of the physical configuration of the straw spread system in grain harvester on the efficiency of the straw spread, aiming at a more uniform coverage of the crop soil. This process will produce improvements in the next planting, because more uniform straw spread prevents soil nutrient losses by sunlight, as well as prevent water and wind erosion. In order to analyze the influence of the parameters of the physical configuration of the straw spreader system, tests were performed changing parameters such as blade quantity, blade angle, rotor rotation, rotor diameter, central deflector and material flow. Due to the economic importance in the national and world scenario, the soybean crop was used and the tests were carried out in laboratory according to the standards of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASAE). The work aims to provide data to assist designers in the development of new waste management projects, so that they will increase the efficiency of these systems, contributing to the growth of agriculture in the country. The results indicate that the geometry of the central baffle presents the parameter of greatest influence on the uniformity of covering of the straw to the soil.

The application of crop residues is one of the most common agricultural practices used to maintain soil ecosystems and crop productivity. This thesis focuses on the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) agroecosystem, an important tropical crop that has expanded rapidly over the past four decades. Both land conversion and business-as-usual practices within the plantations have contributed to soil degradation. The application of oil palm residues, such as empty fruit bunches (EFB) and oil palm fronds, are thought to have positive effects on the soil ecosystem; yet there is currently a deficit of knowledge on their effectiveness. This thesis aims to examine the effects of oil palm residue application on soil physicochemical properties, soil biota, and ecosystem functions. It reports the results of extensive field trials, sample collection, and statistical analysis of crop residue applications in oil palm plantations in Central Sumatra, Indonesia. Four key results emerged from the thesis. First, in this study site land conversion from secondary forest to oil palm does not affect litter decomposition rate, but positively influences soil fauna activity. Second, there is greater soil fauna activity following EFB application than oil palm fronds or chemical fertilizers, and the fauna activity is highly associated with changes in soil chemical properties and soil moisture conditions. Third, EFB application enhances soil ecosystem functions, through the direct provision of organic matter, and by influencing soil biota. Finally, over 15 years of application, EFB appears to be effective in maintaining or increasing annual crop yield in comparison to chemical fertiliser treatment. Temporal changes in crop yield under EFB application appear to be associated with climatic conditions and soil organic carbon. Overall, these findings improve our understanding of the potential of oil palm residue applications to increase soil quality, soil biota, and ecosystem functions. They also provide useful information for a wider audience of soil ecologists, agricultural managers, and policy makers to improve sustainable management of the oil palm ecosystem.

There are apprehensions that genetic modification of maize with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may have negative effects on soil biodiversity, ecosystem processes and functions. This study aimed at determining the effect of Bt maize crop, Bt maize residues and its genetic modification on microbial biomass carbon (MBC), selected enzyme activities, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and N and P release patterns. The study was conducted under field, glasshouse and laboratory conditions. In 2010/2011 season, four maize cultivars; DKC 61-25B (Bt), DKC 61-24 (non-Bt), PAN 6Q-321B (Bt) and PAN6777 (non-Bt) were planted. Determination of MBC, enzyme activities and fungal spore count was done at 42, 70, and 105 days after planting (DAP). A loam soil amended with Bt or non-Bt maize leaf residues from a study of 2009/2010 season was incubated to investigate effects of Bt maize residues on MBC and soil enzyme activities. Leaf residues of Bt and non-Bt maize cultivars (DKC 61-25B, DKC 61-24, PAN 6Q-321B and PAN6777) were used and soil without residues was used as a control. Samples were collected at 7, 28 and 56 days of incubation (DOI). An incubation study was also carried out in the laboratory to determine the effect of Bt maize residues (i.e. leaf, stem and root) and its genetic modification on N and P release patterns. Residues of DKC 61-25B, DKC 61-24, PAN 6Q-321B and PAN6777and soil without residues as a control were incubated in the laboratory. After destructive sampling at 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 DOI, N in the form of NH4-N and NO3-N and P mineralisation were determined. Amendment of soil with residues enhanced MBC (p < 0.05) at all the sampling dates. For example MBC increased from 95 in the control to 146.3 mg/kg in the DKC 61-25B treatment at the end of the glasshouse trial. In the field DKC 61-25B had 9.1 mg/kg greater MBC than DKC 61-24, while PAN 6Q-321B had 23.9 mg/kg more MBC than PAN6777 at the end of the trial. However, no differences (p < 0.05) were observed in enzyme