Orientadora: Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra / Banca: Renato Farias do Valle Junior / Banca: Sérgio Campos / Banca: José Frederico Centurion / Banca: João Antonio Galbiatti / Resumo: A retirada da cobertura vegetal original e a implantação de áreas de pastagem e canade- açúcar, com práticas de manejo inadequadas, acarretam modificações nas propriedades químicas, físicas e biológicas dos solos, com limitações na utilização agrícola e susceptibilidade à erosão. Assim, estudos dos processos físicos e químicos são importantes para avaliar as mudanças de origem natural ou antrópica sobre os meios. O estudo teve como objetivos avaliar os atributos químicos e físicos de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo em três microbacias hidrográficas, em áreas de vegetação nativa, pastagem e cana-de-açúcar bem como analisar a ocorrência das áreas de maior escoamento superficial e, consequentemente, maior predisposição ao processo erosivo nas microbacias. A área de estudo compreendeu a microbacia hidrográfica do Córrego da Fazenda Glória, Município de Taquaritinga, Estado de São Paulo. Para a amostragem do solo foi realizada a caracterização do volume superficial, e essas amostras foram coletadas na superfície das vertentes das microbacias e em cada uso/ocupação selecionado. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados por meio da comparação de médias para o teste de Tukey a 5%. A partir das curvas de nível da carta topográfica e dos pontos levantados com receptor geodésico de navegação com metodologia diferencial foi gerado uma malha de pontos georreferenciados em cada microbacia, para gerar o modelo numérico do terreno a partir da incorporação dos divisores de água e da rede de drenagem. As avaliações dos atributos físicos e químicos dos solos nas microbacias hidrográficas e em diferentes tipos de uso e ocupação demonstraram uma diferença significativa entre as áreas. O manejo do solo alterou os atributos químicos e físicos com impacto nas camadas superficiais do solo. A matéria orgânica foi um dos atributos mais sensíveis... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The removal of original vegetation cover and the deployment of pastures and sugarcane, with inadequate management practices, cause changes in the chemical, physical and biological properties of soils, with limitations on agricultural use and susceptibility to erosion. Thus, studies of physical and chemical processes are important to assess changes of natural development or anthropic on the means. The study was conducted to evaluate the physical and chemical attributes of a Ultisol in three watersheds, in areas of native vegetation, pasture and sugarcane, as well as, analyze the occurrence of the areas of greatest runoff and, consequently, greater predisposition to erosive processes in watersheds. The study area was the Córrego da Fazenda Glória watershed, Municipality of Taquaritinga, State of São Paulo. Soil sampling was performed to characterize the superficial volume, and these samples were collected on the surface of the watersheds and in three different land use selected. The results obtained were evaluated by the comparison of averages for the Tukey test at 5%. From the curves in a topographical map and from points collected with geodetic navigation receiver in a differential methodology was generated a digital elevation method in each watersheds. The assessments of physical and chemical attributes of soils in hydrographic watersheds and different land uses demonstrated a significant difference between the areas. Soil management altered the chemical and physical attributes impact in the soil superficial layers. The organic matter was one of the attributes more sensitive to changes due to agricultural practices. The digital terrain model showed a great potential, considering the scale of study of watersheds; and can help in spatial planning, urban and regional planning and zoning / Doutor

No description available.