activities under field and glasshouse conditions except for dehydrogenase that had greater activity where DKC 61-25B and PAN 6777 were grown. There were no differences between the type of residues (Bt and non-Bt) on enzyme activities tested. However, differences were observed among the sampling dates. No effects of Bt maize crop on fungal spore count were observed. Similarly no differences were observed in leaf, stem and root tissues composition between Bt and non-Bt maize cultivars. Net N and P mineralisation from Bt maize cultivars did not differ from that of non-Bt maize cultivars. However, differences were observed among the cultivars. The results of this study suggested that Bt maize with Bt MON810 event can be grown in the central region of the Eastern Cape (EC), South Africa without affecting MBC, soil enzyme activities, VAM, and release of N and P nutrients from its residues.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influencia da configuração física do sistema de espalhamento de palha em colheitadeira de grãos na eficiência do espalhamento da palha, visando cobertura mais uniforme do solo de cultivo. Tal processo produzirá melhoramentos no próximo plantio, pois espalhamento mais uniforme de palha evita perdas de nutrientes do solo por incidência luz solar, assim como previne erosão hídrica e eólica. Para analisar a influencia dos parâmetros da configuração física do sistema espalhador de palha foram realizados testes alterando parâmetros como quantidade de pás, ângulo de pás, rotação dos rotores, diâmetro dos rotores, defletor central e vazão de material. Devido à importância econômica no cenário nacional e mundial, utilizou-se a cultura de soja e os testes foram realizados em laboratório seguindo as normas da Sociedade Americana de Engenheiros Agrícolas e Biológicos (ASAE). O trabalho visa fornecer dados que auxiliem designers no desenvolvimento de novos projetos de gerenciamento de resíduos, de modo que venham a aumentar a eficiência desses sistemas, contribuindo com o crescimento da agricultura em no país. Os resultados apontam que a geometria do defletor central apresenta o parâmetro de maior influencia na uniformidade de cobertura da palha ao solo. / The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of the physical configuration of the straw spread system in grain harvester on the efficiency of the straw spread, aiming at a more uniform coverage of the crop soil. This process will produce improvements in the next planting, because more uniform straw spread prevents soil nutrient losses by sunlight, as well as prevent water and wind erosion. In order to analyze the influence of the parameters of the physical configuration of the straw spreader system, tests were performed changing parameters such as blade quantity, blade angle, rotor rotation, rotor diameter, central deflector and material flow. Due to the economic importance in the national and world scenario, the soybean crop was used and the tests were carried out in laboratory according to the standards of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASAE). The work aims to provide data to assist designers in the development of new waste management projects, so that they will increase the efficiency of these systems, contributing to the growth of agriculture in the country. The results indicate that the geometry of the central baffle presents the parameter of greatest influence on the uniformity of covering of the straw to the soil.

No description available.

Six combinations of grazing, tillage, and herbicides were studied during 2 yr in a randomized block design to determine alfalfa (Medicago sativa) survival, corn (Zea mays) plant populations and corn growth in an alfalfa-corn rotation. Alfalfa was overseeded with rye (Secale cereale) in autumn prior to planting corn in spring of each year. Treatments were 1) non-grazed control with standard chemical treatments for no-till establishment of corn, 2) grazing alfalfa, then grazing rye until corn planting followed by dicamba application, 3) alfalfa grazing plus glyphosate prior to corn planting, 4) treatment 3 plus grazing prior to rye jointing, and 5) alfalfa grazing plus autumn application of glyphosate, 6) alfalfa grazing plus autumn disking (no herbicides). Grazing until corn planting decreased (P<0.05) alfalfa stands and rye biomass, but increased (P<0.05) corn plant populations and soil bulk density compared to shorter grazing periods. Grazing prior to rye jointing increased (P <0.05) soil bulk density and corn plant populations, and decreased (P<0.05) rye biomass compared to no spring grazing. Autumn disking decreased (P<0.05) bulk density, but generally provided less (P<0.05) control of alfalfa compared to autumn application of glyphosate. Autumn disking and glyphosate application (Trts. 5 and 6) increased (P<0.05) rye biomass compared to no autumn treatment (Trts. 3 and 4). Applying glyphosate prior to corn planting (Trts. 3 and 4) improved (P<0.05) corn populations and growth compared to autumn glyphosate or disking (Trts. 5 and 6) and was similar to conventional no-till establishment (Trt. 1). Herbicides were necessary to completely kill alfalfa, but grazing reduced TNC in alfalfa roots and alfalfa plant persistence. / Master of Science