Two studies were initiated in the Virginia southern Piedmont to assess characterization, classification, and productivity of soils mapped as Cecil-Pacolet (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludults). Effects of erosion on Ap and Bt soil properties and soybean grain yields were studied in Pittsylvania and Lunenburg counties. Relationships between soil properties, soybean yields, and erosion classes were not observed until the soils became severely eroded. Water contents at -10kPa and -1500kPa increased as clay content increased but plant available water remained at 0.09 m³ m⁻³ across erosion classes. Available phosphorus (P) decreased with severity of erosion and was significantly correlated with soybean yield. The highest grain yields were on slightly and moderately eroded soils and were attributed to available P levels above 18 mg P kg⁻¹ critical level for optimum crop production. Low yields on the severely eroded sites corresponded to available P below 18 mg kg⁻¹. A second study on composition and variability of the Cecil-Pacolet map unit in Appomattox County showed large variation in soil properties and taxonomic classes. Variability is attributed to intrusions of mafic materials in the map unit. Variability was extreme within delineated soil bodies and was reflected in taxonomic classification in which up to six taxa can occur within the same delineation. Cecil and Pacolet soils comprise 62 percent of the map unit. Similar soils comprise 70 percent of the map unit and dissimilar soils make up the remaining 30 percent. The map unit is named Pacolet-Cecil and dissimilar soils are included in the mapping unit description. / Master of Science

Thesis (PhD (Soil Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Trace elements occur naturally in soils, usually at low concentrations (<0.1% or <1000 mg kg-1 of the earth’s crust), as a result of weathering and pedogenic processes acting on the rock fragments from which soil develops (parent material). Since about 98% of human food is produced on land, soil is the primary source supplying these elements to the food chain. Although cases of trace element deficiency and toxicity have been documented in many parts of South Africa, no comprehensive description of trace element concentration has yet been attempted for South Africa as a whole. The Natural Resources Land Type mapping project, initiated in the mid-1970s, has provided a collection of samples (approximately 4500) from soil profiles selected to represent the main soil forms in each land type and therefore to provide representative coverage of most of the soils of South Africa. These archived samples have now been analysed for a spectrum of trace elements, in terms of both available and total concentrations as well as other soil properties. Although detailed information is available on a wide range of trace metals, the seven trace metals considered to be of most interest in a South African context due to natural geological occurrences were selected for this study, including Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn. This data was used to: • determine baseline concentrations in SA soils; • determining threshold values for South African agricultural soils receiving sewage sludge at agronomic rates; • determining the influence of certain soil properties on the baseline concentrations of these trace elements in SA soils; and • development of a bioavailable trace element distribution map for SA. The range, the mean and standard deviation (both arithmetic and geometric), and the median were used to summarize the data statistically. The baseline concentration range was calculated using the quotient and product of the geometric mean and the square of the geometric standard deviation, including data below the instrument detection limit. The upper limit of the baseline concentration range was set at the 0.975 percentile value of the population in order to minimize the influence of contamination and the lower limit at the 0.025 percentile value to minimize problems that might be associated with analytical uncertainty near the lower limit of detection. The quantile regression statistical approach was followed to illustrate the relationship between soil properties and trace element concentrations in soils. The soil properties that showed the strongest relation were CEC, clay content, pH (H2O) and S value (base status). The soils were then divided into different classes according to these soil properties and baseline concentrations were derived for the different classes. Soils with low clay contents have lower trace element concentrations than soils with higher clay contents, soils with low or high pH levels have lower trace element contents than soils with intermediate pH values and mesotrophic soils have higher trace element concentrations than dystrophic soils. This information is useful for the compilation of trace element distribution maps for South Africa where different soil forms and series/families could be classified into different classes to determine areas of potential deficiencies as well as toxicities. South Africa, with its diverse geology, has areas of both trace element toxicities and deficiencies and for decision-making purposes it is necessary to identify these areas. Mapping of trace element levels based on soil samples would provide valuable information, which cannot be obtained from geological or geographical maps. Statistical analyses of the data (clay %, base status, pH (H2O) and NH4EDTA extractable trace element concentrations) indicated that soils could be divided into five trace element classes based on their clay content, pH and base status (dystrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic). The soil series according to the binomial soil classification system for South Africa were then divided into these different classes. The geometric means for each clay class were determined and the baseline concentration range for each class was calculated. The land type maps were used as basis for the distribution maps. A general trace element distribution map for South Africa was derived from this data as well as Cu and Zn distribution maps. A random selection of 500 soil samples across the country was used to verify the accuracy of the distribution map. The general trace element distribution map indicate, with a confidence level between 89 and 96%, where the potentially available trace element content of South African soils are low (deficient) too moderately high, excluding rocky areas and areas with limited soil. The Cu and Zn maps indicate the distribution and expected baseline concentrations of these specific elements in South African soils. The same methodology could be applied to derive risk maps for all the individual trace elements to indicate the distribution and expected baseline concentrations of the elements in South Africa. This presentation of baseline concentrations, reflecting likely natural ranges in South African soils, is the first quantitative report on the spatial extent and intensity of Zn, Cu and Co deficiency in South African soils. The proposal of new threshold values for trace elements in agricultural soils will be valuable in setting more realistic norms for environmental contamination that accommodate the geochemical peculiarities of the region, one example being rather high Cr and Ni concentrations with low bio-availability. This information should be of value not only in environmental pollution studies but also in health, agriculture, forestry and wildlife management. The following recommendations are made: • The baseline concentrations could be used to determine site specific threshold values based on soil properties and soil type. Soils with lower pH, clay content and CEC would require more protection than soils with high pH, clay content and CEC and therefore the threshold levels for these soils should be lower. • Although the distribution maps can be used to indicate broad areas of trace element deficiencies and toxicities, more detailed investigations are recommended for areas where problems are experienced. The same methodology could be applied on smaller scale to increase the value of the map and to add more value on a regional scale. The maps could be used for regional soil quality assessment especially in areas where trace element deficiencies or toxicities could result in negative effects on plants and animals.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Biochar is a carbon-rich solid material produced during pyrolysis, which is the thermal degradation of biomass under oxygen limited conditions. Biochar can be used as a soil amendment to increase the agronomic productivity of low potential soils. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying locally-produced biochar on the fertility of low-nutrient holding, sandy soil from the Western Cape, and to determine the optimum biochar application level. Furthermore, this study investigates the effect of biochar on the leaching of an inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and a multi-element fertilizer from the sandy soil. The biochar used in this study was produced from pinewood sawmill waste using slow pyrolysis (450 °C). The soil used was a leached, acidic, sandy soil from Brackenfell, Western Cape. In the first study, the sandy soil mixed with five different levels of biochar (0, 0.05, 0.5, 0.5 and 10.0 % w/w) was chemically characterised. Total carbon and nitrogen, pH, CEC and plant-available nutrients and toxins were determined. The application of biochar resulted in a significant increase in soil pH, exchangeable basic cations, phosphorus and water holding capacity. A wheat pot trial using the biochar-amended soil was carried out for 12 weeks and to maturity (reached at 22 weeks). The trial was conducted with and without the addition of a water-soluble broad spectrum fertilizer. Results showed that biochar improved wheat biomass production when added at low levels. The optimum biochar application level in the wheat pot trial was 0.5 % (approximately 10 t ha-1 to a depth of 15 cm) for the fertilized treatments (21 % biomass increase), and 2.5 % (approximately 50 t ha-1 to a depth of 15 cm) for unfertilized treatments (29 % biomass increase). Since most biochars are alkaline and have a high C:N ratio, caution should be taken when applying it on poorly buffered sandy soil or without the addition of sufficient nitrogen to prevent nutrient deficiencies. In the second study, leaching columns packed with sandy soil and biochar (0, 0.5, 2.5 and 10.0 % w/w) were set up to determine the effect of biochar on inorganic nitrogen fertilizer leaching over a period of 6 weeks. It was found that biochar (0.5, 2.5, and 10.0 % w/w) significantly reduced the leaching of ammonium (12, 50 and 86 % respectively) and nitrate (26, 42 and 95 % respectively) fertilizer from the sandy soil. Moreover, biochar (0.5 %) significantly reduced the leaching of basic cations, phosphorus and certain micronutrients. This study demonstrated the potential of biochar as an amendment of acidic, sandy soils. Our findings suggest that an application rate of 10 t ha-1 should not be exceeded when applying biochar on these soils. Furthermore, biochar application can significantly reduce nutrient leaching in sandy agricultural soils. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Biochar is ʼn koolstof-ryke, soliede materiaal geproduseer gedurende pirolise, wat die termiese degradasie van biomassa onder suurstof-beperkte omstandighede behels. Biochar kan gebruik word as ʼn grondverbeterings middel om die agronomiese produktiwiteit van grond te verhoog. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die effek van plaaslike vervaardigde biochar op die vrugbaarheid van die sanderige grond van die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek, en om die optimale biochar toedieningsvlak te bepaal. Verder, het hierdie studie die effek van biochar op die loging van anorganiese stikstof kunsmis en ‘n multi-elementkunsmis op sanderige grond ondersoek. Die biochar wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, is van dennehout saagmeul afval vervaardig d.m.v. stadige pirolise (450 °C). Die grond wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, is ‘n geloogde, suur, sanderige grond van Brackenfell, Wes-Kaap. In die eerste studie, is ‘n chemiesie ondersoek van die sanderige grond wat vermeng met is met vyf verskillende vlakke van biochar (0, 0.05, 0.5 en 10.0 % w/w) uitgevoer. Totale koolstof en stikstof, pH, KUK, en plant-beskikbare voedingstowwe en toksiene is in die grondmengsels bepaal. Die toediening van biochar het ‘n veroorsaak dat die grond pH, uitruilbare basiese katione, fosfor en waterhouvermoë beduidend toegeneem het. ‘n Koringpotproef was uitgevoer vir 12 weke en ook tot volwassenheid (wat op 22 weke bereik was) om die effek van die biochar op die sanderige grond teen die vyf verskillende toedieningsvlakke te bepaal. Daar was behandelings met en sonder die bykomstige toediening van ‘n wateroplosbare breë-spektrumkunsmis. Resultate toon dat die toediening van biochar teen lae vlakke koringbiomassa produksie verbeter. Die optimale biochar toedieningsvlak in die koringpotproef is 0.5 % (omtrent 10 t ha-1 tot ‘n diepte van 15 cm) vir die bemeste behandeling (21 % biomassa toename), en 2.5 % (omtrent 50 t ha-1 na ‘n diepte van 15 cm) vir onbemeste behandelings (29 % biomassa toename). Aangesien die meeste biochars alkalies is en ‘n hoë C:N verhouding besit, moet sorg gedra word wanneer dit op swak-gebufferde of lae N-houdende sanderige gronde toegedien word. Die resultate het aangedui dat die biochar versigtig aangewend moet word om grond oorbekalking te voorkom. In die tweede studie, was kolomme gepak met 2.0 kg van die sanderige grond gemeng met biochar (0, 0.05, 0.5, 2.5 en 10.0 % w/w) om die effek van biochar op die loging die anorganiese stikstof kunsmis oor ‘n tydperk van 6 weke om vas te stel. Daar is gevind dat biochar (0.5, 2.5 en 10.0 % w/w) die loging van ammonium (12, 50 en 86 % onderskeidelik) en nitraat (26, 42 en 95 % onderskeidelik) op sanderige grond aansienliek verminder. Verder, het biochar (0.5 %) die loging van basiese katione, fosfor en mikrovoedingstowwe aansienlik verminder. Hierdie studie het die potensiaal van biochar as verbeteringmiddel van suur, sanderige grond gedemonstreer. Ons bevindinge dui daarop aan dat ‘n toepassing vlak van 10 t ha-1 moet nie oorskry word nie wanneer biochar op hierdie gronde toegedien word. Die toediening van biochar op sanderige grond kan die loging van voedingstowwe aansienlik verlaag.

<p>For many surface waters, phosphorus (P) leaching is a serious problem that should be minimized to prevent eutrophication. In Sweden there is a demand for physical and technical development of high-performance P removal techniques to reduce phosphorus leaching from on-site wastewater treatment systems to the Baltic Sea. However, although these systems are designed to reduce eutrophication there are also other environmental impacts to be considered when implementing them in on-site systems; energy use and global warming potential are two examples. This study has investigated several bed filter materials (reactive media and natural soils) for their total environmental impact (in commercial applications) as well as for the predominating chemical phosphorus removal mechanisms. The use of life cycle assessment revealed that several reactive bed filters are relatively energy-consuming due to the material manufacturing process. Characterization of phosphorus compounds in used reactive media provided evidence for calcium phosphate precipitation as the predominating P removal mechanism in alkaline filter materials. However, in soil treatment systems with noncalcareous soils, batch experiments and extractions suggested that aluminium compounds were important for P removal. According to mass balance calculations that compared accumulated P with the estimated P load in a soil treatment system, the long term P removal capacity was very low; only 6.4 % of the applied phosphorus had been removed during 16 years of operation.</p>