O esforço global em diversificar a matriz mundial de combustíveis líquidos, busca substituir as fontes fósseis por renováveis. A produção de bioenergia derivada da biomassa assume importante papel neste cenário. A biomassa gerada após a colheita da cana-de-açúcar ganha destaque como matéria prima pela grande quantidade de material que pode ser usado para geração direta (queima) e indireta (biocombustíveis) de bioenergia. No entanto, ainda pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos da remoção de quantidades de palha de cana-de-açúcar voltado à produção de bioenergia sobre os atributos biológicos do solo. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da remoção da palha de cana-de-açúcar no carbono e nitrogênio microbiano e na comunidade microbiana do solo. O estudo foi conduzido em duas áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp. L.) nos municípios de Capivari, SP (Usina Bom Retiro) e Valparaíso, SP (Usina Univalem). Em Bom Retiro o experimento foi instalado em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico de textura franco-argilo-arenosa e, em Univalem foi um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico de textura arenosa. Em ambos locais, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos testados corresponderam a diferentes intensidades de remoção de palha de cana-de-açúcar (i.e., 100%; 75%; 50%; 0 de remoção; e aleiramento da quantidade remanescente na área após colheita), sendo 0; 3,4; 7,8; 16,6; 15,6 Mg ha-1 de palha em massa de matéria seca na Usina Bom Retiro e 0; 4,2; 8,7; 18,9; 23,3 Mg ha-1 na Usina Univalem. Um ano após a instalação do experimento, foram coletadas amostras de palha e de solo na camada 0-10 cm e, passados quatro meses após o segundo manejo de remoção da palha nos tratamentos foram coletadas amostras de palha e de solo nas camadas 0-5 e 5-10 cm. Os atributos avaliados foram: carbono e nitrogênio total da palha e do solo, fração mais oxidável do carbono do solo, carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana da palha e do solo e, quantificação de genes microbianos no solo. Os resultados mostraram que as quantidades de C e N totais no solo não apresentaram resposta em função das quantidades de palha, no entanto, a fração de C mais facilmente oxidável e o C e N microbiano apresentaram tendência de redução em função de maiores níveis de remoções de palha, sendo a resposta da biomassa microbiana mais expressiva no solo de textura arenosa (i.e., Univalem). Da mesma forma, as comunidades microbianas foram mais sensíveis às diferentes remoções de palha, apresentando maior abundância com menor remoção de palha. Desta forma, a remoção de elevadas quantidades da palha de cana-de-açúcar do campo, ao alterar a microbiologia do solo, pode ter consequências nas específicas funções exercidas por este compartimento, que garantem o bom funcionamento do solo e podem prevenir contra a degradação. Estes resultados podem servir de base para avaliações mais amplas que buscam uma estratégia sustentável de manejo da palha de cana-de-açúcar que garanta o bom funcionamento do solo / The global effort to diversify the global matrix of liquid fuels seeks to replace fossil sources by renewable ones. Bioenergy production derived from biomass plays an important role in this scenario. The biomass generated after the harvest of sugarcane stands out by the large amounts of straw that can be used for direct generation (burning) and indirect (biofuels) of bioenergy. However, little is know about the effects of sugarcane straw removal to bioenergy production on biological soil properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the straw removal on soil microbial carbon and nitrogen as well as on soil microbial community. The experiments were conducted in two areas cultivated with sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) in Capivari, SP (Bom Retiro) and Valparaíso, SP (Univalem). The soils studied were an Oxisoil with clay texture in Bom Retiro and an Ultisoil with sandy texture in Univalem. In both sites, the experimental designer was a randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. The treatments tested were decreasing intensities of sugarcane straw harvest (i.e., 100%; 75%; 50%; 0 removing of the original straw deposition) : i) Bom Retiro: 0; 3,4; 7,8; 16,6; 15,6 Mg ha-1 of dry matter of straw kept on soil surface; ii) Univalem: 0; 4,2; 8,7; 18,9; 23,3 Mg ha-1 of dry matter of straw kept on the soil surface. One year after experiment installation, straw and soil (0-10 cm layer) samples were collected. A new sugarcane straw and soil (0-5 and 5-10 cm) sampling was performed four months from the second deposition of sugarcane straw on the field. The attributes evaluated were: total and microbial C and N of straw and soil, soil easily-oxidizable C, straw and soil microbial genes quantification using qPCR method. Our results showed that soil C and N contents were not impacted by sugarcane straw removal. However, the fraction of easily-oxidizable C and microbial C and N tended to decrease due to increased straw removal, with a more significant microbial biomass response for the sandy soil site (Univalem). Likewise, microbial communities were also sensitive to straw management, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of gene copies with increasing intensities of sugarcane straw harvest. Therefore, we can concluded that the large amounts of sugarcane straw removal from field as affects soil microbiology, may have consequences in specific functions performed by microorganisms, which ensure the soil functioning and can prevent soil degradation. These results can serve as a basis for more comprehensive assessments that seek a sustainable crop residue management strategy for sugarcane, to ensure the proper functioning of the soil