A preocupação com o destino de produtos químicos e água, aplicados ao solo, tem motivado vários pesquisadores a desenvolverem e aplicarem modelos teóricos, objetivando descrever os processos físicos envolvidos no transporte desses produtos no perfil do solo. Nesse sentido, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo a aplicação do modelo Hydrus-1D para simulação do movimento da água e dos íons nitrato e potássio, em condições de laboratório, utilizando-se para tal colunas segmentadas preenchidas com dois tipos de solo não-saturado (Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo e Nitossolo Vermelho), bem como avaliar o desempenho e sensibilidade do referido modelo. Para a obtenção dos parâmetros de transporte de cada soluto, foram elaboradas as curvas de distribuição de efluentes (Breakthrough Curves BTC). Os parâmetros de transporte obtidos e as condições de contorno de cada ensaio foram inseridos no modelo Hydrus- 1D para realização das simulações. O desempenho do modelo foi avaliado com base nos parâmetros estatísticos: erro máximo, erro absoluto médio, raiz quadrada do erro médio normalizado, coeficiente de massa residual, coeficiente de determinação, eficiência e índice de concordância de Willmott. A sensibilidade do modelo foi avaliada conforme o método proposto por McCuen e Snyder (1986) e a análise foi aplicada aos parâmetros: fluxo de entrada, condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado, teor de água na saturação, alfa e n (parâmetros de ajuste da curva de retenção), coeficiente de distribuição e dispersividade. Os resultados experimentais mostraram que o deslocamento do íon nitrato acompanhou a frente de molhamento e em relação ao potássio, observou-se uma maior retenção nas camadas superficiais da coluna de solo, para ambos os solos. Pôde-se concluir que o modelo Hydrus-1D foi eficiente para simulações de deslocamento de potássio e água para ambos os solos estudados e mediante a utilização do modelo de equilíbrio para o transporte de solutos no solo, o modelo Hydrus-1D não foi eficiente para simular o deslocamento de nitrato, para ambos os solos. Os procedimentos experimentais para estimativa de parâmetros de transporte, como as curvas de distribuição de efluentes, foram suficientes para descrever a movimentação de potássio no solo, gerando informações de entrada precisas para os modelos de simulação. Para a simulação do deslocamento do íon nitrato, concluiu-se que o modelo Hydrus-1D requer um processo experimental mais detalhado, sendo necessária a estimativa de um maior número de parâmetros de transporte. Em relação à análise de sensibilidade, ao simular os teores de potássio e água no solo, o modelo apresentou maior sensibilidade aos parâmetros teor de água na saturação e fluxo de entrada da solução. Tais parâmetros, portanto, precisam ser determinados com maior precisão. Houve baixa sensibilidade aos parâmetros condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado e dispersividade, para ambos os solos estudados. / The concern about the fate of chemical products and water, applied to the soil, has been motivating several researchers to develop and apply theoretical models, aiming to describe the physical processes involved in the transport of those products in soil profile. The present research had as objective the application of the model Hydrus- 1D for water and solute (nitrate and potassium) simulation profile, in laboratory conditions, using soil columns filled with two types of unsaturated soil (Oxisol (Haplustox) and Hapludox), as well to evaluate the acting and sensitivity of the model. The transport parameters were obtained for each solute by breakthrough curves (BTCs). The transport parameters obtained and the boundary conditions were inserted in the Hydrus-1D model to realize the simulations. The acting of the Hydrus-1D model was evaluated using the statistical indicators: maximum error, mean absolute error, normalized root mean-square error, coefficient of residual mass, determination coefficient, efficiency and Willmott concordance index. The model sensitivity was evaluated by the method proposed by McCuen and Snyder (1986) and applied to the parameters: input flow, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, water content (saturation point), alpha and n (soil water retention curve parameters), distribution coefficient and dispersivity. The obtained results, experimentally, showed the nitrate displacement following the wetting front and, in relation to the potassium ion, a larger retention was observed at the superficial soil columns layers. Therefore, was possible to conclude that Hydrus-1D model was efficient for both water and potassium displacement simulations, for both studied soils and by the balance model for solute transport in soil, the Hydrus- 1D model was not efficient to simulate the nitrate displacement in both soils. The experimental procedures to estimate transport parameters, by the BTCs, were enough to describe the potassium movement in soil, generating input information necessary to the model simulation. To the simulation of the nitrate displacement, was possible to conclude that the model Hydrus-1D requests a more detailed experimental process, being necessary the estimate of a larger number of transport parameters. In relation to the sensitivity analysis of the Hydrus-1D model, when simulated the content of potassium and water at the soil columns, was observed that the model shows more sensitivity about to the parameters: water content (saturation point) and input flow. This parameters need to be estimated with more precision. There was a low sensitivity to the parameters soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and dispersivity for both studied soils.

O uso de efluente de esgoto tratado (EET) na agricultura apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável por se tratar de uma fonte de umidade e de nutrientes minerais aos sistemas agrícolas, aliado à redução da utilização de água de boa qualidade na irrigação, bem como a diminuição da descarga do EET nos rios, minimizando assim possíveis danos ambientais. Entretanto, deve-se ressaltar a importância do monitoramento contínuo do sistema solo-planta em razão do risco da utilização de águas residuárias, sobretudo aquelas ricas em sódio. Desse modo, esse trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o conhecimento dos efeitos da aplicação de EET no sistema solo-cana-de-açúcar, avaliando possíveis alterações químicas do solo e da planta, e a qualidade do caldo. O experimento foi instalado num campo experimental situado em Lins, São Paulo. A adubação mineral de plantio consistiu na aplicação de metade da dose recomendada do adubo nitrogenado, 15 kg ha-1 de N (nitrato de amônio), 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 (superfosfato simples) e 80 kg ha-1 de K2O (cloreto de potássio). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos com parcelas subdivididas no tempo com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: SI, sem irrigação; 100 %, umidade do solo na capacidade de campo; 125, 150 e 200% que corresponderam a 25, 50 e 100% a mais da umidade do solo na capacidade de campo, respectivamente. Foram observados aumentos nas concentrações de sódio (Na) nas folhas, fósforo (P) e cálcio (Ca) no caldo, e potássio (K) no colmo. Para os micronutrientes houve diminuições nas concentrações de manganês (Mn) e zinco (Zn) na folha, no caldo e no colmo, e no caso do ferro (Fe) a diminuição ocorreu no caldo. A irrigação com EET não ocasionou prejuízos a qualidade dos colmos industrializáveis. As maiores produtividades foram observadas nos tratamentos 100 e 150, 247,33 e 232,81 t ha-1, respectivamente. No solo, houve incrementos do pH, das concentrações de P, Na, B e Fe, e um decréscimo nas concentrações de Ca, magnésio (Mg), K e cobre (Cu). Os teores de matéria orgânica (MO) decresceram em todo perfil do solo e, os teores de carbono total (CT) e nitrogênio total (NT) não apresentaram alterações em razão da irrigação com EET. A não utilização da dose completa do adubo nitrogenado não implicou na queda da produtividade da cana-planta. As perspectivas para a irrigação da cana-de-açúcar com EET são promissoras, demandando estudos de longo prazo para confirmação dos resultados até agora obtidos e também para o monitoramento de possíveis prejuízos que possam vir a ocorrer no sistema solo-planta. / The use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) in agriculture is a viable alternative once it is a source of humidity and mineral nutrients to the agricultural systems, allied to the reduction of good quality water consumption for agricultural irrigation, as well as the reduction of the discharge of TSE in the water courses, thus minimizing possible environmental damages. However, it should be standed out the importance of the continuous monitoring of the soil-plant system because of the risks represented by the wastewater use, overall those rich in sodium. In this manner, this work aimed to contribute to the knowledge of TSE application effects in the soil-sugarcane system, evaluating the chemical alterations of the soil and the plant, and also the quality of the soup. The experiment was installed in an experimental area situated at Lins, São Paulo State. The mineral fertilization at planting was half of the recommended nitrogen dose, 15 kg ha-1 of N (ammonium nitrate), and also 120 kg ha-1 of P (single superphosphate) and 80 kg ha-1 of K (potassium chloride). The experimental design was in complete blocks with split plots in time, with five treatments and four replicates. Applied treatments were: SI, without irrigation; 100%, soil humidity at the field capacity; 125, 150 and 200% that corresponded to 25, 50 and 100% more soil humidity than the field capacity, respectively. Increases in the concentrations of sodium (Na) in the leaves, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) in the soup, and potassium in the culms were observed. Considering the micronutrients, reductions on the concentrations of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the leaves, culms and soup occurred, while in the case of iron (Fe), observed reductions occurred for the soup. TSE irrigation has not prejudiced the quality of the industrialized culms. The highest yields were observed in the treatments 100 and 150, 247.33 and 232.81 t ha-1, respectively. Increments of the values of pH and concentrations of P, Na, boron (B) and Fe were obtained in the soil, while, in the case of Ca, magnesium (Mg), K and cupper (Cu) concentrations in the soil decreased. The organic matter levels decreased all over the soil profile and, the levels of total carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN) were not altered by the irrigation with TSE. The non-use of the mineral N fertilizer complete dose did not imply in the fall of the sugarcane-plant productivity. The perspectives for sugarcane irrigation with wastewater are promising, demanding however long-term studies in order to confirm the results obtained till the present moment, and also to the monitoring of possible damages that may occur in the soil-plant system.