O esforço global em diversificar a matriz mundial de combustíveis líquidos, busca substituir as fontes fósseis por renováveis. A produção de bioenergia derivada da biomassa assume importante papel neste cenário. A biomassa gerada após a colheita da cana-de-açúcar ganha destaque como matéria prima pela grande quantidade de material que pode ser usado para geração direta (queima) e indireta (biocombustíveis) de bioenergia. No entanto, ainda pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos da remoção de quantidades de palha de cana-de-açúcar voltado à produção de bioenergia sobre os atributos biológicos do solo. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da remoção da palha de cana-de-açúcar no carbono e nitrogênio microbiano e na comunidade microbiana do solo. O estudo foi conduzido em duas áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp. L.) nos municípios de Capivari, SP (Usina Bom Retiro) e Valparaíso, SP (Usina Univalem). Em Bom Retiro o experimento foi instalado em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico de textura franco-argilo-arenosa e, em Univalem foi um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico de textura arenosa. Em ambos locais, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos testados corresponderam a diferentes intensidades de remoção de palha de cana-de-açúcar (i.e., 100%; 75%; 50%; 0 de remoção; e aleiramento da quantidade remanescente na área após colheita), sendo 0; 3,4; 7,8; 16,6; 15,6 Mg ha-1 de palha em massa de matéria seca na Usina Bom Retiro e 0; 4,2; 8,7; 18,9; 23,3 Mg ha-1 na Usina Univalem. Um ano após a instalação do experimento, foram coletadas amostras de palha e de solo na camada 0-10 cm e, passados quatro meses após o segundo manejo de remoção da palha nos tratamentos foram coletadas amostras de palha e de solo nas camadas 0-5 e 5-10 cm. Os atributos avaliados foram: carbono e nitrogênio total da palha e do solo, fração mais oxidável do carbono do solo, carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana da palha e do solo e, quantificação de genes microbianos no solo. Os resultados mostraram que as quantidades de C e N totais no solo não apresentaram resposta em função das quantidades de palha, no entanto, a fração de C mais facilmente oxidável e o C e N microbiano apresentaram tendência de redução em função de maiores níveis de remoções de palha, sendo a resposta da biomassa microbiana mais expressiva no solo de textura arenosa (i.e., Univalem). Da mesma forma, as comunidades microbianas foram mais sensíveis às diferentes remoções de palha, apresentando maior abundância com menor remoção de palha. Desta forma, a remoção de elevadas quantidades da palha de cana-de-açúcar do campo, ao alterar a microbiologia do solo, pode ter consequências nas específicas funções exercidas por este compartimento, que garantem o bom funcionamento do solo e podem prevenir contra a degradação. Estes resultados podem servir de base para avaliações mais amplas que buscam uma estratégia sustentável de manejo da palha de cana-de-açúcar que garanta o bom funcionamento do solo / The global effort to diversify the global matrix of liquid fuels seeks to replace fossil sources by renewable ones. Bioenergy production derived from biomass plays an important role in this scenario. The biomass generated after the harvest of sugarcane stands out by the large amounts of straw that can be used for direct generation (burning) and indirect (biofuels) of bioenergy. However, little is know about the effects of sugarcane straw removal to bioenergy production on biological soil properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the straw removal on soil microbial carbon and nitrogen as well as on soil microbial community. The experiments were conducted in two areas cultivated with sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) in Capivari, SP (Bom Retiro) and Valparaíso, SP (Univalem). The soils studied were an Oxisoil with clay texture in Bom Retiro and an Ultisoil with sandy texture in Univalem. In both sites, the experimental designer was a randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. The treatments tested were decreasing intensities of sugarcane straw harvest (i.e., 100%; 75%; 50%; 0 removing of the original straw deposition) : i) Bom Retiro: 0; 3,4; 7,8; 16,6; 15,6 Mg ha-1 of dry matter of straw kept on soil surface; ii) Univalem: 0; 4,2; 8,7; 18,9; 23,3 Mg ha-1 of dry matter of straw kept on the soil surface. One year after experiment installation, straw and soil (0-10 cm layer) samples were collected. A new sugarcane straw and soil (0-5 and 5-10 cm) sampling was performed four months from the second deposition of sugarcane straw on the field. The attributes evaluated were: total and microbial C and N of straw and soil, soil easily-oxidizable C, straw and soil microbial genes quantification using qPCR method. Our results showed that soil C and N contents were not impacted by sugarcane straw removal. However, the fraction of easily-oxidizable C and microbial C and N tended to decrease due to increased straw removal, with a more significant microbial biomass response for the sandy soil site (Univalem). Likewise, microbial communities were also sensitive to straw management, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of gene copies with increasing intensities of sugarcane straw harvest. Therefore, we can concluded that the large amounts of sugarcane straw removal from field as affects soil microbiology, may have consequences in specific functions performed by microorganisms, which ensure the soil functioning and can prevent soil degradation. These results can serve as a basis for more comprehensive assessments that seek a sustainable crop residue management strategy for sugarcane, to ensure the proper functioning of the soil