A conservação da biodiversidade edáfica na Floresta Ombrófila Mista favorece os processos de decomposição e ciclagem de nutrientes, melhorando as propriedades físicoquímicas e biológicas do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial dos atributos da macrofauna edáfica, Fungos Micorrízicos Arbusculares (FMA) e de variáveis ambientais explicativas (físico-químicas e microbiológicas) como indicadores de qualidade do solo em duas épocas contrastantes (inverno e verão) em Floresta de Araucária do Estado de São Paulo. Foram avaliadas florestas com Araucaria angustifolia nativa (NF) e reflorestada (RF) em três regiões distintas do Estado de São Paulo. Cada floresta teve três repetições verdadeiras, nas quais, foram coletadas, ao acaso, quinze amostras de solo para avaliação dos atributos físicos (densidade, macroporosidade, microporosidade, porosidade total e umidade), químicos [pH, teores de carbono orgânico (C-org), P, Ca, Mg, K, Al e H+Al] e biológicos [macrofauna, FMA, carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal, quociente metabólico (qCO2) e atividade da desidrogenase (Desi)]. Nos mesmos pontos de amostragem, foram avaliadas a macrofauna edáfica, a densidade de FMA e a colonização micorrízica em raízes de araucária. Na serapilheira foi avaliada a massa seca (MSS) e foram determinados os teores de C, N e S. Os atributos físico-químicos e microbiológicos do solo e químicos da serapilheira foram submetidos à análise de variância (Two-way ANOVA). A abundância da macrofauna e de espécies de minhocas foram submetidas à Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e as variáveis microbiológicas, MSS, físico-químicas do solo e da serapilheira foram usadas como variáveis explicativas (VE). A abundância de espécies de FMA foi submetida à ACP e as variáveis físico-químicas do solo e da serapilheira foram usadas como VE. Adicionalmente, a abundância da macrofauna e as VE foram submetidas à Análise Canônica Discriminante (ACD) e a uma Análise de Correlação Canônica (ACC). A macrofauna apresentou maior riqueza de grupos no verão, sendo que a NF proporcionou a maior diversidade de grupos. A umidade, porosidade total, teor de S na serapilheira, pH, teor de K, CBM e respiração basal foram os atributos edáficos mais importantes para separar as áreas. O grupo Oligochaeta, principamente as espécies Ponthoscolex corethrurus e Amynthas spp., foram boas indicadoras de qualidade do solo e/ou de distúrbio na Floresta de Araucária. Encontraram-se 36 táxons de FMA, sendo os gêneros Glomus, Acaulospora e Scutellospora os mais abundantes. A espécie Ambispora appendicula apresentou a maior abundância relativa. No inverno, observou-se alta correlação da Desi e C-CO2 com pH e H+Al, enquanto que no verão, o C-org, umidade, Mg, pH e C da serapilheira se correlacionaram com a atividade da Desi e C-CO2. Os atributos H+Al, P, porosidade total, S da serapilheira e umidade do solo foram os mais importantes na separação das áreas, independente de épocas de coleta. / The conservation of edaphic biodiversity in Araucaria Forests favors the processes of decomposition and nutrient cycling, improving the physico-chemical and biological soil properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of the macrofauna, mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and environmental explanatory variables (physico, chemical and microbiological) as indicators of soil quality in two different contrasting seasons (winter and summer) in Araucaria Forests. We evaluated forests with native Araucaria angustifolia (NF) and reforested areas (RF) in three different regions in the State of São Paulo. Each forest had three true replicates, in which we collected at random, fifteen soil samples for evaluation of physical attributes (density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and moisture), chemical attributes [pH, organic carbon (org-C), P, Ca, Mg, K, Al and H+Al] and biological attributes [macrofauna, AMF, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (CO2-C), metabolic quotient (qCO2) and dehydrogenase activity (Desi)]. At the same sampling points we evaluated the edaphic macrofauna, the density of AMF and root colonization in Araucaria. We evaluated the litter dry matter (MSS) and analyzed the contents of C, N and S. The physico-chemical and microbiological soil attributes and the chemical litter attributes were submitted to analysis of variance (Two-way ANOVA). The abundance of macrofauna and of earthworm species were submitted to a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the microbiological variables, litter dry weight, physico-chemical attributes of soil and litter were used as explanatory variables (EV). The abundance of AMF species was submitted to the PCA and the physico-chemical variables of soil and litter were used as EV. Additionally, the abundance of macrofauna and EV were submitted to a Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) and to one Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). The macrofauna showed greater richness of groups in the summer, and the NF provided the highest diversity. Moisture, total porosity, S litter content, pH, K, MBC and basal respiration were the edaphic attributes most important to separate the areas. The group Oligochaeta, especially the species Ponthoscolex corethrurus and Amynthas spp., were good indicators of soil quality and/or disturbance in these Araucaria forests. We found 35 AMF taxons, and the genera Glomus, Acaulospora and Scutellospora were the most abundant. The species Ambispora appendicula showed the highest relative abundance. In winter, a high correlation of the microbiological attributes Desi and CO2-C with pH and H+Al was found, while in the summer, the org-C, moisture, Mg, pH and Carbon of the litter were more correlated with Desi activity and C-CO2. The attributes H+Al, P, total porosity, S of the litter and soil moisture were the most important attributes to discriminate the areas, regardless of the season.

A utilização de efluentes de esgoto tratado (EET) na irrigação, ao invés de realizar a disposição deste subproduto nos cursos d’água tem sido uma alternativa antiga, popular e atrativa, com triplo propósito: tratamento complementar do efluente, fonte de água e de nutrientes ao sistema solo-planta. Entretanto, no Brasil, há falta de tradição na reciclagem de águas residuárias, particularmente, do EET e, conseqüentemente, poucos têm sido as pesquisas relacionadas a este tema. Um experimento foi conduzido em Lins (SP), durante dois anos, com os objetivos principais de (i) testar a possibilidade de uso do efluente secundário de esgoto tratado (ESET) como uma fonte alternativa de água e de nitrogênio ao capim-Tifton 85; (ii) determinar as concentrações de nutrientes e elementos tóxicos em amostras de água potável (AP), ESET, plantas, solo e solução no solo; (iii) verificar o comportamento das argilas dispersas em água. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os cinco tratamentos estudados foram: (i) T1 (controle) - irrigação com AP e adição de 520 kg ha-1 ano-1 de nitrogênio via fertilizante mineral (NFM); (ii) T2, T3, T4 e T5 - irrigação com ESET e adição de 0, 171,6; 343,2 e 520 kg ha-1 ano-1 de NFM, respectivamente. As características da água e do efluente foram monitoradas mensalmente e o rendimento de massa seca (MS) do capim foi determinado bimestralmente. Durante 18 meses, foram realizadas análises para monitoramento das concentrações dos elementos nas plantas (folhas e colmos + bainhas), no solo e na solução no solo (até 100 cm de profundidade). Foi verificado que o ESET pode substituir eficientemente a AP de irrigação em sistema de produção de feno, proporcionando benefícios econômicos e aumento de qualidade do capim. Ainda, o ESET pode atuar como amenizador da acidez do solo. A magnitude de resposta do capim ao ESET, bem como da economia de NFM é dependente da precipitação pluvial e da lâmina de irrigação empregada. A substituição da AP pelo ESET, na irrigação do capim, pode levar à economia de 32,2 a 81,0% na dose de NFM necessária à obtenção de altos rendimentos, sem ocasionar alterações negativas no conteúdo de nutrientes nas plantas e na fertilidade do solo. Por outro lado, se os nutrientes presentes no ESET não forem computados no manejo da fertilização da pastagem, podem ocorrer incrementos no rendimento de MS e no acúmulo de elementos (inclusive de sódio), promovendo aumento de qualidade da forragem sem ocasionar efeitos deletérios no ambiente. As altas concentrações de sódio na AP (utilizada no tratamento controle), bem como no ESET indicam que o sistema solo-pastagem não suportará o elevado aporte deste elemento e pode ser necessário o uso de condicionador de solo. O aporte de nutrientes no sistema associado à manutenção de tensão hídrica adequada ao capim, pode promover mineralização da matéria orgânica do solo, reduzindo os estoques de carbono e nitrogênio. Ao que parece, a irrigação com ESET doméstico não proporcionará, em curto e médio prazo, excesso de boro e de metais pesados no sistema solo-pastagem. / Treated sewage effluent (TSE) utilization for irrigation represents an antique, popular and attractive alternative to the common disposal of effluent to watercourses and includes three main purposes: effluent complementary treatment, water and nutrient source to the soil-plant system. However, because in Brazil no experiences in wastewater recycling exists consequently few scientific studies were carried out despite the importance of the subject. For this study an experiment was conducted for two years in Lins (São Paulo State, Brazil). The main objectives were (i) to test the feasibility of secondary-treated sewage effluent (STSE) utilization as an alternative water and nitrogen source for Tifton 85 Bermudagrass; (ii) to evaluate concentrations of nutrients and toxic elements in potable water (PW), STSE, plant, soil and soil solution samples; (iii) to verify the behavior of dispersed clays in water. A randomized complete block design was used with four replications. Five treatments were applied: (i) T1 (control) - irrigation with PW plus 520 kg ha-1 year-1 nitrogen as mineral fertilizer (NMF); (ii) T2, T3, T4 and T5 - irrigation with STSE plus 0, 171.6, 343.2 and 520 kg ha-1 year-1 of NMF, respectively. Water and effluent characteristics were monthly monitored, and aboveground dry matter (DM) was measured bimonthly. Plant (leaves and culms + sheaths), soil and soil solution (up to 100 cm) were analyzed during 18 months, to monitor elements concentrations over the experimental period. It was verified that STSE can replace efficiently the PW used for irrigation for the production of hay. This replacement can provide economical benefits, enhancement of forage quality, and mitigation of soil acidity. The magnitude of grass productivity as well as of NMF economy is dependent on rain and the used irrigation rates. Considering the complete substitution of PW for irrigation by STSE, the necessary dose of NFM for obtaining high yields could be reduce by 32.2 to 81.0% without negative effects on nutrient contents in the grass and soil fertility. On the other hand, also by non-consideration the effluent nutrients in pasture fertilization management, it may occur increasing dry matter yields and element contents (inclusive sodium), enhancement of forage quality, and, moreover without deleterious environmental effects. Because of high sodium concentrations in PW (control) and the STSE, it is suggested that the pasture-soil system will not tolerate the high sodium input, a future conditioning of the soil will be necessary. The nutrient inputs to the system associated with an adequate soil moisture tension to the grass may increase soil organic matter mineralization followed by decrease of carbon and nitrogen stocks. In short and medium term periods it is assumed that the irrigation with domestic TSE will not negatively influence the soil-pasture system by high concentrations of boron and heavy metals.