A two year study was initiated in 2001 on a 2.4 ha site of mostly St. Amable loamy sand and shallow loamy sand at the Macdonald Campus Research Farm. This study sought to assess the effects of long term tillage and residue practices on soil physical properties and to relate these properties to their influence on total carbon, total nitrogen and soil microbial biomass-carbon. The site was set up as a factorial experiment with three tillage practices (no till---NT; reduced till---RT; and conventional till---CT) and two residue practices (with residue (grain corn), +R; without residue (silage corn), -R). Soil physical properties measured were bulk density, macroporosity at -6 kPa, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat ), dry aggregate distribution, soil moisture and soil temperature. Wheel versus non-wheel track bulk density was also determined in the NT plots. Total porosity, soil water characteristic curves and pore volume distribution were derived from field samples. Crop yield was also assessed. Tillage alone had an effect on total porosity, bulk density, pore diameter and macroporosity. No individual physical property was significantly affected by the residue treatments; however, the tillage and residue interaction was significant for Ksat, soil moisture and soil temperature. Dry aggregate distribution was not affected by either tillage, residue or the combination of the two. Tillage affected total carbon and total nitrogen in the 0--0.10 m depth. Soil microbial biomass-carbon was affected by residue inputs. Total carbon and nitrogen were influenced by the bulk density, but none of the other soil physical properties. Soil microbial biomass-carbon was not influenced by any of the physical properties. Tillage and residue practices had no significant effect on crop yield for either year.

[Truncated abstract] A greater adoption of stubble retention, minimum-till and no-till farming practices for the purposes of conserving soil, water and fertility requires a greater understanding of the complexity of physical and chemical interactions between the soil and crop residues. There is currently insufficient knowledge to allow reliable predictions of the effects of different residue types in different environments on soil fertility and crop growth, owing to the many residue characteristics and environmental interactions that have been shown to affect decomposition or nutrient release. The role of fibre and nutrient composition in nutrient release from crop residues, and implications for residue management techniques, were studied. Canola, lupin and field pea residues, obtained from farmland in Meckering and Northam, Western Australia, were separated into upper and basal stems, leaves, and siliques or pods. This was done to provide materials with a wide range of chemical and physical characteristics, and also allowed consideration of differential residue management of plant organs, such as comparing harvested canola siliques and retained canola stubble. Pre-treatment by chopping and/or humidification was applied to residues to provide some information about the processes of nutrient release. Residues were subjected to simulated rainfall to assess nutrient leaching from plant material, and placed on soil in pots in constant-temperature glasshouse conditions to assess decomposition. Amounts and rates of change of residue fibre and nutrients were determined throughout leaching and decomposition. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis was used to assess the location of diffusible ions in air-dried residues and the effects of humidification on nutrient positioning and release. ... However, the release of calcium and magnesium depended on the decomposition of the more recalcitrant components such as cellulose and lignin, as supported by microscopy results showing changes in nutrient distribution following humidification. The proportionality of amounts of calcium and magnesium leached and released during decomposition is likely to suggest a similarity of chemical form more than similarity of function or position of the two elements. Management of crop residues for maximising and optimising the timing of release of different nutrients will need to take into account the placement of different plant types and parts, particle sizes distribution and pre-treatment of material to efficiently manage short- and long-term soil fertility to sustain crops, particularly on degraded soils. Significant nutrient release of potassium, sulphur and magnesium from crop residues can be achieved from surface placement, with the release of potassium and sulphur managed by modifying residue particle size through appropriate harvesting, ploughing or sowing implement selection. High nutrient uptake crops and plant parts –where they can be economically viable to grow or separated by the harvesting technique – are particularly valuable as sources of nutrients and soil organic matter.